CHAPTER 7 Defining Evangelizing - Evangelism Unlimited

462 Evangelizology
Chapter 7 Appendix
The two passages in question:
Considering the Meaning of
“Taking Oaths in the Name of the LORD”
in Deut 6 and 10
Deut 6:13 (NKJ) “You shall fear the LORD your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His
name”
Deut 10:20-21 (NKJ) “You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve Him, and to Him you shall
hold fast, and take oaths in His name. He is your praise, and He is your God, who has done for
you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen”
Clearly, “taking oaths in His name” is the only verbal element in Deut 6, and in Deut 10, the
command moves into boasting about or praising the Lord God.
Does “taking oaths in the name of the Lord” contradict or complement the Third Commandment?
Exod 20:7 (NKJ), “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”
Deut 5:11 (NKJ) “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”
In common English language, swearing is considered vulgarity; it is obvious that the follower of
the LORD is not commanded to use the name of the LORD in vulgarity or frivolity
Furthermore, Jesus as He interpreted the Law denied that one ought to swear by heaven or
earth:
Nor even to “swear by heaven, nor by earth” (Matt 5:34)
Matt 5:34-37 (NKJ) “But I say to you, do not swear [ὀμνύω] at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s
throne; 35 “nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great
King. 36 “Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37
“But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil
one”
Therefore, it is highly unlikely that Deut 6:13 and 10:20-21 are calls to use the name of the
LORD to affirm or confirm truthfulness or finality in a contractual arrangement.
So what could “taking an oath in His name” mean?
Two Hebrew verbs at issue:
Shaba’ (186 OT uses)—meaning “to swear” or to take an oath (as in the NKJ), Deut 6:13;
10:20:
The power is in the preposition “in”
Does this mean taking all oaths in His name? Possibly prohibited in Matt 5:33-37
In other words, “Do you swear to do such and such?” “Yes, I swear by the name of the
LORD!” “OK then, as long as you swear in that name, I will accept your word!”
Or does it mean taking an oath unto His name? i.e. making a unique commitment to follow
Him and Him only?
In other words, “LORD God, I swear to love you, honor you, and serve you alone!”
Does not this application seems to be the case in Psalm 119:106?
Psa 119:106, “I have sworn and confirmed That I will keep Your righteous judgments”
The second appears to be the emphasis of the LXX translation of Deut 6:13:
Deut 6:13, κύριον τὸν θεόν σου φοβηθήσῃ καὶ αὐτῷ λατρεύσεις καὶ πρὸς αὐτὸν κολληθήσῃ καὶ τῷ
ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ ὀμῇ