What does it mean to say that God is jealous?
The first thing that comes to our mind is the Commandment which forbids idolatry.
You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or 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 or serve them; for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me,
but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments (Exodus 20:4-6).
So, here is a common sense understanding of the jealousy of God. He describes Himself as a jealous God, like a husband. If Israelites worship idols, their actions would be similar to an unfaithful wife who has an extra-marital affair. Of course, God would be angry, would be jealous to protect His property, His inheritance. This jealousy is punitive, visiting the iniquity to the fourth generation.
The first thing that comes to our mind is the Commandment which forbids idolatry.
You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or 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 or serve them; for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me,
but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments (Exodus 20:4-6).
So, here is a common sense understanding of the jealousy of God. He describes Himself as a jealous God, like a husband. If Israelites worship idols, their actions would be similar to an unfaithful wife who has an extra-marital affair. Of course, God would be angry, would be jealous to protect His property, His inheritance. This jealousy is punitive, visiting the iniquity to the fourth generation.
How shall we interpret the following verse?
Thus says the LORD of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath (Zechariah 8:2)
The word "jealous" is only a translation of a Hebrew word קִנְאָה which has a shade of meanings. It may mean the usual jealous, it can also mean zealous, to burn with zeal. Let us see how it has been translated into Chinese.
萬軍的上主這樣說：「我以極度的妒愛，愛著熙雍，為了她我發了很大的妒恨。」
Thus says the LORD of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath (Zechariah 8:2)
The word "jealous" is only a translation of a Hebrew word קִנְאָה which has a shade of meanings. It may mean the usual jealous, it can also mean zealous, to burn with zeal. Let us see how it has been translated into Chinese.
萬軍的上主這樣說：「我以極度的妒愛，愛著熙雍，為了她我發了很大的妒恨。」
Here is another understanding of the jealousy of God. When an emotion becomes intense, it is impossible to tell the difference between love and jealousy. The Chinese translation puts the two together, reflecting a Hebrew style. Truly, in Hebrew literature we can easily find opposites bundled together.
I believe that the relation between God and the Israelites must have been a sweet and sour one. There were people and times when the Israelites pleased God very much. There were also people and times, I am afraid this accounted for the majority, when the Israelites provoked God to wrath. Still, God was jealous, was zealous for their good. This jealousy is formative. It is for the good of the Israelites. That is why God is faithful even when we are not.
if we are faithless, he remains faithful--for he cannot deny himself. (2 Timothy 2:13)
This faithfulness is difficult to harmonize with the first interpretation of God's jealousy which is punitive. But it fits well with the second interpretation of a jealousy of love, a formative jealousy for the good of the loved ones.
I believe that the relation between God and the Israelites must have been a sweet and sour one. There were people and times when the Israelites pleased God very much. There were also people and times, I am afraid this accounted for the majority, when the Israelites provoked God to wrath. Still, God was jealous, was zealous for their good. This jealousy is formative. It is for the good of the Israelites. That is why God is faithful even when we are not.
if we are faithless, he remains faithful--for he cannot deny himself. (2 Timothy 2:13)
This faithfulness is difficult to harmonize with the first interpretation of God's jealousy which is punitive. But it fits well with the second interpretation of a jealousy of love, a formative jealousy for the good of the loved ones.
We should not find fault with the Exodus interpretation of God's jealousy. I believe that both religion and theology have to go through an evolution, so that our understanding of God is constantly refined.
Dear Lord, May Your jealousy for us drive us towards an ever higher level of union with You. Amen.
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