I Am Jealous
Jealousy is an intense emotional reaction. It is not passive. No one experiencing it can remain in neutral. At its worst, it finds itself placed in the list of the works of the flesh recorded in Galatians 5:20. And yet, at its best, it finds itself being identified as a trait of God! How can this be without accusing the Bible of hypocrisy?
Obviously, if God announces that He is jealous, then jealousy is an acceptable and even necessary trait of God. Here are His words declaring His jealousy. “I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD you God, am a jealous God…” (Deuteronomy 5:6-9).
The first words that the children heard from the voice of God were these. And, it is in these words that we learn some very basic principles about who God is. These principles help us understand why God is jealous, having such intense emotions concerning His people. There are 3 principles that show us why it is right for God to be jealous.
#1 – He is jealous because of creation. Exodus 19:5 records, “…all the earth is Mine.” God said these words as He was about to deliver the Law to the people through Moses. He is doing this because everything belongs to Him.
“He gives to all life, breath, and all things.” (Acts 17:25). Therefore, He owns everything (Psalm 24:1) and He can do with these things whatever He pleases (Matthew 20:15) while expecting, in return, faithfulness from the people whom He has created. Ownership allows jealousy.
#2 – He is jealous because of covenant. Moses reminded the people, “The LORD our God made covenant with us in Horeb.” (Deuteronomy 5:2). God promised His people, Now, therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people…” (Exodus 19:5).
A covenant is an agreement between parties. One party provided all the substance in the covenant and the other party provided their assent to the covenant. The other party did not have any say in the details of the covenant. In the case of the people of God, they declared, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do.” (Exodus 19:8). That agreement allowed them all the benefits of relationship with God. Relationship demands jealousy.
#3 – He is jealous because of His character. “I am the LORD your God.” (Deuteronomy 5:6). The Psalmist declared, “The LORD is righteous in all His ways…” (Psalm 145:17). God cannot be contrary to His nature.
He is the LORD. He, therefore, told His people how to be righteous. They should not make images of any other gods (Deuteronomy 5:7-10). They must not take His name in vain (Deuteronomy 5:11). They must worship Him regularly (Deuteronomy 5:12). They must not abuse the creatures who are His (Deuteronomy 5:16-21). Failure to follow these commands would bring punishment on them. Would we expect anything different? Nature expects jealousy.
— Mike Johnson
