Can you imagine saying you’re going to meet Senior Software Specialist for coffee at Starbucks next Tuesday in order not to malign a friend’s name? That’s the position of some Jews refusing to use YHWH’s name to not break the third commandment:
“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.” Exodus 20:7
Even if we substitute Senior Software Specialist for a friend’s personal name, we can still malign their name even though we are not using it. YHWH accused Israel of this: “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 My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went.” Ezekiel 36:22
Whether they directly profaned the NAME or not, their actions profaned the NAME. This is the distinction between knowing the spirit & letter of the law and just the letter.
Bible Study Seattle 
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