In the Scriptures, there is a phrase in Exodus 34:14, that says “the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” While in 1 John 4:8, we are informed that “God is love”. We are also told in 1 Corinthian 13:4-8, that “Love… does not envy”.
Jealousy as we human beings know it, is different from that of God’s. the word jealous can be defined in three manners according to the dictionary:
- It can be defined as feeling or showing envy of someone or their achievements and advantages (this is the more familiar emotions with us human beings).
- It can also be defined as feeling or showing suspicion of someone’s unfaithfulness in a relationship (this is relevant to the Scripture text in Exodus 34:14).
- Also as fiercely protective or vigilant of one’s rights or possession (this is relevant to the Scripture text in Exodus 34:14).
So, what does the phrase “…Jealous, is a jealous God” mean? We know that where there is no law, there is no sin. When God said that He is a jealous God, that statement was made, in the giving of the Laws. An important factor is that, God gives (gave) everything to man (God actually metaphorically refers to man as His lover/partner). It follows that when a person gives everything (Himself, His life as sacrifice) to their partner in love, is it too much to expect that, their partner reciprocates? Here is the application of definitions “B” and “C” of Jealous.
Therefore, God expects man to be as devoted to Him, as He is devoted to man. As a result of which, God is not willing to share the devotion, feeling or emotion of the object/subject of His Love (that is man) with anything or anybody (Do not have any other God besides Me). This aptly expresses definitions “B” and “C”, and partly explains the Jealousy. What is good for the Goose is good for the Gander.
In spite of this nature of God, and because God is Love, He endows man with free will, and with this free will, man is free to choose whether to love God or not. An important aspect of true love is the willingness to set the object/subject of love free, and if this object/subject comes back to you, then you know that it (he or she) truly loves you.
The statement “God is a jealous God” is more of a reference statement or standard setting; in the giving of the Law, an indicative statement, of what can or does result in sin on the part of man, when or if man chooses to give his affection to something or somebody else, other than God. This would be noted as a sin against God.
However, according to 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, God does not keep records of wrong, when man repents and turn back to give his affections, love, totally to God, God then wipe away the record, because God is a merciful God. God is Love.
