You used the lovely things I gave you to make shrines for idols, where you played the prostitute. Unbelievable! How could such a thing ever happen? You took the very jewels and gold and silver ornaments I had given you and made statues of men and worshipped them. This is adultery against me! – Ezekiel 16: 16-17

As a child, something about the concept of a jealous God didn’t sit well with me.

In my head I thought, Isn’t jealousy a bad thing? Like being bitter and mean to someone because you don’t have what they have?

But the more I read and study Scripture, the more I realize that God’s jealousy is completely justified.

Since we were created in God’s image, that means we carry the emotions that originated from Him – sadness, anger, joy, etc.

Yet unlike us, all of His emotions stem from love because He is love.

So if God is jealous, it’s not an indication that there is a part of His character that is bad.

His jealousy is moreso a manifestation of His hurt and disappointment that we would choose to prioritize something or someone over Him when He’s the one who gave us life, blessed us with everything we have, and loves us more than anyone ever could.

Our relationship with God is sacred; that’s why marriage is used in Scripture to describe the relationship we (the church) have with Him.

So committing adultery against God is a HUGE no-no.

And interestingly, adultery is addressed twice within the 10 commandments: We are not to commit adultery against God, and we are not to commit adultery in earthly marriages.

Jesus Himself even said in Matthew 5: 32 that adultery is the only reasonable grounds for couples to divorce! (But I digress)

We must remember that all God really wants from us is our faithfulness.

And He wants us to live in His will which is always aligned with love and truth. That’s what His jealousy is all about!

Be blessed,

Alexia

Prayer: God, please forgive me if I’ve ever put people or earthly things above you. I recognize that you come first in everything, and I pray that you would renew me right now with your Holy Spirit. With each passing day, help me to grow closer and closer to you in our relationship. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.