One my favorite pastors, Dan Burrell, wrote a great post about using God’s name in vain. He referenced the practices of Jewish scribes when they wrote the word “God”:
Devout Jews refuse to even write the word, “God” thinking it too casual for Someone so sacred and significant. Instead, they will cite him as “G-d”. In Biblical days, Scribes, who made copies of scriptures prior to the printing press, were required to use a fresh quill each time that they began writing the name of God. They also took a ceremonial bath prior to the first stroke. At the conclusion of each stroke of the quill that was required to write the name of God, they would repeat the bathing and take a new quill. It served as a constant reminder of the majesty and authority of the One Whose words they were copying.
Wow…that would surely cut down on my production as there are some days I probably transcribe the word “God” a hundred times!
Times have surely changed. People use His Name so casually and flippantly now…
2 Comments
May 13, 2009 at 1:37 PM
On the other hand, the Jewish respect for God’s name has led, in my opinion, to a certain kind of disrespect – the refusal to say his name directly in any way.
May 13, 2009 at 4:48 PM
You have a point there…