Topical Bible: God is Declared to Be: Jealous

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The attribute of jealousy ascribed to God in the Bible is a profound aspect of His character, reflecting His deep commitment to His people and His desire for their exclusive devotion. This divine jealousy is not to be confused with human jealousy, which often stems from insecurity or envy. Instead, God's jealousy is rooted in His holiness and righteousness, demanding that His people worship Him alone and remain faithful to the covenant relationship He has established with them.

Biblical References:

1. Exodus 20:5 : "You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me." This verse is part of the Ten Commandments, where God explicitly declares His jealousy in the context of idolatry. The prohibition against worshiping other gods underscores His demand for exclusive worship and loyalty.

2. Exodus 34:14 : "For you must not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." Here, God's very name is associated with jealousy, emphasizing the seriousness with which He regards the worship of other deities. This passage highlights the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where He expects fidelity akin to that of a marriage.

3. Deuteronomy 4:24 : "For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." This description of God as a "consuming fire" alongside His jealousy conveys the intensity and purity of His passion for His people. It serves as a warning against idolatry and a reminder of the consequences of turning away from Him.

4. Deuteronomy 6:15 : "For the LORD your God in your midst is a jealous God. Otherwise the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth." This verse underscores the seriousness of God's jealousy, linking it to His righteous anger and the potential for judgment against unfaithfulness.

5. Joshua 24:19 : "But Joshua said to the people, 'You are not able to serve the LORD, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions or your sins.'" Joshua's warning to the Israelites highlights the gravity of serving a jealous God, who demands holiness and unwavering allegiance.

6. Nahum 1:2 : "The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and full of wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on His foes and reserves wrath for His enemies." This prophetic declaration presents God's jealousy as part of His justice, where He acts against those who oppose Him and His people.

Theological Implications:

God's jealousy is a reflection of His covenantal love and faithfulness. It is an expression of His desire for an exclusive relationship with His people, akin to the exclusivity expected in a marriage. This divine jealousy serves as a protective measure, safeguarding the holiness and purity of the relationship between God and His people. It also underscores the seriousness of idolatry and spiritual adultery, which are seen as betrayals of the covenant.

In the broader biblical narrative, God's jealousy is a call to holiness and a reminder of His rightful place as the sole object of worship. It challenges believers to examine their own lives for any form of idolatry or divided loyalty, urging them to return to wholehearted devotion to God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Joshua 24:19
And Joshua said to the people, You cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Nahum 1:2
God is jealous, and the LORD revenges; the LORD revenges, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserves wrath for his enemies.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

"In the Spirit and Power of Elias"
... He who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, has declared of the ... He is still
the mighty God of Israel. ... And He is just as jealous for His law now as He was ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 14 in the spirit.htm

One and the Same God the Father Inflicts Punishment on the ...
... declared those men shall be sent who have been set apart by themselves on His left
hand. And this is what has been spoken by the prophet, "I am a jealous God, ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xl one and the same.htm

The First Epistle to the Corinthians the Pauline Salutation of ...
... it to be impossible accurately to determine what God is declared to be the ... which
overtook both Jews and Greeks proves that God is both a jealous God and a ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter v the first epistle to.htm

God's Love for Man
... He pictured the Creator as a being who is watching with jealous eye to ... "No man hath
seen God at any ... is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him." John 1 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 1 gods love for.htm

From the Fall to the Flood.
... grant a like token to Cain, the latter became jealous and finally ... his heart was only
evil continually" (Gen.6:5). God therefore declared "My Spirit ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter ii from the fall.htm

"The Prophets of God Helping Them"
... God saw that His people were in need of being ... the angel that talked with me," Zechariah
declared, "with good ... the Lord of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 46 the prophets of.htm

A Dialogue with God
... His will acting as that of a jealous despot which ... Our right response to God's merciful
threatenings is to ask ... course which He by His providences declared to be ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/a dialogue with god 2.htm

Internal Foes.
... The Word of God has declared it: "Be not deceived: neither fornicators ... "No covetous
man hath any inheritance in the Kingdom of God.". ... Are You Jealous, Envious? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/the overcoming life/part ii internal foes.htm

"He must Increase"
... The disciples of John had declared that all men were ... hath set his seal to this, that
God is true ... The priests and rabbis had been jealous of John's influence as ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 18 he must increase.htm

"We must Increase, but I must Decrease. "
... was no tinder in that noble breast which these jealous sparks could ... Him for whom
the world was waiting, and who was declared to be the Son of God with power ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/ix we must increase but.htm