relationships (Matthew 23:16-23) Showing Respect

(Matthew 23:16-23)

16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, that is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple is obligated.’ 17 You fools and blind men! Which is more important, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold? 18 And you say, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, that is nothing; but whoever swears by the offering that is on it is obligated.’ 19 You blind men, which is more important, the offering or the altar that sanctifies the offering? 20 Therefore, the one who swears by the altar, swears both by the altar and by everything on it. 21 And the one who swears by the temple, swears both by the temple and by Him who dwells in it. 22 And the one who swears by heaven, swears both by the throne of God and by Him who sits upon it.

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

Many Pharisees were more concerned about their outward appearances, and not at all about their hearts.  At some point, one will start to contradict themselves.  Like, in their efforts to not see a woman and lust, instead of addressing the sin that's in their hearts, they would close their eyes, even when walking - and bump into things.  

Just like that, to avoid taking God's name in vain, which includes breaking an oath or promise to the Lord, the Pharisees told the Jews to no longer say the sacred name of God.  Instead, they would put other things in its place, like, they would swear by gold or by their offerings...  But this was putting those other things in place of the Lord!  Ironically, that is also "taking the Lord's name in vain!"

There are many ways in which to take the Lord's name in vain.  "SHAV" is the Hebrew word for "vain", meaning emptiness, vanity, falsehood, or worthlessness. It describes things that are deceptive, destructive, or ultimately without substance, value, or lasting meaning.

- in this verse, shav describes misusing, trivializing, or associating God's name with falsehood or empty oaths...

(Exodus 20:7)  “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain."

- in this verse, shav, describes having lifted up their soul to falsehood (referring to idols or deceitful practices)...

(Psalm 24:4)  

     "One who has clean hands and a pure heart, 

     Who has not lifted up his soul to deceit 

     And has not sworn deceitfully."

- in this verse, shav highlights that human efforts devoid of God's foundation are empty and futile...

(Psalm 127:1)

     Unless the Lord builds a house,
     They who build it labor in vain;
     Unless the Lord guards a city,
     The watchman stays awake in vain.

When we truly love someone, we care about them, we help protect their reputation, and actually make an effort not to irritate them.  Now let's just imagine a person who claims to love you, but they keep calling out your name, without any reasons at all, so that you are always jumping to attention, for no reason.  Or they blurt out your name whenever things go wrong, so that it sounds like you are to blame.  Or they use your name to make a promise to someone else, but they don't keep it, so that now your name is associated with a liar.  Just so, and even more so, as we claim to love God, do we respect Him enough to use His name with respect?