He Is Jealous For Me

About a 4-minute read. This post draws on group discussion in the church home group I am currently attending.

“Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” (Exodus 34:14) 

Really? Jealous?

It’s hard to think of God as jealous. It sounds so petty. Like He’s resentful, suspicious, apprehensive, envious. Humanly speaking, we often associate jealousy with weakness and insecurity. And these human-ish things sound so . . . negative.

There’s nothing negative about God.

Rather, the idea of God and jealousy can be understood positively. David Crowder sings, “He is jealous for me. Love’s like a hurricane. I am a tree bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy. . . Oh, how He loves us!” (“How He Loves” David Crowder*Band)

God is a jealous God. He is intolerant of anything or anyone taking His worthy place of affection and loyalty in our lives. For us to offer worship–affection, loyalty, obedience, adulation, devotion–to any other person or thing is to bow ourselves to the profane rather than the Holy, the worthy One upon whom our very existence depends. He is worthy of all our love and devotion, flowing from all our heart, all our soul, all our strength, and all our mind. (Deuteronomy 6:5, Matthew 22:37-38)

In our home group . . .

We are led into God’s presence, worshiping and meditating together on the incredible display of His love as He allowed Himself to be led as Lamb to slaughter. Having given Himself so freely, lavishly . . . sacrificially. Does He not have the right to be jealous for our affection, loyalty, obedience . . . surrendered worship?

Someone reflects on the intimacy of fellowship of God’s meeting with His people at the foot of Mt. Sinai–and how quickly hearts turn from the glorious awe of God’s presence to ridiculous idolatry. When Moses confronts his brother Aaron over the shameful, indulgent, wild revelry, Aaron stunningly excuses himself and blame-casts: “They said to me, ‘Make us gods who will go before us’ . . . So I told them, ‘Whoever has any gold jewelry, take it off.” Then they gave me the gold, and I  threw it into the fire and out came this calf!” (Exodus 32, vv. 21-24)

Jealous Father-God, is it possible every time we sin–I sin–it’s as if I excuse myself. “Well, I didn’t sense your loving presence at the moment so . . . well, out came this calf!” 

Forgive me, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, for the affront of my rebellious heart–of our rebellious hearts–for choosing sinful objects of affection rather than bending our knees in your holy presence.

One person shares of jealous feelings in the past when his spouse seems to enjoy friendship with another more than he feels she has for him. Could this somehow be like God’s attitude about His Bride? 

“Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” Could it be that having more affection for anything or anyone that usurps one’s affection for God ignites God’s jealousy?

Oh, how He loves us!

Another shares how God seems to be trimming away everything in his life that he may have allowed to compete with God’s rightful place. Trimming, pruning–sometimes, even excruciating chopping–away those branches that aren’t bearing fruit–until there’s just the Vine to count on. Perhaps such unfettered dependency demonstrates joyful obedience responding to lavish love. (John 15:1-17)

Later another sends a group text: “Reading John 17–slowly this morning, what depth of purpose! .. where Jesus prays for us. ‘I in them and YOU in Me, that they may be made perfect in One, and that the world may know You have sent Me, and have LOVED them, as You have loved Me.’” (John 17:22-23)  

And I reflect, Lord, you prayed with a jealous heart, a loving heart. Longing over us, requiring our affection and adoration is rooted in the deep of who you are, in foundations of your love.

“He is jealous for me. Love’s like a hurricane. I am a tree bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy. . . Oh, how He loves us!” 

Lover of my soul, draw me close in your embrace. No idols. Rather, worship, adoration, surrender, joy.