resolve

“For the Lord, your God is a consuming fire—a jealous God.”

Deuteronomy 4:24 ESV

A jealous God is a zealous God, who passionately pursues the hearts of His people.

Jealousy is often a reflection of deep insecurity in someone’s heart. It can be an excessively possessive and manipulative spirit with unholy and unrighteous motivations. In light of this, how might our good and holy God be jealous?

Let’s consider what exactly God is jealous for? God is primarily jealous for his glory and supremacy. He seeks to protect His reputation and His name above all else, in our personal lives and the world (Ex 20:4-6, Ez 39:25).

God is also jealous of the whole-hearted devotion and loyalty of his people. As a husband or wife is expected to be faithful to their marriage covenant, so the church is to the covenant with God.

God is an emotional being who experiences genuine affections, yet His jealousy does not depict a God who is insecure or riddled with anxiety, but rather one of passion and commitment.

In his book, Knowing God, J. I Packer explains God’s jealousy is a “praiseworthy zeal to preserve something supremely precious.” God’s divine jealousy is a zeal to protect the loving relationship he has with his people. How amazing is this? His jealousy is an active gift working to awaken our hearts to desire only Him; to see the beauty in all His splendor and taste the sweetness of knowing him, obeying him, and enjoying him.

Only God can satisfy the deepest parts of our being, therefore, His greatest purpose is to give us all one thing— Himself! This is how much He cares for us. So much so, He sent his one and only Son to prove it.

In Him,
Makenzi

additional reading:

Isaiah 42:8/ Exodus 34:14 / Hebrews 12:29 / 2 Corinthians 11:2 / John 3:16

reflect:

What does this teach you about God? What aspect of God’s character is to be praised from this passage? What wrong thoughts result in you when you forget the truths of this passage?  Are there any idolatrous pursuits you need to surrender today?

centering prayer:

LORD, may my heart burn for You and only You as I resolve to live for You alone. amen.