The Jealousy of God

When we ascribe character and we don’t usually include jealousy as a part of it. Does the thought of a jealous God sound odd? Yet, it’s seen all throughout scripture, in the Torah, the history books, the Psalms, the Prophets and the New Testament. Jealousy is constantly seen as a motivator for God to act and since jealousy is ascribed to God it would be greatly beneficial that we fully understand it.

It’s one of the first things he taught the Hebrews. Exodus 20:4-5.

Human jealousy is far different from God’s
Covetousness can be a vicious jealousy. Resentment from covetousness is seen in the malice and meanness of it.

       Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?  Proverbs 27:4

In the Academy Award movie ‘Amadeus’ Antonio Salieri, a gifted classical musician and a court composer to the eighteenth-century Austrian emperor knew from childhood that he was destined to write music, and he dreamed of becoming great. Although Salieri becomes a well-respected musician, he knows nothing of the fame or the talent God gives Amadeus Mozart.

When in dire financial straits, Mozart's young bride Constanze requests Salieri to help her sell some of her husband's manuscripts. As Salieri reads each manuscript, he plays the notes in his head, astonished by the perfection of each composition. Wildly and insanely jealous he exits the room and sits in his parlor contemplating why God allowed Mozart to drink of the fame that he has thirsted for all his life and plots to take his life…

Apparently people will do many things to get loved, but some will do almost anything to be envied. Like the Queen in Snow White for some success is being envied.

There is a positive aspect of human jealousy – the desire to protect a love relationship
Sometimes love involves passionate jealousy. In order to protect his beloved, God will sometimes take on the things and people that will steal our heart away from Him. When we're rummaging around the garbage piles of life we miss the only true source of satisfaction which is our relationship with God.

Scripture is consistent with the views that God’s jealousy reflects his desire to protect his love for his people and his desire for reciprocated love and loyalty. The compromising relationship with all the different forms of idolatry provokes God’s jealousy.  God’s jealousy is not motivated by a combination of frustration and envy, but it is to preserve something very precious. You!

The ultimate goal of God’s covenant love is that he would redeem a people throughout history who would love and worship Him for his acts of love. To secure that end he is a jealous God. He is jealous for his name and He is jealous of what you do with your life because he deeply cares about you.

He has no real rival, but you and I do. We have plenty of opportunities to do the opposite of what pleases him. Ouch. The jealousy of God is motivated by his love for you and me. Our reasonable response to his love is be passionately devoted to him and his purposes. Are you?