The title of the blog rings a bell? Oh yes..it does. We hear it almost every now and then. It is like fashion today to use this word OMG or ‘Oh My God’ by supposedly ‘trendy’ people.

Call me old fashioned, but I think people who are ‘not good conversationalists’ and do not know how to hold a conversation going, or at times fall short of the ‘right word’ for contributing to a discussion, make use of this word.

Well these are our thoughts. What does the scripture say?

There is this specific scripture that always makes sense to me on a daily basis…..

Leviticus 6: 12 says ‘ ….And the fire upon the altar shall be kept burning on it, it shall not be allowed to go out. The priest shall burn wood on it every morning…”

Leviticus 6:12 repeats “The fire shall be burning continually upon the altar, it shall not go out”

Oh yes, we do understand that in this specific chapter , scriptures are talking about the ‘burnt offerings, ‘cereal offerings’. But it does wake up our conscience too. “Fire” signifies ‘word of God’ should keep burning within us (the altar of God, that we are supposed to maintain as holy and blemish free), that we may not stumble!

Approximately 1440 BC, God entrusted Moses to pen down God’s laws for mankind. Well matter of fact is, no one likes laws dictating lifestyles, but truth is, these laws help man to live in discipline and enjoy life at the same time.

Exodus 20:7, “you shall not use or repeat the name of the Lord your God in vain (that is lightly or frivolously, in false affirmations or profanely), for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

Deuteronomy 5:10-11, “ you must NOT MISUSE the name of the Lord your God.”

Leviticus 19:12 “Do not bring shame on the name of your God by using it to swear falsely. I AM THE LORD”

Point is , if ‘The fire upon the altar (our minds, bodies ) keeps burning ( as Leviticus 6:12 commands) , chances are we will not stumble and will be able to distinguish between what is Holy and what is unholy and fruitless for our lives. Since there’s such a fine line in today’s date , distinguishing truth from a lie (unfortunately preachers aren’t paying enough attention to the “word of God’ either for fear of losing congregations, and themselves are serious reasons for stumbling), that it’s easy to fall prey to lies and deception, and profane the name of God.

We can take another example in the book of Numbers chapter 20.

Remember the story? Let’s refresh.

Moses was told by Lord (Numbers 20 :7-12) “tell the Rock (Rock signifies Christ) before their eyes to give forth it water, and you shall bring forth to them Water out of the Rock, so you shall give the congregation and their livestock drink.

Now most of the wilderness period, Israelites spent their time in complaining and whining. Attitude does play a vital role in determining our future course of life. Hence Israelite’s attitude made it more difficult for them too. Unfortunately their attitude ‘affected’ Moses too. He was getting more and more frustrated ‘listening’ to their complaints ( can’t blame Moses, since he was a mere human just like us and we also at times do get frustrated if we have even one family member who spends most of the time in complaining and frustrating us) .

But In case of Moses, he was fortunate enough to hear from God face to face. So his own faith should have been very strong. But still he ‘allowed’ his ears to get filled with Israelites complaints and anger.

Numbers 20:11 says, As Lord commanded Moses , after assembling the congregation together, he lifted up his hand and smote the rod ‘twice’. Normally it wouldn’t look ‘a big deal’ today. But remember the chapter Exodus 17:6? “Rock was Once smitten”. He was commanded something similar and he had obeyed so all was well. This time probably ‘the fire wasn’t burning continually’ ( the way it should …. Leviticus 6:12) and frustration was creeping in…and he smote the rock ‘twice’. He did not need to be smitten again. To smite it ‘twice’ signifies, Christ’s death was not effectual and sufficient for time and eternity. Moses probably underestimated the significance of the ‘command’. So he had to pay for his ‘disobedience’. Numbers 20:12 says, “And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, Because you did not believe in (rely on, cling to) Me to sanctify me in the eyes of the Israelites, you therefore shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them. “

It is at times difficult to understand that Moses was a man of God , whom God used so mightily for His glory, yet for such a small mistake he paid a heavy price. Whereas entire congregation of Israelites , grumbling, complaining, whining and looking back ( at their bondage) every now and then, were allowed to see the promised land?

Truth is ‘grumblers did not enter the promised land either”.

Moses was ‘chosen’ for specific tasks. He should have understood the importance of the ‘specific command’. And the Israelites who were the grumblers and freed from bondage, died in their ‘wilderness period’. Only Joshua and Caleb were found worthy, depending whole heartedly on God and the next generation of children of the Israelites who made it to the promised land.

It is vital for each of us to understand “exactly “ what the scriptures demand of us…nothing more, nothing less, nothing added and nothing subtracted. If the word of God says ‘we are not to profane or frivolously use His name, then ‘we are simply not to”…period. If God did not spare Moses, He will not spare us either. We really need to be careful. It is better not to contribute to any conversation at all, than blaspheming or kindling God’s wrath.

If we make sure “Fire on our altars are burning every morning” , we will be wise enough to understand the gravity of God’s word and His specific instructions for our lives. We will learn to obey Him, His word and never casually use His Holy Name.