A Jealous Eye - A Heart Like His

1 Samuel 18:28-29 When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days.

Is jealousy ever a proper response toward others?  How could it ever sow good rather than evil? (Read 2 Corinthians 11:2).

2 Corinthians 11:2 says, “For I am jealous of you with the jealousy of God, since I betrothed you to one husband to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.  

The concept of GOD beig jealous can almost seem foreign to us because it refers to the negative thoughts and feelings of insecurity, fear, and anxiety over an anticipated loss of something.  Certainly a powerful and Almighty GOD would not be insecure, anxious, or fearful.  Why then does this scripture and others tell us that GOD is indeed a jealous GOD?

After some research I have learned that both the Old and New Testament words for jealousy are also translated “zeal.” This casts a different light on this scripture because by replacing jealousy with zeal because when someone is zealous about someone or something that person is filled with eager desire.   

GOD has a passionate, consuming zeal for our best interests. He wants us to share that zeal by being jealous for one another’s best interests.  If we shared God’s zeal for other believers our prayer life would not be occupied with our own problems, but we would eagerly solicit God on behalf of the specific needs of others in Christ's name.

When the Bible speaks of GOD being jealous “for” us—(Joel 2:18, Zech. 1:14, 8:2) – how is that different from being jealous “of” someone?

In the above mention scripture all deal with GOD's jealousy. Keep in mind that jealousy the root word in Hebrew is as often translated as "zealous" as it is "jealous".  With this in mind we should feel secure, protected, and deeply loved.  GOD's jealousy is rooted in his great and abiding love for us.

Joel 2:18 says “Then the LORD became jealous for his land and had pity on his people.” 

In Joel 2:18 we clearly see that GOD intervenes with zeal and compassion for his followers.  He intervenes with a zealous compassion and loyalty for what is His. It is because of His love for us that he will restore us if we put our faith in Him.

Zechariah 1:14 reads So the angel who talked with me said to me, ‘Cry out, Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion.

The book of Zechariah tells us about GOD's great love for his people.  It begins with a call for his people to return home to him and proclaims that He willl return to them when they do. 

Finally in Zechariah 8:2 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her."

GOD is jalous for us.  He wants to reform, restore and replenish things in your life just as in Zechariah when God speaks of restoring Jerusalem. Run to him! Do not wait, do not hesitate. There is much he wants to lavish on you sons and daughters!  Be jealous" (zealous) for God’s eternal truth and share it with others.