Deu 27:8 And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.

The first thing that Israel was commanded to do on the day they crossed over the Jordan to the Promised Land was to set up large stones and inscribed on them the Law of God (verse 2-3).

And the command to the inscribers who inscribed the words onto the stones was: “And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly” (verse 8).

The word “plainly” means “to make plain, distinct, to make clear” (BDB Hebrew Dictionary). It means the words must be clear, in plain language that is easy to read and understand at once.

The main reason for the setting up of the great stones with the law written on them was so that the people could read and know the law of God themselves. Therefore, the inscription must be “plain”. The readers should have no trouble reading the writing and understand its meaning. To write it in such a way that the readers have trouble trying to figure out what a word is or its meaning would defeat its purpose of giving the Law to them.

One preacher said: “The main things are the plain things and the plain things are the main things.” What does it mean? It means that the things that are important for our salvation and godliness are always written in plain language so that we have no trouble understanding them. God who wants all men to be saved would not write the plan of salvation in apocalyptic language that men have problem trying to understand what they must do to be saved. No, but He will use plain and simple sentences that are easy to understand.

For example, when our Lord gave the great commission to go into the world and preach the gospel, He said it in plain sentence how men can be saved: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). That statement is plain and easy to understand: Believe + Baptised = Saved. Only a mind that has been corrupted by false teachings will see it differently. One needs help to misunderstand that verse.

A thing that is as important as our souls’ salvation will be written in plain statement. On the day of Pentecost, after Peter preached the sermon about the Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ, the multitude asked this question: “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” And Peter replied: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). How did the multitude respond to Peter’s statement? That day, three thousand souls were baptised and had their sins washed away. They understood fully Peter’s statement; it was plain and easy to understand.

Our Lord Jesus was the Word that was made flesh and dwelled among men (John 1:14). John wrote: “In him was life; and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4). The result of the Word coming to men was that "Light has come into the world" (John 3:19). We are not left to our own imaginations to figure out what we must do to be saved. That would be leaving us in darkness. But the Word brought light into the world. It means the Word brought revelation to all men and opened their eyes to understand the will of God. In all, the main teachings are taught "very plainly" by the Word.

The Word of God is so clearly and accurately recorded that men might see for themselves what the Lord had spoken. God’s words are always plain and easy to understand. Let us use it as God meant us to use it, not as a book, but as the Book; not as a book written by men, but by God (2 Timothy 3:16). With such a Book before us, let us walk in all the commandments of God.

Jimmy Lau

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

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.