GOD’S NAME IS HIS CHARACTER
Before we get to the issue of the 3rd Commandment, it is necessary to first discuss the concept of “name” as it appears in the Bible. Lacking a clear understanding of what God means by “name,” it is impossible to understand the commandment.

Names in the Bible are much more than a way of identifying someone. Actually, we see in the Bible that names (“shem” in Hebrew) of people refer to their reputations. Since reputations are based on historical performance (i.e. behaviors, actions, etc.), and since historical performance will always be consistent with basic character qualities, it can be reliably said that a person’s name, in Biblical terms, reveals a person’s true nature, essence or character. This is no less true for God than any other Biblical personality.

Proof of this truth regarding God is found in his multiple names which describe his many character qualities. While there is some dispute among Biblical scholars regarding God’s many names, there is no dispute about his seven names that are clearly articulated in the Bible. Each name reveals a distinct character aspect of God that is revealed in First Covenant scripture. And beyond these there are other scriptures that tell us about God’s character by telling us what he does because what he does absolutely agrees with his character (i.e. name).

STUDY TIP: The character of God is revealed in messiahs (i.e. true prophets) who only speak what the father tells them to say and only do what God tells him to do.

This pattern continues with Jesus, the Messiah, in New Covenant scripture where several names and titles are used to identify him. Although Jesus had many names, the title “son of God” was the most important one because it conveyed the truth that Jesus is the image of the living God. And those who follow Jesus are similarly called children of God.

But being created in the image of God is an elusive concept. Obviously it does not mean a physical image because God is invisible and has no form. Therefore, the only ways that God reveals himself are through his spoken word which accomplishes life-changing miracles when he changes impure hearts to pure hearts.

Because only God has the power to change hearts, people do not represent him by doing miracles, or by obedience to religious laws. Thus, the only way that anyone can represent God (i.e. be in his image) is when God speaks through that person as he did through true prophets and as he continues to speak through modern day true prophets who are created in his image (i.e. are his sons/children/heirs). 

The principle of the child taking on the character qualities and authority of the father, just like Israel and Jesus took on God’s character, is affirmed in many New Covenant scriptures. Even the name “Christian” that Jesus’ followers have ascribed to themselves indicates that his name (i.e. character, nature) is established in their nature.

Finally, we must recognize that God has an evangelical purpose for his children who are called (i.e. recognized) by his name (i.e. character) being present in their hearts/spirits. This is a very important principle so we will repeat it: God has an evangelical purpose for his children who represent his character to others.

This purpose applies, however, only to people who remain in covenant relationship with God by keeping his commandments. It does not apply to people who self-identify as Jew or Christian. Such labels mean something in the world, but mean nothing to God who looks only at the heart.

The problem for God that creates the need for this commandment is this: If God’s children do not accurately represent his name/character to the world, the world will not see God as he really is and will not be drawn to him. That is why God insists that people do not take his name in vain.

Putting all these scriptures together, we come to these conclusions:

To summarize all this, it can be said, indeed it must be said, that collectively these sins effectively violate God’s command to be fruitful and multiply. This is true because the ability to be fruitful is fully dependent on the degree to which God’s children represent his character to the world. Fruitfulness is accomplished by New Covenant disciples who function as True Prophets sent by God to speak his words to people with hard hearts. Symbolically speaking, God’s word spoken by true prophets is spiritual seed that matures to produce good spiritual fruit (i.e. food.)

It must be kept in mind, however, that multiplication, is not just about having physical babies. Almost anyone can make physical babies, but it takes someone who is created in God’s image (i.e. in his character) to have spiritual children that are also created in God’s image (i.e. spiritual beings). Jesus rephrased that command in this scripture:

When he used the term “baptize them” in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, God was not referring to a religious procedure called baptism. He was symbolically referring to the ongoing death and resurrection process by which people are conformed to God’s character. As that happens, people think and act less and less like their old selves and think and act more are more like God. They increasingly acquire his image as their own human character decreases. They are decreasingly motivated by their human, fleshly desires and increasingly motivated by the Spirit of God that lives within them because they are able to hear God’s Voice. They cease practicing Defiled Religion and become New Covenant disciples who practice Pure Religion.

As this process evolves, it could be said that the ratio of spirit to flesh in a person changes. When it begins, the ratio of spirit to flesh is 0 to 10 with 10 being the measure of flesh. We never see in the Bible that anyone becomes fully spirit and 0 flesh. Some get close, but they all have their backsliding seasons that prevent them from entering fully into the Promised Land. But these backsliding seasons are not critical to God because he is willing and able to restore people to the right path.

As the spirit to flesh ratio changes to display more spirit and less flesh, disciples are increasingly empowered to fulfill God’s evangelical purpose to populate the world with people who are conformed to the character/name of God. Whereas disobedience obstructs God’s evangelical purpose of populating the world through people who represent his character, obedience equips and empowers people to spread spiritual seed in the world because they embody that seed in their lives. Their fruitfulness increases as their spiritual capacity increases.

This evangelical principle of God reaching the world through a people (i.e. Israel and all who are grafted into Israel) who represents God’s character through obedience to his laws is perhaps best revealed in this scripture:

With this scripture in mind we see that obedience to God’s command to listen to his voice has an evangelical purpose. Thus, if we truly care for lost people, we should be eager to obey God’s commandments (i.e. statutes and ordinances) as consistently and accurately as possible because doing so represents God’s name (i.e. character) to the world in ways that make God attractive so that they will want to seek him and follow him also.

We should also see just as clearly, however, that failure to obey God’s laws will have a repelling, unattractive, effect on others. Who would want to follow a God that is not loving, compassionate, and merciful? Who would want to follow a God whose current followers are characterized by empty religious behaviors and do not do good and seek justice for everyone?

God had all this in mind when he gave the Third Commandment.