In the play Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare poses the question, what's in a name?

Well, a lot, actually. A name is more than just a label or a sound people use to get your attention.

A name represents your whole identity and reputation. It's the story of who you are.

Here's an example of proverb.

A good name is more desirable than great wealth.

And when it comes to the God of the Bible,

who is the source of all life and all that is good,

his name is indisputably the greatest name.

And yet in the story of the Bible, God chooses to share his name or attach his name to Israel.

What does that mean?

When God gives his name or attaches his name to others,

it becomes a form of representation or a way that you encounter the God who is above and beyond.

In the Ten Commandments, God gives Israel ten words

that if followed will lead them to life and flourishing. Today we'll discuss the third, which is all

about how they will represent his name. You will not carry the name of Yahweh your Elohim in vain.

You might be familiar with the translation, don't take the name of the Lord in vain, which

makes you think of merely misusing God's name in your speech.

But the Hebrew word here is to carry the name.

It seems like carrying the name is bigger because it refers to your behavior.

Stealing, deceiving, lying, swearing falsely in my name

is a way to mistreat the name of God. And you can carry Yahweh's name in vain?

In vain. It's the Hebrew word shav. It can refer to something that doesn't fulfill its purpose.

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