What does God's "burning zeal" in Ezekiel 36:5 reveal about His character? Setting the Scene “Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Surely in My burning zeal I have spoken against the rest of the nations and against all Edom, who appropriated My land for themselves as a possession with wholehearted joy and utter contempt, that they might plunder it.’ ” (Ezekiel 36:5) Ezekiel is addressing Israel in exile. Foreign nations mocked and pillaged the land, assuming the LORD had abandoned His people. Into that situation God speaks of His “burning zeal.” What “Burning Zeal” Means • Hebrew qinʾâ carries the ideas of intense passion, jealousy, ardor, and fury. • It is not fickle emotion; it is the white-hot commitment of the covenant God. • His zeal is both protective and corrective—love that will not allow desecration. Revealed Aspects of God’s Character • Protective Jealousy – Exodus 34:14 “You shall not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” – God’s zeal guards what is His—His land, His people, His glory. • Moral Holiness – Habakkuk 1:13 “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil.” – His burning zeal erupts against sin and injustice; He cannot be indifferent. • Covenant Faithfulness – Deuteronomy 7:9 “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; He is the faithful God…” – Even after Israel’s failures, God’s zeal proves He keeps His promises. • Righteous Justice – Isaiah 34:8 “For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for Zion’s cause.” – The nations’ contempt will meet divine recompense; wrongs will be righted. • Passionate Love – Isaiah 9:7 “The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.” – The same zeal that judges also restores, bringing Israel back to her land (Ezekiel 36:8-12). Echoes Throughout Scripture • Psalm 79:5 “How long, O LORD? Will Your jealousy burn like fire?” • Zechariah 1:14 “Thus says the LORD of Hosts: ‘I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and Zion.’ ” • John 2:17 “Zeal for Your house will consume Me,” fulfilled in Christ cleansing the temple—God’s zeal incarnate. Implications for Believers Today • Take heart: God’s passion ensures His promises to His people never lapse. • Walk in holiness: the God whose zeal burns against sin now indwells you (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). • Trust His justice: every injustice you see will be addressed by the One whose zeal cannot fail. • Rest in His love: the fervor that judged Edom also sent Christ to the cross (Romans 5:8). |
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