To be jealous according to Dictionary.com is to have resentment against someone. It also says, “troubled by suspicions or fears of rivalry, unfaithfulness.” It isn’t right to have resentment toward someone, that would be considered a sin.
Yet the bible sometimes refers to God as a jealous God, Exodus 20:5 I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God. How can God be jealous or have resentment if he is perfect and without sin? The word translated jealous should be interpreted and even translated as zealous. The Lord is a zealous God. That is, God will not sit idly by and allow something or someone take his rightful place or even share his throne and glory. And why should He? Would you do nothing if your spouse was having an affair? That’s sharing your spouse with someone they don’t belong to.
With God it has nothing to do with resentment, but zeal. It refers to fervor for someone, enthusiastic diligence. For example; when Moses was confronted by the angry Israelites that they had no water God told Moses to command the rock to pour out its water. (Numbers 20:8f). One of many miracles God did to show He is Lord and Lord alone. However, what did Moses do? He gathered the people to the rock as he was told and: Numbers 20:10-11 He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. Note these three things. 1. “Listen you rebels. . . ?” is an expression of his frustration and anger that had built up over the years leading the Israelites to the Promised Land. 2) His lack of faith in God’s word alone to command the rock to give water so he hit it twice with his rod. 3. Here is the point of jealousy. Moses told the people; “Must WE bring you water from this rock. . . ?”I in other words it was God, Moses and Aaron who would bring water from a rock. Moses did not bring the water, God alone did. God would not share His glory with Moses or Aaron.
Out of His grace He poured out an abundance of water for all, but because Moses/Aaron disobeyed they would not see the Promised Land. The Lord will not share His glory or His rightful place as God with anyone. We must not put anything or anyone in the place of God. Where do you put your security and trust?
Pr. Bob Snitzer
By the Way:
Wed -Thursday carpet cleaning.
Sunday 27, 9:00 Morning worship. Sermon: Generosity Encouraged
