The Jealousy and Wrath of God
by Heath Rogers

There are many great characteristics that make up the nature of our God. We are blessed to enjoy the pleasant characteristics (love, mercy, patience, kindness, forgiveness, etc.). However, Romans 11:22 calls upon us to consider both the goodness and severity of God. To leave out the "unpleasant" parts of God's nature is to give ourselves an incomplete picture of who God really is, which will render us unprepared to meet our God in judgment.

Among many things, the Bible says God is a jealous God. "For the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God" (Ex. 34:14)

The English word "jealous" comes from a Latin word meaning "zeal or emulation." In its most basic root form (in both English and in Biblical Languages) the word can refer to that which is both positive and negative.

Jealous is defined as being "fearful that a person one loves may love or prefer someone else" (World Book Dictionary). Being in an important or exclusive relationship with someone can lead to feelings of jealousy (boyfriend/girlfriend, spouses, children or grandchildren, etc.). However, it is interesting to note that the jealousy of God is very much a part of the definition of the English word jealous.

The Hebrew word used to refer to jealousy (qanna) is more specific in its meaning. "This noun is used solely of God and in the context of idolatry. It shows the parallel between adultery and idolatry" (Harris, Archer and Waltke). "Adultery" is the violation of a very special and exclusive covenant relationship - marriage. God sees His covenant people as a special people (Ex. 19:5; 1 Pet. 2:9-10). God expects us to hold Him as being equally special to us. When we don't, God is jealous of our affections being given to someone or something else. "I am the Lord, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images" (Is. 42:8).

The provoking of God's jealousy brings forth His wrath. "For the Lord your God is a jealous God among you, lest the anger of the Lord your God be aroused against you and destroy you from the face of the earth" (Deut. 6:15, cf. Nahum 1:2; Zeph. 1:18). The destruction of Solomon's Temple and the Babylonian Captivity was the result of Judah provoking God's jealousy with idolatry (Ps. 79:1-5; Ezek. 16:42).

The New Testament warns against provoking God's jealousy (1 Cor. 10:22). Consider some things we can do to keep from provoking God's jealousy and bringing His wrath upon us.

1. Loving God With All Our Being. "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment" (Mark 12:30). We have obligations to others, but God must come first (Matt. 10:37).

2. Being Faithful To God's Word. If we love God, we will keep His commandments (1 John 5:3). Our relationship with God is dependent upon our willingness to obey God's commands (Eccl. 12:13). Picking and choosing which commands we will obey and how we will obey them is a certain way to provoke God to jealousy and wrath.

3. Showing Preference To God's Kingdom. "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matt. 6:33). Our loyalty to the Lord and to His church is shown in numerous ways - all of which are important.

4. Worshiping God Correctly. God will only accept worship that is in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). Worship in spirit comes from the heart, not from mindless routine. Worship in truth is according to the pattern set forth in the New Testament. We are not to introduce unauthorized worship to God in the church assemblies, nor should we attempt to worship God in places or situations where God is not worshipped acceptably.

5. Living the Way God Wants Us To Live. "Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, 'The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously?'" (James 4:4-5). We may not bow down before idols today, but we are taking glory, honor and service away from God when we love and pursue the things of the world above God. We must present our bodies as living sacrifices to God, not willing vessels to participate in worldly sins (Rom. 12:1-2).

God has told you that He is a jealous God. If you are a Christian, you have entered into a covenant relationship with God. He demands complete faithfulness and exclusive loyalty, worship, and love.

You must remember that spiritual unfaithfulness will provoke God's jealousy, which will bring God's wrath upon you.


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