Read: Exodus 19-21
Focus Verse: “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God,…” (Exodus 20:4-5a) “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misses his name.” (Exodus 20:7)
Devotion: When reading Exodus 20:7, part of the 10 commandments, something hit me. Now, more study is required to reach a conclusion, but “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name” 20:7. Misuse his name (usually talked about as take the name in vein) makes me think of Jesus in Mark 3:20 when the religious elites call Jesus the king of the demons (Beelzebul). In this instance Jesus calls this the unforgivable sin. That is, the recognition of good as evil, and evil as good. So is misusing God’s name only saying false things, or thinking the goodness of God is bad, or evil? I suppose if in someone’s mind they think God’s goodness is evil, then that’s something that couldn’t be asked for forgiveness, because forgiveness isn’t something you’d be able to recognize. So the misuse of God’s name is saying lies about God’s character. These lies lead others to believe those lies to be truths. Be careful not to speak of God’s goodness as anything other than goodness and love.
Pray: LORD help me to recognize your goodness in the world. Help me guard my heart so that I don’t lead others to think your goodness is anything but goodness and love. Amen!
Additional Scripture: “The LORD is my strength and my song; He has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise Him.” (Exodus 15:2)