God Attribute, 51

~ God Is A Jealous God ~

 

This Series  ~  This series of posts looks at some of the many attributes of God.  Generally, we move in alphabetical order.

 

Introduction  ~  It is abundantly clear in Scripture that God is jealous of His people’s affection and love. In the New Testament the Apostle Paul reminds us that God is a jealous God. 

 

“Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly — and indeed you do bear with me. For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband [Jesus Christ], that I may present you as a chaste virgin [the Bride of Christ] to Christ. 2 Cor 11:1-3

 

Scripture  ~  "You shall not make for yourself a carved image — any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God” (Exodus 20:4-5a).

 

“But you shall destroy their altars, break their sacred pillars, and cut down their wooden images (for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God)” (Exodus 34:13-15a).

 

“For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God” (Deuteronomy 4:24).

 

“You shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God” (Deuteronomy 5:9-10a).

 

“You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are all around you (for the Lord your God is a jealous God among you)” (Deuteronomy 6:14-15a).

 

“But Joshua said to the people, ‘You cannot serve the Lord, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God" (Joshua 24:19a).

 

“Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Now I will bring back the captives of Jacob, and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for My holy name’” (Ezekiel 39:25).

 

“God is jealous, and the Lord avenges; the Lord avenges and is furious. The Lord will take vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserves wrath for His enemies” (Nahum 1:2).

 

Comment  ~  While these Old Testament verses relate to the gods of other nations it is clear that our jealous God did not want His people worshipping other gods. In our day we easily make gods, that we worship, out of many things including material objects, sports, hobbies, or a wide variety of other things. An idol is anything that we give more affection to than our God. Is there anything in your life which you value more than God?

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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