At a Christie’s auction in Hong Kong, a 15th-century Ming Dynasty blue-and-white ‘Dragon’ jar, was sold for US$20.4 million (HK$158 million). Interestingly, the previous owner used the jar as an umbrella stand at her front door. Now that the jar has sold for this extraordinary amount, the new owner treats the jar very differently.
This idea is at the heart of the third of the Ten Commandments: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.” (Exodus 20:7)
At first glance, this command seems to be about using God’s name as a swear word. While that is certainly not something you should do, the command is much bigger than simply avoiding certain words. The Hebrew word translated ‘take’ can also mean to carry, bear, or lift up. And the word “name” refers to a person’s reputation.
Carrying God’s Reputation
God is telling his people to carry his name and reputation carefully. God had rescued Israel from slavery and given them a remarkable identity. They were to be “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6), called to represent God to the world.
The same is true for those who belong to Jesus. Peter uses similar language to describe Christians. He says they are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession,” called to “declare the praises” of God (1 Peter 2:9).
This means we carry His name. The way we speak, act, and treat other people can either help others see something of God’s goodness, or make God seem small, empty, and of little value, or vain.
There is something even more wonderful. When we belong to Jesus, we are not simply carrying God’s name as a responsibility. We have been given a new identity. We are God’s own possession, loved, and called out of darkness into his wonderful light. So, the third commandment is ultimately an invitation. An invitation to discover the infinite worth of the God whose name we carry.
Once the owner of the Ming jar discovered its true value she carried the jar very differently. And that is the challenge of this commandment for us. When we discover who God is, and the incredible worth of the name we have been given, we will carry it differently. We will carry it in a way that speaks of the eternal worth and glory of his name.