One of the most well-known commandments is that “You shall not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain”. For most of us that has been related to the use of God’s name in regards to cursing or swearing. However, if we limit it to our current knowledge, we might miss an important point of the command.
The Hebrew word for “vain” is translated as “שוא” and is pronounced “sheva”. The most accurate rendering of the word sheva means “empty, having no meaning or insincere. This concept of speaking falsely is also present in Exodus 23:1, "You shall not utter a false report." The word "false" is the very same Hebrew word שוא (sheva). If we look at this closer, it actually broadens how we should act from simply the words we “say” to the things we “do”. In other words, the verse could actually read, “You shall not say anything that would lead people to think that you are a follower of God, yet in reality you are simply putting up a false front”.
Many of us fail to forget that we are created in the image of God or Elohim. When we say one thing and do another, as a follower of Elohim, we confuse people and can actually tar God’s character. That’s not really fair to each other and certainly not fair to Him!
The question I must ask myself today is “Just how sheva am I”?
