The 3rd and 4th Commandments
Deuteronomy 5:11-15
“You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name."
“Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your oxen and donkeys and other livestock, and any foreigners living among you. All your male and female servants must rest as you do. Remember that you were once slaves in Egypt, but the LORD your God brought you out with his strong hand and powerful arm. That is why the LORD your God has commanded you to rest on the Sabbath day." Deuteronomy 5:11-15
Pastor’s Blog
There are lots of ways to misuse the name of God, but I think you’ll be surprised at the most common misuse.
At the heart of the 3rd commandment is the prohibition against magic. Magic is the attempt to harness God’s power for personal ends (which is exactly what prayer in surrounding nations was all about). Godly prayer, on the other hand, is a response to a Loving God who is always providing what we need. It is here that we must differentiate between Jesus’ telling us to ask for anything (petition) and selfishness. The former honors a relationship. The latter treats God like a bellhop.
Of course, there are other ways to misuse the name of God. Among them is using “O my God” as an exclamation (God’s name should be preserved for honoring Him) or “Jesus Christ” in cursing.
The 4th commandment was modeled by God in creation (Genesis 2). It’s purpose is to foster dependence on God. We must remember that everything about our lives is due to the “strong hand and powerful arm” of God (vs 15). When we rest, we recall that it is He who creates, not we. If I am creative, it is because God is creative through me.
I loved learning the meaning of the duration of the Hebrew day. It begins at sunset when I go to bed. When I go to bed, God is at work. When I wake up, I enter a world where God is already creating and acting. My job is simply to join Him in what he is already doing.
Not to have a Sabbath (based on Jesus’ teaching in the Gospels, I believe it can be any day of the week that works for you) of rest and to focus on God is dangerously close to displacing God with your own sovereignty. Furthermore, Jesus said that the Sabbath is for our benefit. We NEED the Sabbath rest of God and the Sabbath reconnection with God, our souce of strength.
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Jeff, I never thought of the Hebrew day that way and I love the insight. I love knowing that God is working His hand in my life and of those around me as we rest.
ReplyDeleteThis past year has been one of many spiritual challenges for me, but I have grown more this past year than I have in a long time. And, mainly it is because my quiet time with God has been desired, consistent, and so dear to me, that I am just, well, grateful to Him for that. Sabbath principles, I think can be applied every day when we realize we are constantly in His presence (even if we don't feel it). He is with us every moment and learning to trust that has taken me a very long time. But, better late than never. I love you, Lord. Thank you, Jeff for your devotion to us through this blog.