For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

Last time
 

• The first four commandments amplify the "greatest commandment": to love the Lord our God with all our heart (Deuteronomy 6:5).
• As we learned, the first commandment is to worship God only, allowing no false god to capture our heart. The second forbids  concretely disobeying the first -- creating an idol. The third also follows from God's nature as holy and absolute: reverence for his name.

Text

• Third commandment
• Exodus 20:7: You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

Comments

• Taking the Lord's name in vain does not directly refer to "swearing" -- unless actual oaths are in view.
• God's name is misused when we appeal to it in an oath we do not intend to keep.
  • Under the new covenant, we do not need oaths.
  • Jesus' teaching (Matthew 5:33-37; see James 5:12) is susceptible of two understandings.
    • We are forbidden to make or take oaths.
    • We should be so trustworthy that we don't need oaths (or contracts, etc).
• God's name is also misused when it becomes a handle by which we aim to manipulate him:
  • To assure good luck
  • To receive "yes" answers to our prayers
  • To wring concessions from the Lord

Thought questions
 

• Do I have a mechanical approach to faith?
• How do I react with others dishonor God's name?
• Am I a man/woman of my word?
• Further study: listen to the podcast on The Name of God, in which I reason that
  • It is unnecessary to sign off prayers "in Jesus' name," as though failing to do so is like failing to put a stamp on your letter.
  • Baptisms are de facto in the name of Jesus Christ when performed to submit the one being baptized to the Lordship of Christ, regardless of which baptismal "formula" is used -- or any at all.
  • God's name represents his authority, presence, and nature.
     

Next time: the fourth commandment.