Scriptures: Exodus 20:7, Genesis 1:1, Ephesians 5:4, Isaiah 48:1, Leviticus 19:12, Luke 6:46, Acts 4:12, Romans 10:13, Colossians 3:17, Proverbs 18:10

We don’t take names, especially God’s name, seriously as it was taken thousands of years ago. When the Hebrews were transcribing the Bible, copying the Word of God from scroll to scroll, a scribe would fast and pray before writing the name of God. He would bath himself and write the name of God with a brand new quill. After he wrote God’s name he would throw that pen away and burn it. His clothes would be burned. He would then continue to write, but once he came to the name of God, he would go through that same ritual all over again. In this message, Dr. Merritt focuses on the third commandment, and what it means to take the name of the Lord in vain. As we understand more about the importance of God's Holy Name, we'll also understand how to use His Name wisely and reverently.

"In biblical times parents chose names from ordinary nouns and verbs of everyday language; because then names were not just labels, names had meanings. In the biblical world a person’s name was a part of that person. It represented the inner core of that person; his very character and nature. The names of God likewise reveal something about the nature and character of God." --Dr. Merritt

Keywords: 10 Commandments, Ten Commandments, name, God, vain, Time Magazine, High Priest, Israel, Yahweh, character, nature, reveal, holy, Adonai, Lord, Master, Elyon, most high, King of Sodom, Abraham, El Shaddai, all sufficient, Almighty God, filthy, foolish, lightly, righteous, swear, authority, protection, Jesus, greatness, grace