The third commandment tells us not to take the name of the Lord in vain.

I suppose for most people that means only one thing, don't use swear words, and especially

don't use God's name as a swear word, and of course that's right.

But it's more than that, isn't it?

What God is forbidding here is using His name lightly or thoughtlessly, as though neither

God nor His name were of any importance to us.

What marks out the true believer is, as the fifth Sam puts it, that he or she loves the

Lord's name and exalts in Him.

Think about this in terms of the two testaments of the Bible, Old and New.

Remember that in the days of the Old Testament, the high priest was to bless the people.

The specific blessing, sometimes called the eronic benediction, is recorded in Numbers

6, verses 24 to 26.

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

These are beautiful words, and they describe a wonderful privilege.

God shining on His people.

Think about it, the face of God turning towards His people in love and smiling at them.

But do you remember the words that follow?

God says about the priests, so shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and

I will bless them.

When the people of God received this blessing, God was putting His name on them.

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