July 15 Hallowed Be Your Name

Ezekiel 36:21-24 "But I had concern for my holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations to which they came. 22 Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. 23 And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes.'"

 

JESUS taught his disciples to pray, "Hallowed by your name." (Matthew 6:9) as the first petition of the Lord's Prayer with very good reason. God is very jealous of his name. He will not allow his creation to abuse, profane and disdain it - to cause it to become unholy (or not hallowed). He commands his holy name in the third of the Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:7 "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain." This is the only command with a direct reference to God's judgment on the command breaker.

    Israel had certainly profaned God's name. This doesn't necessarily mean they spoke the Lord's name profanely. We don't know what they spoke in everyday conversation. But we do know how they acted. God judges his people because they profaned his name through their irreverent and blasphemous actions against their Holy God. Breaking God's commands in thought, word or deed is profaning God's name. The Israelites' actions formed a poor reputation of God among the nations.

    For example, if I say, "I'm Curt's son." and I sin, I profane my father's name. I don't have to say anything. My actions would tell you that my father must not have taught me right rules and disciplined me properly. My sin would place a black mark on my father's name in your sight. To restore the integrity of his name, my father would punish me and then restore me to a right relationship with him.

    To restore the holiness of his name to his people and all the nations, God punishes his people in their exile. Then he promises he will do a remarkable work of redemption. He will draw his people out of exile's punishment and restore them to a bounteous land. He will show to the world the wonders of his holy love. More on that tomorrow.

    Consider this day how your actions reflect on the name of the Lord. As the church of Jesus Christ, are your actions and words keeping his name holy in the sight of those around you?

Prayer: Hallowed be your name, Lord, in all we say and do. In Jesus' name, amen.