The first time I read the phrase “I am a jealous God” from the Scripture, I thought, uh?
Perhaps it’s because this trait is more associated with the Prince of Darkness, rather than with the One who is selfless, the source of light and righteousness.
The word "jealous" can conjure many negative thoughts in our minds: insecure, selfish, immature, unreasonable, and so on. Unsavory attitudes we would not ascribe to God. I mean, we only attribute such traits to a person who goes berserk when ignored or for some other shallow reason that sways them to act irrationally or be unreasonably jealous.
However, as we read the Bible and gain clear insights into God's true nature, we realize there's more to that phrase than meets the eye. God is too perfect to have the same negative emotions as we do, flawed, vulnerable to having a jealous streak when triggered.
If we actually stop and think about it, God's jealousy is not the same as ours… insecurity or pettiness, name it. His jealousy is more of a concern than anything else (there’s more to it than you think, which you will find out later). Think about it: how can God, the Creator of the Universe, who basically brought forth everything into existence, feel even a hint of insecurity?
If we were to gauge ourselves, our shortcomings, limitations, and all, or our position in this universe in contrast to that of God, we would feel so unworthy of God's possessiveness towards us. So instead of feeling annoyed, aren't we supposed to ask: Do we really deserve that much? I mean, a mighty God would even notice us, much less feel jealous when we turn our attention to those things or worldly concerns that we often lose our minds over.
God’s Jealousy Benefits Us
Unlike the small-minded, occasionally combustible brand of jealousy we mistake for love, God’s jealousy is just, fair, and actually beneficial.
Let’s start with moral clarity. Without some idea of right and wrong, life’s straight-up messy. God’s fixation on faithfulness at least points us north, helping us skip the fatal slip-up to keep us out of deep trouble.
Second, it gives us a sense of accountability. God’s jealousy reminds us that bad choices or unfaithfulness to His Word can cause us to stray from our steady path.
And third, God’s jealousy is some little mental pillow. It’s comforting to know that He cares enough to be upset when we take the wrong turn.
You see–God’s jealousy lifts, it doesn’t weigh. We can say it’s a built-in alarm in the relationship, keeping us tiptoeing along the holy, safe path God has mapped out for our own good. An assurance that He doesn’t take the relationship we have with Him lightly. He’s persistent because in His eyes, we’re worth it. And in our world that often seems indifferent, that kind of jealousy is something we could actually use more of and crave for. His jealousy says, in effect: “You are precious to Me. I want what is best for you. Please do not exchange me for inferior substitutes that could leave your life in pieces.”
Now, I can hear the skeptic’s voice already: Why should God care if I stray? Why be jealous? Isn’t that controlling, authoritarian, or unnecessary? I don’t know about you, but if God acts as if I don’t exist, indifferent to my wrongdoings, I would be freaking out and scared, because that could only mean that He has given up on me. I would actually be high on sheer joy if He felt angry and jealous when I chase after things that cause me to self-destruct.
God’s Jealousy Is Not Meant to Stifle Us
Freedom sounds sweet until our bad decisions slap us in the face. Some people think that freedom means zero restrictions. We know that’s not the case because, without rules or a roadmap (with limits and all), things would go sideways fast. Our lives are full of traps– all promise freedom but often end up tearing our lives apart. Absolute freedom is actually dodging that pain.
One might object here: “But why use the term ‘jealousy’? Isn’t that misleading?” I think it is, in some way, but only in a purely linguistic sense. We need to recall that the ancient Hebrew worldview was more relational rather than abstract. God understands that He can only get His message across through human terms. He wants to communicate with us in a way we can feel and understand, so let’s not be surprised if He uses human emotions to drive a point.
You can find comfort in this: the deeper His love runs, the stronger His jealousy burns. What would that mean? It could only tell you that you’re a real gem in His sight and He’s passionate about saving you from wrecking your own life, that precious life He has given you.
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 NKJV
In defense, many preachers attempt to justify God’s jealousy by attributing it to His overprotectiveness towards us. Please don’t take it the wrong way, I’m with them on that. What I don't agree with is the idea of stripping Him of His right to feel jealous. We are betrothed to Him the way a woman is bound to her faithful husband. He has the right to feel jealous if we’re unfaithful. Besides, what's wrong with God having such strong emotions whenever we go after false gods of this world? Shouldn't we feel humbled instead of being annoyed by such overflowing expressions of love?
I think being jealous isn’t always terrible as long as such an emotion grows out of fairness and justice.
Seeing Our Relationship With God in the Context of Marriage
We all know why God sees marriage as a sacred covenant. The union and partnership reflect the sacredness of God’s love to His children. A man’s promise of enduring faithfulness to his beloved and vice versa shows the same commitment and faithfulness God has for us and the loyalty and devotion we’re meant to return.
So just like a man who has the right to be furious once his beloved trashed the covenant (having an affair with another man), God also has the right to be livid and jealous should we break our promise of faithfulness by going after false gods or whatever addiction there is that steals our attention from Him: material wealth, prestige, or even a person or celebs we let our hearts run wild for.
Remember, He made us for Himself, not in a selfish kind of way, but in a relationship stitched with grace. In short, it’s a bond that brings absolute joy to Him and to us. I can’t spot selfishness in that–not even a smidge.
God’s Jealousy Makes Perfect Sense
So let’s remember that when we go astray—worshipping other gods, or seeking meaning in material wealth, or ignoring God’s call for faithfulness—God’s jealousy is, in effect, His insistence on the integrity of the relationship He has with us. In human relationships, we understand this instinctively. If someone we love most consistently neglects us for superficial pleasures or toxic influences, our irritation is a reflection of the value we place on the relationship. Similarly, God’s “jealousy” reflects His deep love for humanity—not His insecurity.
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