Follow the King

It is important to not only read the Bible as God instructed—but also to read the Bible as God intended.

Through the giving of His law, Yahweh is doing more than just restricting the actions of His people. He is revealing His character, pointing to the Messiah, and ensuring His people never forget who they were and where they came from.

Some understand the Old Testament to portray a power-hungry God who seeks to control His people with multiple rules, laws, and regulations—while the New Testament portrays a merciful, gracious God who doesn't care how we live as long as we believe Jesus died on the Cross. Both are incorrect views of God.

We have one God—whose mercy and love are clearly portrayed through the good news He promised His people in both Testaments. 

The third command is “Do not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain.”

Somehow that command has been reduced to the prohibition of saying, “God d—n” or “Jesus Christ” when one is upset or unhappy.

But if the name of God is Yahweh, if the Hebrew word for God is Elohim, and if the name Jesus would not be given for thousands of years—could that really be the intention of Yahweh by this third command?

What does it really mean to take the name of God in vain?

If our sin is not shielded by the mercy of God, we will stand justly condemned in our guilt. We need His mercy. Jesus is our Mercy Seat.

The same God who will punish sin and is faithful to His Word became our Mediator. 

Testings reveal who and what we trust and treasure. As we learn to trust and treasure Jesus, we must teach the next generation to do the same.

Just as Yahweh tested Israel in the wilderness and in the Promised Land, we continue to be tested during times of need and times of plenty. 

Are we passing or failing the test of recognizing our daily need for God, appreciating the material blessings of God, and treasuring the God of the blessings? 

Learning the biblical context and culture is crucial to understanding the original intent of the biblical authors. 

From the Old Testament to the New, the dramatic storyline of Scripture teaches that the kingdom of God is still expanding little by little as the four corners of the world come under the reign of King Jesus.

"Love God" is the greatest command because God knows His love is the only perfect love we will ever experience—and we will only experience His perfect love when we express our imperfect love to Him.