I am a jealous God ….. (Exodus 20:5 part 2)

In case you are thinking that God being jealous is a purely Old Testament concept, I want to quote James 4:4 and 5. After warning friendship with the world is enmity with God, he says “Do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?” The picture both here and in the Exodus passage, is of God as the spouse to His people. God’ s jealousy is, as He is pure, and reflects His life giving love and passion for each one of us in relationship. In fact life, both eternal and in all its fulness, is found relationship with Him (John 17:3).

Concerning His love, He loves us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 30:3), and He dances over us with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). His steadfast love and faithfulness even in the face of multiple backslidings and betrayal, is pictured in the book of Hosea. Hosea is told to marry a prostitute, who is unfaithful multiple times. Yet Hosea welcomes her back and pays the price for her deliverance. It is a picture of our redemption, and the price and the pain involved in securing it. Such love, such passion deserves an unconditional and undivided response. In fact the only a reasonable response to such extravagant healing love, is as Paul tells us, to present ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1 NKJV).

I said above, that God’s jealousy is pure. It is not capricious like human jealousy (given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behaviour). And His strong emotions and desires have our very best interests at heart. He is not some Scrooge on the sky looking down in yelling “Cut that out,” whenever He sees someone having fun. And when He says “No,” it is for our provision and protection. He wants relationship, and like all healthy relationships, there needs to be boundaries. In fact any commandment He gives is to keep us safe, and to help us to move towards a life of satisfaction and fulfillment. He is jealous for our safety, for our protection and for us to secure all that He has for us. It is a Godly jealousy, and I for one welcome it!

Father, it was your passion, Your love for us that caused You to send Your one and only Son Jesus, so that anyone who puts their trust in You should not perish but have everlasting life! This expression of Your jealousy is pure and humbling, and I want to thank You for it this morning in Jesus Name Amen