The Heart of the Matter

It is good to realise no matter how much we know (or think we know!), God always has much more to reveal of Himself and our need for Him through His word.  A verse read hundreds of times and even memorised remains full of truth yet to be understood and applied by those who trust in God.  A passage that grabbed my attention today is from the words of Agur in the KJV of Proverbs 30:7-9:  "Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: ⁸ remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: ⁹ lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain."

Whilst the final words of verse 9 are in italics (meaning they are not in the original text but added by the translators to improve the English rendering), it caused me to consider how stealing can be connected with taking the name of the LORD in vain.  The description most commonly heard concerning taking the name of the LORD in vain forbidden in the 3rd Commandment, if not the only one, is the use of God's name as an expletive or an expression of surprise.  Scripture bears out that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, and thus the taking the name of the LORD in vain is more a heart problem than one of undisciplined speech.  "Vain" can be described as worthless, empty, futile and inconsequential.  When the preacher said "All is vanity!" he was saying everything was worthless and pointless, grasping for the wind.

Taking the name of the LORD in vain suggests a person has heard of the LORD God, but does not really believe or obey Him.  Instead of seeking the LORD who rules over all, rather than trusting God to bless the works of his hands, a person takes the name of God in vain by theft.  Sin can be put into the categories of sin of commission and omission:  by something a person does that is sin or to sin by not doing something.  We can take the name of the LORD in vain by speaking His name to express disgust or surprise, and we can take the name of the LORD in vain by living like He is worthless, His promises are empty, His power is futile and without consequence.  The opposite of taking the name of the LORD in vain is the fear of God, choosing to walk in His wisdom in faith and obedience.  It isn't so much about what we say but the attitude of our hearts.

Agur prayed to be removed from vanity and lies, that he would not deny the LORD's existence, presence and power to provide for all his needs.  Taking the name of the LORD in vain is a result of self-confidence and self-reliance, the proud posture of a man who denies God's role in creating and sustaining our lives.  The rich and poor can take the name of God in vain by actions that deny Him and His sovereign rule, not just by saying "God" or "Jesus" in an empty fashion.  Defining "taking the name of the LORD in vain" narrowly as only what we say does not touch the heart of matter:  our need to repent and trust the LORD God as LORD of all and our God.