11 For mine own sake, yea, for mine own sake will I do this, for I will not suffer my name to be polluted, and I will not give my glory unto another.
From the very beginning God has required that his people not
be divided as to who/what god they worship. Part of the reason Lucifer was cast
out of heaven was because he sought to take God’s honor and power (see Moses
4:1–4). The word often used in scripture is “jealous,” as in the Ten
Commandments when He commands that we not bow down to or serve other gods, “for
I the Lord thy God am a jealous God” (Exodus 20: 5). Most of the time when we
use this term today it carries a meaning of resentful envy towards a rival.
This would be the wrong definition to use for God’s jealousy. The older, more
rare definition is appropriate: “requiring exclusive loyalty” (Webster’s New World College Dictionary,
3rd edition). My comments on faith in verse 10 give some insight
into why I believe the Lord is a jealous God. If our faith is misplaced on
another god, how could we gain the eternal life that is our object in this
life? Remember and never forget that God’s work and glory is to “bring to pass
the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1: 39). All of God’s dealings
with man should be understood in light of that statement and it’s motivation,
which is pure love (charity) for us, His children. So when He says that he will
refine his people in the furnace of affliction for his own sake or benefit, we
should understand that it is to accomplish the purpose of bringing us to
eternal life.
In light of all that we can better understand why it is so
important that the Lord protects His name and reputation. Of course He “will
not suffer [his] name to be polluted.” Another way of saying this is taking his
name in vain, which Jesus cautioned against. So if we invoke His name, we must
be worthy to do so, or we pollute it. And if He gives his glory to another god,
which is what the first several verses of this chapter address, then why would
people worship Him? If another god that is not so exacting in its requirements
or standards can get the same results (eternal life) as worshipping God the
Father, why would people travel the straight and narrow path instead of the
easier way? So of course the Lord has to protect His name and reputation. It’s
for our sakes though, not due to His
nonexistent insecurities.
- Exodus 20: 5
- Jeremiah 44: 26
- Isaiah 42: 8
- D&C 59: 21
- Moses 4: 1 (1–4)
- Topical Guide: Jealousy
