Deu 28:58 If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD.

In this chapter, Moses announced a series of blessings and cursing to Israel. The nation would be blessed if they obeyed God and cursed if they didn’t. God had given them the Law. The Law was for them to know God and how they should reverent Him: "You must obey all the commands and teachings that are written in this book. And you must respect the wonderful and awesome name of the LORD your God” (verse 58, ERV).

God’s name is glorious (KJV), fearful (KJV), wonderful (ERV) and awesome (ERV). Nations are to fear this name and not use it in vain. The third commandment given to Israel was: “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain” (Exodus 20:7).

The word “vain” is the Hebrew word “shav” which means “emptiness, vanity, falsehood, nothingness, vanity, lying, and worthlessness” (BDB Hebrew Dictionary). Hence, to misuse God's name means literally, "to lift it up to or attach it to emptiness or worthlessness".

Here are various translations of Exodus 20:7:

(ERV)  You must not use the name of the LORD your God to make empty promises.

(YLT)   Thou dost not take up the name of Jehovah thy God for a vain thing.

(ISV)  You are not to misuse the name of the LORD your God.

We see that to use God’s name in vain is to misuse and treat it like nothing. No one is to use the Lord's name in this manner.

What are some of the ways we take the name of God in vain? Here are some:

1. SWEARING – Watch your mouth; you have been warned: “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:36).

Unfortunately, I have heard many Christians use God's name in vain and think nothing of it. Words like “O my God”, “Jesus” and “God damned it” should not be the kind of words Christians or anyone uttered from their mouths. Some try switching the word and so, instead of saying Oh my God they say something else, O my Gosh. It does not change fact they are using the name of God in vain. God’s name is holy and it must be used with respect.

2. FAILURE TO LIVE A CHRISTIAN LIFE – When you say you’re Christian and you say you live for Jesus, but your life tells a different story, you are using the name of God in vain. The name Christian has Christ attached to it. It is a name given by God (Acts 11:26). It is a biblical name. It tells others that this person who calls himself a Christian is a follower of Christ.

The Jews, who prided themselves as the chosen people of God did not live as children of God and caused the name of God to be evil spoken of by the Gentiles (Romans 2:24  ). Likewise, Christians who fail to live as children of God fall into the same condemnation of taking the name of God in vain. The name of Christ is blasphemed by their wayward living (1 Timothy 6:1).

When we take the name “Christian” upon ourselves, we must do so with an understanding of all that it signifies. Our words and lifestyles must match that glorious name that is given to us. Therefore, if we profess to be Christians, but act, think, and speak in a worldly or profane manner, we take His name in vain. God’s name is holy. Let us not use His name in vain: “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name” (Matthew 6:9).

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.

Deu 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.

Life or death, blessing or cursing; it was a question Moses propositioned Israel. The choice was left to them, and in urging upon them the inducements to a wise choice, Moses appealed to their senses: “therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” Obviously the sensible choice is to choose life that they and their posterity might live comfortably and happily, quietly and safely, and constantly, and for a very long time, in the land of Canaan.

What can we learn from this single verse?

1. Man Has The Freedom To Choose To Love God Or Not – God creates man a free moral being. There was never a time when man was forced to love and believe in God; never in the past and neither today nor in the future. At the end of Revelation, we see the Spirit and the Bride extending the invitation to the world: “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelations 22:17). “Whosoever will” means no soul is excluded: Jesus died for every man; every man may be saved; therefore let him who wills, who wishes for salvation, come and take the water of life freely; the choice is theirs.

2. In Making A Choice, Man Is In Fact Choosing His Destiny – He is choosing blessing or cursing, eternal live or eternal death. Unfortunately, there are many who deliberately choose eternal death. I have talked to people who don’t want God in their lives. They said they prefer to be in hell with their friends and loved ones than to be in heaven with God and Christians. Those who choose not to believe in God is choosing hell as their final destination: “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24).

3. Man Is Not Free To Choose The Consequences Of His Choice – In this world, we accept that one must bear the consequence of his choice. A thief will be caught one day and suffer for his deeds. One who eats and refuses to exercise will suffer the consequence of sickness associated with idleness and gluttony. The consequence is attached to the type of choice one made. Man cannot choose the consequence. Likewise, one cannot hope to go to heaven while rejecting the love of God. “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18).

4. Man’s Choice Will Affect His Children. Moses said: “Therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” Does it ever occur to you that your choice will affect your little ones? Do you know that your children are following you? Yes, children will follow their parents. Faithful Christian parents are most likely to bring up faithful children (Ephesians 6:4). How many parents could speak like faithful Joshua: “But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD”? (Joshua 24:15b). Joshua was an example to his household in serving God. Where do you want your children and grandchildren to spend eternity? 

 "Therefore choose life." Why "therefore"? (1) Because the alternative is undesirable, and there is no middle space; it must be life or death. (2) Because life is everything. All that is worth having in this world or the next is in this word "life." Therefore, choose life!

Christ has said, "I am the Life" (John 14:6; 11:25). Salvation is a choice. We have the choice of life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life that both we and our offspring may live.

Which will you choose?

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.

Deu 31:7 And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.

This chapter contains some parting words from an old lawgiver. Moses had now finished his work as the legislator and ruler and leader of Israel. He had brought the young nation to the doorstep of the Promised Land. Unfortunately, he could not enter in himself. And, as any good leader who is worth his salt, he had made preparations for a successor and arranged the work that would follow after he was gone. Hence, before he finally retired from his place, he introduced his successor, Joshua, to the people. He also commissioned the priests to keep the Law, and exhorted the people to obedience, encouraging them to go forward to the conquest of Canaan, with the assurance of the Divine favour and blessing, and pronouncing on them his parting benediction.

It is said that God buries His workers, but carries on His work. No one is indispensable. Moses was succeeded by Joshua, Eli by Samuel, and Stephen by Paul. “The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever” (1 Peter 1:24-25).

A leader’s most important work is to ensure that the work of God goes on when he is gone. And the job of the next generation is to keep the on with the good legacies their former generation has left behind for them. Today, as I am writing this, I remember those who had been the leaders and warriors in God’s kingdom in past days. They had committed this faith to my generation. I am proud that my generation has not failed them. We fought hard to preserve the truth, keep the faith, and keep the church from false teachings. My generation has not turned to the right or to the left but remain steadfast in holding on to the truth. It is now our job to ensure the next generation carries on with this legacy of faithfulness and truth: God buries His workers, but carries on His work.

Where the responsibilities of the men of the past leave off, our responsibility begins. Today, I’m satisfied that I have done my very best in contending for the faith and ensuring the congregation which I am a member of stick to the pure doctrine and worship of God. Yet, while I have done my very best to teach and warn the next generation, I’m afraid the good work of the Lord may go down the drain.

Why do I have this fear? My fear is because the youths of today do not study the Bile with the same earnestness as I did when I was young. When I was young, I spent a lot of time on studying the word of God. I read the bible in one year for a number of times. I read every debate and commentary written by sound brethren that I could get hold on. I do not know if our youths have even finished the whole Bible even once, not to mention, read a debate book. I’m afraid they have not. Up to this day, I have not lived a day when I did not turn to the Bible and read it. You see, without this love for the word of God, how would the young defend the truth? The word of God says: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).

People are led to believe a lie because they do not know the scriptures (Matthew 22:29). One cause for apostasy to take over the church is a lack of knowledge in its members of the word of God. One will never know the scriptures until he begins to study it like he is taking a major examination. One cannot know what error is until he knows what truth is.

If one claims to love God, he must also love His word: “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). If one claims to love God, he must be willing to be a Joshua, who took over what his leader had left. Young men, the elders of tomorrow are made today. Are you in the making?

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.