God passes onto me the inspiration to write this message of His name. I pray for wisdom to deliver this message clearly and correctly in His name, Jehovah, through his son Jesus.
A common problem amongst all religions is addressing their God by His name. Will God be offended? Does He have a name? What will others think of me if I speak His name aloud?
From the Jehovah's Witnesses site we get the following excerpt:
"2. God has many titles but has only one name. That name is JEHOVAH. In most Bibles, God's name has been removed and has been replaced with the titles LORD or GOD. But when the Bible was written, the name Jehovah appeared in it some 7,000 times!—Exodus 3:15; Psalm 83:18."
If you are able, seek a bible that isn't afraid to use Jehovah's name when it should be used. In the ancient Hebrew texts, we often see these letters, JHVH or YHWH, where translators mutate the Holy Name into Lord. Why? Some claim that since we don't know the vowels, Hebrew writers omitted them, it would be more honorable to use Lord or God. Do these same translators refer to Adam as First? Absolutely not! Ever wonder why? Think about it. What being would want The Name concealed? In recent times, there have been other mutations of the Bible to become politically correct by calling God a he/she. Would you be offended if someone said your father was a girl or your mother was a boy?
Jews and others take the commandment at Exodus 20:7 both literally and too far.
"You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain."
From Webster's Dictionary, we get the definition of vain:
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Lacking substance or worth: vain talk.
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Excessively proud of one's appearance or accomplishments; conceited.
Jehovah wasn't asking us to never speak His name, he was asking us to not be conceited when using His name. He didn't command us to keep secret the name of God, nor did he demand that we never use His name. He only wants us to not use it in the context of excessive pride. Jehovah, Yahweh wants us to speak his name, he is a proud, jealous God who likes to hear His name spoken by everyone. So in correctly translating the commandment we would get:
"You shall not take the name of Jehovah, your God, in vain; for Jehovah will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain."
How idiotic the psalmist would look had they wrote the following without using Jehovah where intended. If the name is hidden from you, how can you trust this level of moron? Which one of these translations could you trust? A? B?
A. Psalm 9:10 - "Those knowing your name will trust in you, for you will certainly not leave those looking for you, O Lord."
B. Psalm 9:10 - "Those knowing your name will trust in you, for you will certainly not leave those looking for you, O Jehovah."
If you chose A, I must ask. Have you heard so much negative speak of Jehovah that your heart has been hardened to receptivity? Oh, you chose B? Well then, you are amongst a very small group. Religions such as Islam are the most open to using God's name. They speak of Allah consistently and with genuine warmth. Don't fear using His name. Jehovah wants to hear it from your lips to His ears.
Be a mirror of Jesus in all things. - Amen
By Rev. Matthew Gerrior December 1, 2002