by Douglas Ward, Ph.D.
When we pray the words, "Hallowed be your name," we are voicing our desire that everyone would come to acknowledge the God of Israel as King of the Universe. Also, we are asking for the courage and strength to represent Him faithfully, in hopes that our lives will help bring about this result.
To better comprehend what it means to be our Father's representatives, it is helpful to study the life of Moses. Along with his brother Aaron, Moses appeared before the powerful Pharaoh of Egypt as an envoy of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exod 7:1-2). Leading the fledgling nation of Israel, he continually had to weigh the impact of his actions on public perceptions of the one, true God. There is much for us to learn from Moses' successes—and his one major failure—in hallowing YHWH's name.
God's chosen deliverer faced a major crisis just a few months after leading Israel out of Egypt. While he was receiving divine instruction on Mt. Sinai, the people quickly fell into gross idolatry, constructing and worshiping a golden calf (Exod 32:1-8).
At this point, the LORD offered to destroy the rebellious Israelites and start over with Moses (32:9-10). Moses must have been shocked and dismayed at Israel's apostasy, but he did not accept the proposal. Instead, he showed that his highest priority was the Almighty's reputation among the nations. Moses begged forgiveness for the people, appealing to God's covenant love, "Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self." (32:11-14).
Here we would be misreading the text to suppose that God had lost control and Moses was forced to "calm him down." Indeed, the Torah elsewhere states that the LORD, for the sake of his reputation, would never destroy his people (Deut 32:26-27). If God's intention had been to wipe out Israel, he would not have invited input from Moses. Instead, the offer to Moses served at least two purposes. First, it emphasized the gravity of Israel's offense. Second, it tested Moses, providing an opportunity for Israel's leader to rise to the occasion and demonstrate his strength of character. Moses passed the test with flying colors, showing his desire to further the divine plan and sanctify the name of the LORD.
One year later a second crisis erupted. Hebrew spies were sent out to gather information about the land of Canaan. They brought back a negative report to which the fearful Israelites openly rebelled, threatening to appoint a new leader and return to Egypt (Num 14:1-4). YHWH then repeated his earlier offer to Moses: "I will strike them with the pestilence and disinherit them, and I will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they" (v.12).
Camped just days away from the Promised Land, Moses was deeply disappointed that his countrymen lacked the faith to move forward and claim the blessings awaiting them there. Even so, he again thought first of God's standing in the eyes of the world (vv. 13-16). Moses continued to intercede for the Israelites, modeling the patience and mercy that he knew were essential characteristics of the LORD’s nature (vv. 17-19). Those who witnessed his actions then, and those who have heard or read about them through the centuries since, have received a powerful testimony to God's goodness and steadfast love. In other words, His Name has been hallowed (sanctified, treated as holy).
Israel's consequence for disobedience was forty years in the wilderness (vv. 26-35). By the end of this period, Moses must have had high hopes for the new generation of Israelites which had matured during the intervening years. He had put a lot of effort into their training.
Imagine how disheartening it was for Moses to see the second generation repeating some of the sins of their parents. Their demand for water (Num 20:2-5) was reminiscent of complaints he had heard forty years earlier (Exod 17:1-7). "Here we go again," he may have thought. Had the older generation, including his sister Miriam (Num 20:1), died in vain?
In fact, the younger generation was indeed different. The grain, figs and pomegranates that they craved (Num 20:5) were the fruits of the Promised Land (Num 13:23; Deut 8:8). Rather than being afraid to travel to Canaan, this generation was impatient to get there. The LORD, in this situation, did not deem Israel to be worthy of severe punishment. He directed Moses to speak to a rock, from which water would then flow (v. 7).
Moses, however, delivered a harsh reprimand to the people, striking the rock twice instead of speaking to it (vv. 10-11). He failed to hallow the LORD’s name (v. 12) by not giving Him credit for the miracle, and by giving an inappropriately stern rebuke rather than the patient response the Father had authorized. For this failure, Moses and Aaron were denied the opportunity to lead the nation into the Promised Land.
As the fortieth year progressed, Moses prayed that God would reverse his judgment, but God declined to do so (Deut 3:23-29). Moses' angry response to the younger generation's complaints may indicate a failure to connect with that generation. At age one hundred and twenty, he may have lacked the patience necessary to oversee the conquest of Canaan. (1)
But Moses does not seem to have spent time brooding over his failure. During the final months of his life, he conveyed to his people the rich body of instruction recorded in the book of Deuteronomy. Moses' final discourse compellingly communicates the righteousness and wisdom of God (see Deut 4:4-8). He continued teaching until his death, causing the LORD’s name to be sanctified once again.
We may not be as visible as Moses was, yet what we model does make a difference. Others are watching our actions and reactions. Our good deeds can make a positive impression, just as our sins can create stumbling blocks. Yes we fail, but how blessed are those not defeated by failure. Consider each new day as an opportunity to sanctify God's name. Remember the example and instruction of Jesus who has freed us and blessed us with Holy Spirit. May we let our light shine before others, so that they may see our good works and give glory to our Father who is in heaven (Matt 5:16).
Footnotes:
(1) On this point see the discussion by Mosheh Lichtenstein in Moses: Envoy of God, Envoy of His People, KTAV Publishing, Jersey City, 2008.
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Want to study this subject in-depth? We recommend Breaking the Third Commandment.
Take me back to the library. Or if you prefer, back to the topic Old Testament.