I had a little epiphany this morning in my reading. I was reading in Jeremiah, and this passage jumped out at me: "But afterward I will return and have compassion on all of them. . . . And if these nations quickly learn the ways of my people, and if they learn to swear by my name, saying, "As surely as the Lord lives' (just as they taught my people to swear by the name of Baal), then they will be given a place among my people. But any nation who refuses to obey me will be uprooted and destroyed. I, the Lord, have spoken!" (Jer. 12:15-17)
It was a rather roundabout realization--that verse is talking about a righteous oath, not a profane exclamation--but for the first time, this truth hit me: even those who swear by using the name of our Lord in anger are, in effect, testifying to his authority and power.
Have you never wondered why people don't get angry and say, "Oh, Confucius!" Or "Oh, Buddha!" or "Oh, Baal!"
I'll tell you why--because there is no power in those names. And given that rocks and trees will one day praise the name of Jesus Christ, should we be surprised when we hear even unbelievers inadvertently testifying to the power in that name?
Hmmm.
~~Angie
5 comments:
I had never thought about it quite like that! I bet some of those who swear in such a way would be aghast if they were told they were actually sorta doing the opporsite of their intent!
Hey Angie - that thought hit home with me this week when the remaining American Idol contestants sang "Shout to the Lord" on national television. When they sang, "My Jesus, My Savior, Lord, there is none like you" I wondered if they really knew what they were saying. Some day every knee will bow and every tongue confess - but it was awesome to see Jesus' name proclaimed on America's most-watched TV show. Amazing what God can do even in something like this.
Blessings,
~Jill
Very wise, Angie, and very true. Thank you for this "Ah-ha!" moment. It will stand us in good stead when we hear someone utter an oath in the future. Clyde
Jill- they actually changed the name of Jesus in the song to "Shepherd", and there is a big stink about it.
Angela, (people call you Angie- is that you preference?) that is a powerful scripture!
Lisa - on Thursday night they DID sing "My Jesus" - Wednesday night it was "My Shephard" I blogged about it myself.
Anyway - Angela - wow! I had never thought about it like that before. And I am kind of giggling at the thought of all those pastors/preachers/teachers who get so upset about people "taking the Lord's name in vain"
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