Jealous

Many times in scripture we read that God is “jealous” for his people.  Strangely to our ears, jealousy is bad. It’s true. Any time that a person is jealous, it’s usually never good.  So why can God be jealous? Surely there are attitudes and behaviors that God reserves for himself alone (ie. wrath, atonement, judgment).  Yet his revealed demeanor usually indicates something true for his people;  something we can absorb into our grace-repairing hearts.

God’s has tremendous passion for his people. In his character he loves and orchestrates heaven and earth to bring people closer to himself.  Jealousy then is his character opposing any other passion that comes in between us and God.  It speaks of the intimacy that he longs for and the absolute best that he has in mind for us.  If a human could muster this kind of desire, it would absolutely be holy and in accordance to his will.

In fact, this is exactly what the venerated prophets of old experienced.  As God’s spokespeople and covenant enforcers/renewers, they longed to see Israel break up with other gods and return to the One True Jehovah.  It was painfully difficult for every one of them.  Even Elijah – one of the greatest – begged God to take his life because he couldn’t sway God’s beloved back (1 Kings 19…you gotta read this!).

So imagine how this very intense and real emotion grips God’s heart.  Imagine how it moved him toward seemingly reckless behavior in allowing his only begotten son to die.  Imagine that very heart – in that very son.  Such a great desire was lifted upon that cross that you and I can only respond in blessed awe.

And so we return to Him.  For he is jealous for you.  For me.  And his love has moved heaven and earth to reach us and bring us back.  What a great God…that teaches us how to be jealous for the only thing we could ever be jealous for… to be his again!

[inspired by “How He Loves” and the opening line…”He is jealous for me.”]