The Bible is CLEARLY against jealousy (Galatians 5:20; Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 12:20; James 3:14; James 3:16) and condemns it.
However, God himself CLEARLY claims to be a Jealous God! (Exodus 20:5; Deuteronomy 4:24; 5:9; 6:15; 29:20; 32:21; Joshua 24:19). In fact, God even declares that his holy NAME is JEALOUS! (Exodus 34:14).
So, how do we differentiate between the two? Don't they experience the same exact emotions? If not, then God is confusing us with his divine revelation. Well, the Bible does not explain the difference but simply illustrates it for us to know what it looks like. Why? Because the Bible is supposed to be understood by the simplest minds, hence, "a picture is worth a thousand words".
Human jealousy creates bitterness, anger, resentment and even seeks some kind of revenge to hurt the object of jealousy. It drives the jealous one to sin if unguarded. Human jealousy is motivated by possessiveness and triggered by selfish anger and is normally satisfied by hurting the object of jealousy (Proverbs 6:34).
The motive of divine jealousy is to protect the name, integrity and well-being of the object of such jealousy. It is jealousy motivated and triggered by true covenant-love (Hebrew: kheced). It is a jealousy that desires that the object of jealousy be back on the right track. It is only satisfied by the restoration of the object of jealousy into the right path.
Divine jealousy may be exercised by humans too and God REWARDS those who do exercise it.
2 Corinthians 11:2; Numbers 25:13
However, God himself CLEARLY claims to be a Jealous God! (Exodus 20:5; Deuteronomy 4:24; 5:9; 6:15; 29:20; 32:21; Joshua 24:19). In fact, God even declares that his holy NAME is JEALOUS! (Exodus 34:14).So, how do we differentiate between the two? Don't they experience the same exact emotions? If not, then God is confusing us with his divine revelation. Well, the Bible does not explain the difference but simply illustrates it for us to know what it looks like. Why? Because the Bible is supposed to be understood by the simplest minds, hence, "a picture is worth a thousand words".
Human jealousy creates bitterness, anger, resentment and even seeks some kind of revenge to hurt the object of jealousy. It drives the jealous one to sin if unguarded. Human jealousy is motivated by possessiveness and triggered by selfish anger and is normally satisfied by hurting the object of jealousy (Proverbs 6:34).
The motive of divine jealousy is to protect the name, integrity and well-being of the object of such jealousy. It is jealousy motivated and triggered by true covenant-love (Hebrew: kheced). It is a jealousy that desires that the object of jealousy be back on the right track. It is only satisfied by the restoration of the object of jealousy into the right path.
Divine jealousy may be exercised by humans too and God REWARDS those who do exercise it.
2 Corinthians 11:2; Numbers 25:13
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