Exploring Biblical Jealousy Part 1
When we study and learn about God’s character, we see steadfast love, mercy, kindness, faithfulness, and so much more. The Bible speaks about those time and time again and we would count them as positive traits. There is another positive attribute of God that some people, count as negative, but when we see it through the lens of our Father we understand why it matters and why it is a good thing. I am talking about jealousy. The Bible actually speaks on jealousy in two separate capacities. On one side, we have human jealousy over other things and people, and then on the other side we have God’s jealousy. How can one be counted a sin and the other an attribute of God who is incapable of sin?
Let’s first begin with understanding what the Bible says about man’s jealousy. Sometimes envy gets used in the same context, but they are not exactly the same thing. Envy is more coveting for what others have where jealousy is an emotion related to something, or someone, who belongs to us that we may be in jeopardy of losing. Man’s jealousy presents itself as far back as Genesis 37. Here is the story of Joseph and his brothers. His father, Jacob, loved him more than his other brothers, and they all knew it. Joseph, the younger brother, had a dream that he would one day he would be greater than his brothers, and they would serve him. He shared this dream with his family, and as you can expect, it did not go over well with them. The brother’s hatred for him increased, and in verse 11 we are told, “And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind”. This is selfish jealousy, the outcome affects them, and that is their concern.
In Galatians 5:20, Paul lists jealousy under the category of works of the flesh, which means it is not in line with the Spirit of God. James gives a pretty straight forward view of the root of jealousy in James 3:13-18, “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” Man’s jealousy is counted as selfish ambition and therefore the concern would be about self and not glorying our Father in heaven.
As we turn the tables and zoom in on God’s jealousy, we must remember that His jealousy is for the things that belong to Him, and as a believer in Christ, you belong to Him. God’s jealousy is similar to a faithful husband who loves His bride. He is true in His covenant and holy in the relationship. He is a holy God and cannot be with unholy things; it cannot be shared space, so when His bride, His people, do things against the convent they made with Him, He is jealous. He confirms that in Exodus 20:5, “…for I the Lord your God am a jealous God.” We can look in Exodus 34:14 where the Bible tells us, “for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” In this portion of Exodus, He is describing His attitude toward idol worship or worshiping false gods.
Looking in Deuteronomy 4:23-24, we see Moses continue to warn the people to not worship anything besides the Lord God, “For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” He is saying to them, do not take this covenant with the Lord lightly. You are to only worship the Lord God. If you have studied the Old Testament, you have probably seen a cycle of God’s people straying from Him and their devotion to Him. They give into the world and its temptations which leads to separation from God which, because of their sin and the circumstances they find themselves in, only leads them back to surrender and in covenant with Him.
Looking in 1 Corinthians 10, Paul is teaching that they, His people, need to flee from idolatry. He is telling them that participating in Holy communion elements, eating the bread representing Christ’s body and drinking the cup, representing His blood shed, is sacred to God, but at the same time, participating in pagan worship rituals is participating with demons, and they cannot do both. Paul says in verse 22, “Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?” Paul is talking to God’s people, believers, who are in a covenantal relationship with Him. Breaking the bond in this relationship is, in theory, an adulterous action and God takes that very seriously. When we, as believers, truly understand, and fear Him, as the Holy God He is, then we understand that unholy things lead to separation from our Holy God. We should love Him enough to not provoke Him to jealousy. We must understand that it is our behaviors that cause His jealousy.
Keeping our covenantal bond with our Lord and Savior means living our lives in a way that does not provoke His jealousy for us. Deuteronomy 6:5 tell us, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might”. Psalm 86:11 says, “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in truth; unite my heart to fear your name.” Jeremiah 32:39 says, “I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them.” God is the creator of all things, including you and I, and He is sovereign over all the things He created. His jealousy is warranted when His people turn away from Him. This is love, a holy love, and we should honor and glorify Him in all that we do.
-Rebecca
