A jealous God?
The other day, I received a question via Facebook from a friend asking about a passage she had read in the Old Testament. Her query related to a turn of phrase used in the Book of Exodus where God describes Himself as a “jealous God” (Exodus 20:4-6). What did it mean? Why would God ever be “jealous”? Surely jealousy is always a bad thing?
God as Man
When reading the Old Testament, we often come across what is known as “anthropomorphic language” (AN-THROW-PO-MOR-FIC). This is where Scripture speaks of God as though he possessed human attributes.
There are many forms and examples of anthropomorphism in the Old Testament. For example, God is spoken of having human characteristics such as “eyes” (2 Samuel 22:7), an “arm” (Job 40:9) and a “head” (Daniel 7:9). Additionally, we are told that the Lord experiences the human emotions of “joy” (Isaiah 65:19) and “grief” (Judges 10:16).
Why does Scripture do this? Well, anthropomorphisms are used to communicate truth by analogy; it’s rather hard to narrate a story involving the timeless, transcendent God. In short, Scripture is teaching us about God in terms we can understand.
God as Husband
So, if Scripture is using an analogy to explain something to us, what is that “something” it’s trying to explain in this case?
When trying to understand any verse of Scripture, we must always look to its context. The context of the “jealous God” phrase is the episode in which God gives “The Ten Commandments”. God begins the Decalogue by completely banning the worship of any other God. What is the reason He gives? He explains that it is “for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God”.
All this took place on Mount Sinai, when God was entering into covenant with Israel through Moses. The Lord was swearing an oath to them, making Israel His special people, part of His family. A very similar thing happens at a wedding when a man and a woman invoke the name of the Lord and swear an oath to one another and thus become family. It is for this reason that, again and again in Scripture, we see the relationship between God and His people spoken of in spousal terms:
And I will betroth you to me for ever; I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love, and in mercy – Hosea 2:19
Given this context, we can see that God is “jealous” for Israel’s affections. God did not want Israel to enter into a relationship with any other “gods”. This is also why, when the prophets rebuked the people for their unfaithfulness to the Lord and His covenant, they spoke of Israel’s betrayal in terms of adultery.
Sole Soul Mates
We can now hopefully see that “jealous[y]” isn’t necessarily such a bad thing. If a man walked up to your front door, gave your wife some flowers and asked her out on a date, I think it’s a okay to be a bit jealous! In fact, I would think something was a little wrong if you weren’t!
You and your wife are in a life-long covenant together to the exclusion of all others. It is for this reason that the Lord described Himself as “jealous” – he wanted Israel’s undivided allegiance. What he desired from the Children of Israel, He desires from us also: our love, our loyalty and our devotion, ’til death do us unite.
I’m not a fan of anthropomorphism in the bible. It was the only way to communicate certain ideas to the audience of the time (as you say), but, ironically, it does also the exact opposite by giving the wrong picture to people today. Jealousy is a feeling and an unholy feeling at that. God does not have feelings and certainly does not have unholy feelings. But this sentiment might have been necessary for the people at the time, which is why a sound historical footing and a contextual understanding is so important.
Thanks for sharing Joe 🙂
> It was the only way to communicate certain ideas to the audience of the time (as you say)…
I’m actually not hugely sure about that…at least to the same extent. I think you’re always forced into anthropomorphism when you’re attempting to describe a God who transcends time and space. You have no choice but to use analogy (“God is like…”).
> …, but, ironically, it does also the exact opposite by giving the wrong picture to people today
When we ascribe certain characteristics to God, sure. However, many Christians today are comforted and inspired by the passages of the Bible in which God speaks about his passion for His people, when anthropomorphism is used to describe “good” characteristics.
> Jealousy is a feeling and an unholy feeling at that.
Hmmm…I wouldn’t say that. St. Thomas Aquinas doesn’t seem to hold such a negative view of either:
“Jealousy, in whatever way it’s taken, arises from intensity of love” — St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae (I-II, 28, 4)
In this article I didn’t delve into the New Testament, but you find a concept of “good” jealousy there too:
Unfaithful creatures! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is in vain that the scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit which he has made to dwell in us”? – James 4:4-6
I [Paul] feel a divine jealousy for you, for I betrothed you to Christ to present you as a pure bride to her one husband. – 2 Corinthians 11:2
“Envy” might be a different matter though.
> …which is why a sound historical footing and a contextual understanding is so important
Absolutely. The comments on Facebook often show the anachronistic manner in which some people approach the Scriptures and it more-often-than-not tends to be their undoing.