Gospel Journey

Why does God get to be jealous?

During the week, we'll be looking at the commandments for our devotional. If you haven't checked it out today, go there first. Then, come back here and take a look at some questions people often ask when dealing with the Law.

Why does God get to be jealous?

We've spent the better part of two weeks discussing our sin in contrast to God's holiness. Yesterday, as we're working through the Ten Commandments we come across this verse: "You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me," (Exodus 20:5).

How can God be jealous? Isn't that a sin? Haven't we been establishing that God can have nothing to do with sin and now suddenly He declares Himself to be jealous? Here are a couple things to consider.

1. Original Language. When speaking our human jealousy, the Hebrew uses the term, "Qana." But when speaking of God's jealousy, the Hebrew uses a similar (but clearly different word) "Qanna." The words are different, explaining that God's jealousy is not similar to ours.
2. God has a right to demand attention. When I am jealous that someone is not giving me enough attention, praise, or gifts, I am making a statement that I deserve more attention. I really can't back that statement as there is nothing about me that has a right to demand the attention. However, God has a right to demand it. He has given us everything and deserves all of our attention.
3. God's not calling us to do that which He does not do. The attention of the Trinity is on one another. They look to One Another and call us to do similar.
4. His jealous creates righteousness. When I'm jealous, I call someone to focus on me. Inevitably, that will only hurt the person and cause failure. Yet, when God calls us to focus on Him, it is also the healthiest thing we can do. He will not fail us and therefore is worthy of demanding all attention.

If someone challenges you that God is sinful because He says He is jealous, you can simply explain to them that the word is different to describe God's jealousy. It has to be different, because God is different from us.

posted by danny2 @ 6:27 AM