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It is important to understand how the word "jealous" is used. Its use in Exodus 20:5 to describe God is different from how it is used to describe the sin of jealousy (Galatians 5:20). When we use t...
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I would like to offer my answer in a 'simplistic' way that comes from many years of pondering this exact question and seeking His Truth from reading and studying His Word. (1) GOD is The Great "I AM"! He is "everlasting--to--EVERLASTING"! If any being has any right to be "jealous"---IT IS HIM! (2) He Created ALL THINGS! ***If it exists, He created it." *** (3) He IS DESERVING because "He is LOVE", and Totally Righteous and Holy as the "One who knew NO SIN!" (4) and, Loved us so much that He sacrificed "His one and only begotten Son" on a cross just so He could die on that cross while taking all of our sins away for all eternity. By His sacrifice, we, as his believing children, can have a home in Heaven to be with Him for eternity! So, again...He ONLY has a right to be jealous when anyone of all creation doesn't "honor Him with their worship, praise and giving Him all the Glory!" Everyone is given the opportunity to know Him, to accept Him and to Believe and Trust in Him as their ONLY Lord and Savior! Only GOD has the "right to be jealous, for ONLY He is GOD!" "ONLY HE IS WORTHY TO BE PRAISED!" AMEN...and, AMEN! --Andy--
In the old testament before Jesus came, Israel worshiped other Gods. They finally quit doing that after God chastened them. In the new testament, we only worship The Lord of the bible. We are saved by grace so we would never worship another God. We know there is no other God than the God of the bible. He is the only one we worship. We have no other God than our awesome God. Since He sent His son to save us guilty sinners, as a free gift, we love Him for what he has done to save us and only worship Him. Since His spirit lives in us when we trusted Him to save us, He would never condemn a child of His own no matter what we do. He loves us so much. We are his children and he always forgives us no matter what. Way more than our earthly father could do. We can no longer worship other Gods cause there are no other Gods to worship.
It is sometimes hard to answer questions about God because, we, as humans cannot understand his ways. The Bible even says "My Ways are above your ways" (Isaiah 55:9). So what are we to do. Sometimes, I believe it helps to look at the question in human terms, though that is a dangerous thing, (It would be better to just accept it without question). That being said, the way I would put this question in human terms is to equate the question to a human family. If you have a son who you love, provide for and also discipline who rejects you for the wild side of life, would you not feel hurt and rejected. That is the kind of jealous that GOD is. Jealous for the Love, respect and honor He deserves. AND HE DESERVES SO MUCH MORE THAN WE GIVE. Especially those who are not just in but of the world.
Another quick and simple explanation involves fatherly discipline. Proverbs 9:10 says that “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:... “ The term “jealous” in this context is meant to instill a healthy “fear” in the believer to avoid the sin or idolatry.
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