Our Jealous God

So, I just finished up a Bible study about the attributes of God. The last day of the study focused on Exodus 34:14: "Because the Lord is jealous for His reputation, you are never to bow down to another god. He is a jealous God."

I don't know about you, but the word jealous has a negative connotation in my mind. Doesn't the Bible say that jealousy is a sin? So, how can God be a jealous God and still be perfect and good? This led me to make a comparison chart of what God's jealousy looks like and what earthly, sinful jealousy looks like. Here are my findings:

1. A jealous person is usually insecure in who they are and discontent with their current standing in life.

God is neither insecure or discontent. He knows exactly who He is which is exactly why He is jealous for our attention. He is the God of all things, the God of all eternity and He is worthy of our undivided attention.

2. Specifically speaking in terms of being in a relationship with a jealous person: jealous people are controlling and potentially abusive.

God is not controlling or abusive. He doesn't force us to do anything or mistreat us when we fail. He gives us complete freedom. We can accept Him or not, love Him or not, keep His commands or not. There is no fear in His love.

3. A jealous person would keep you in isolation.

God actually commands that we live in community because He didn't create us to live alone. He created us to live in vibrant relationships with other people that comfort us and challenge us and point us more towards Christ.

4. A jealous person makes you feel shame that keeps you in chains.

God delivers us from the slavery of shame and gives us freedom.

5. A jealous person makes you feel insecure and on edge.

God gives us security and reminds us that we are His and in Him we are safe and have peace and rest.

6. A jealous person takes and takes and leaves us empty.

God continually gives. He fills us with the fruit of His spirit, with is endless love, mercy and grace and with all that we need to keep giving back to Him and to others.

Our jealous God is none of the things that we are when we are jealous. And this is why He is jealous for our attention because He knows that when our attention is on Him, we are benefitted. It is for our ultimate good to keep our eyes ever fixed on the one true God. In Him we find true joy, true peace, true rest, true fulfillment, and true love.

I pray that you would seek God and set your attention on Him because He loves you and has good plans for you.

I would love to hear what you think about God's jealousy so don't be afraid to leave a comment. Thanks for reading!