It seems ludicrous to the modern reader that a person should receive the heaviest penalty of the law merely for saying something, albeit something bad. Blasphemy (using God’s name as a curse) is taken very seriously throughout the Bible. So, what is the big deal? Again, this issue is directly related to the special status of God’s people as God’s ‘royal priesthood’. God’s covenant people are guardians of the honour of God’s name. The very first line of the ‘Lord’s prayer’ reflects this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name” Matthew 6:9. God speaks of putting his name on his people (Numbers 6:23-27) which means that they represent him to the world. The people of God are to bless the world in God’s name and, through them, God’s name is to be praised throughout the earth. To use the name of God in a curse was therefore seen as one of the highest forms of desecration. It was to take the most valuable and precious thing given to us and cast it into the mud. That’s why it was treated as the most serious of offenses and why it carried the corresponding penalty under the civil code of ancient Israel. While that civil code with its penalties is long behind us, the seriousness of the issue remains. As a Christian, you carry the name of Christ, the name that is “above all names” (Philippians 2:9). People will regard Christ by the actions and words of his people. Make sure you are guarding the reputation of Christ very carefully. You are his representative. That’s a big responsibility.
Seek God’s forgiveness if you have dishonoured Christ’s name and think about how you can honour him instead.
Read Leviticus 24
