The Bible says in a bunch of places that we serve a God who is jealous.
Now when we ascribe this word to God, I tend to assume that it can be difficult for us to consider Him to hold what we would usually think of as a negative human emotion. Something like jealously doesn't seem like it should be a part of His nature. If God is perfect, how could He be jealous? Plus He is God and He owns everything. What could He possibly be jealous about? Is there something that He doesn't have?
No, and yes.. I'll explain this later as you keep reading.
But could there maybe be parts of His nature that have more to them than meets the eye?
Sometimes we can easily view certain parts of the Bible as being completely literal; "Hey if God says that He is a jealous God then we shouldn't question Him. What He says is true and that's how He is", even though the Bible is filled with symbolism and metaphor.
Our God, who is jealous, I don't think is jealous in quite the same way we humans can be.
If we look at the kind of relationship God seeks to have with us, I think it sheds light onto this jealous thing.
Ephesians 5:22-23 - "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior."
But could there maybe be parts of His nature that have more to them than meets the eye?
Sometimes we can easily view certain parts of the Bible as being completely literal; "Hey if God says that He is a jealous God then we shouldn't question Him. What He says is true and that's how He is", even though the Bible is filled with symbolism and metaphor.
Our God, who is jealous, I don't think is jealous in quite the same way we humans can be.
If we look at the kind of relationship God seeks to have with us, I think it sheds light onto this jealous thing.
Ephesians 5:22-23 - "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior."
This is saying that the relationship and duties of a husband and wife are supposed to resemble those of the same relationship and duties Jesus and the Church have.
The book of Revelation talks about us being the "bride of Christ"
Our relationship with Jesus Christ then, is to be one of marriage. Our relationship is a covenant made to be undivided in our devotion to Him, forsaking everything when our loves between Him and the world are compared.
The thing driving His desire to be in relationship with us, to be His bride, is His love for us.
So in the context of when the Bible talks about God being jealous, it's the same idea of how a husband would be jealous if his bride cheated on him. She made him a promise, she entered into a covenant with him, but then she broke it.
"You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me" - Exodus 20:5
"We have a God who is jealous of other god's not because they threaten Him, but because they threaten us." - Dr. Bob Laurent
In Matthew 22:37-38 Jesus said "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment."
Jesus is saying here that He wants every single part of us. Let me point out though that it's not for God's benefit that we give all of ourselves to Him. God longs for us in our entirety because He knows that we need as much of Him as possible. It's because He knows that our wholeness is dependent on our giving all of ourselves to Him.
So to answer the question I asked in the first paragraph "Is there something that He doesn't have?" I'd say no because He is the Creator of all good things but I would also answer yes because if He wants every single part of all that we are it's probably because He doesn't have it all yet.
When God says that He is a jealous God, He is reminding us that He deserves our utmost/1st allegiance and best love.
How often do you and I worship and give our hearts more over in love to other things besides Jesus..
To know that we have a God who is jealous for every part of our hearts is a huge reminder and strength to keep me from giving myself away to other gods. To understand this attribute of God explodes in me even more gratitude for how much He loves me. It really helps me understand even more the fact that our God is in endless pursuit of all that we have and all that we are. And it's not because He is some big authority way up in the sky who wants to control us, no not at all! It's because He is the Creator of our hearts and He knows that our desires can only find their true and complete satisfaction in Him.
Doesn't it just make sense that if we give ourselves over to the One who created us that we will find in Him who it is that we were created to be and also what the purpose of our existence on this earth actually is. And so you can even say that we are most alive when we are being led and guided by Him and by His power. We find true life when we loose ourselves in Him.
Oh how I want nothing more than to be 24/7 endlessly loosing myself completely within Him!
So why oh why do we run from Him? Why do we think that we have got life figured out. Why do we choose to try and find meaning and purpose in things He created not the Creator? Why do we give ourselves over to worship other things?
"Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?" - James 4:5
We must focus!
We must remember that life is found in Him alone!
God, we lean into You now. Help us remember this truth! We are so desperate for You.
Holy Spirit we quiet ourselves before You now, speak louder than all the other voices.
We let go of our lives to find them in You.
We are surrendered.
Please give us strength to continue to do so as often as needed every single day.
You are our God and we are Your people.
We fully devote ourselves once again to You now, for Your glory alone.
2 comments:
Seth! This is awesome! I love your writing... and your wisdom!
I was actually just about to write/post/whatever you call it about something just like this. And right before I read this I had a discussion with someone about being "the bride of Christ".
I like what you have to say better though!
God has blessed you with some great talent and wisdom Seth! Thanks for putting your thoughts on here!!!
yes but point of correction:
The god (not the almighty God) said it, after he looked on the many host of angels he has made as the chief archon. Deep in his heart he knew there is still another greater power than his, afterall his mothers power enabled him all those. For the almighty God doesnt need to be jealous because Hes immeasurable and above all. Jealousy is human nature becase this fallen angel mixed his light with darkness.
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