Circle of Grace

I am woman, taken from man, created in the image and likeness of God and I carry His name.  Jealous.  Yes. I am my Daddy’s girl.  (Exodus 34:14).

God is jealous over us.   He created us for His honor and glory. He loves us and there is no comparison to the magnitude of His love. His love compelled Him to make the ultimate sacrifice for man – the death of His only begotten son. Therefore He gets jealous when we put anyone or anything before or above Him. 

“For the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God, as tender in the matters of his worship as the husband is of the honour of the marriage-bed. Jealousy is called the rage of a man (Proverbs 6:34), but it is God’s holy and just displeasure. Those cannot worship God aright who do not worship him alone.” (Matthew Henry’s Partial Commentary of Exodus 34:14)

Jealousy – vigilance in maintaining or guarding something (Dictionary.com). I love this definition because it correlates with my thoughts on jealousy in the context of the man and woman relationship. It also highlights the fact that I believe because I have been made in the image and likeness of my Father, I am entitled to express this emotion in a constructive manner when my love, once acquired is threatened or dashed away for another.

In recent years I have always pondered over how easy it seems for persons to be unfaithful to their mates. How quickly one or the other becomes distracted and lose interest. I often wonder if the one who walks away believe that they had a valid reason for doing so, and what the possible reasons could have been. In the same token I look at couples reciting their wedding vows and wonder how long and what would it take for one or the other to decide to break those vows by being unfaithful. Maybe I’ve gotten a little jaded.

But I remember my vows. Well, I remember the line that comes to mind when the subject of an unfaithful partner is raised. The vows were read by the officiant “_____, wilt thou have this woman/man to be thy wedded wife/husband…forsaking all others keep thee only unto her/him as long as you both shall live?” Each person would have to respond, “I do”, or “I don’t”. In all of my attendance at weddings, I have never seen a gun held to anyone’s head when responding to this question. Both parties, albeit with fluttering hearts, knocking knees and stars in their eyes, would gleefully say, “I do”.

The marital relationship is mirrored after God’s relationship with us – a mutually exclusive love affair. Collectively and individually we were created to love Him and out of that love should proceed true worship and devotion. What bothers me with what I’ve seen and experienced is that He’s given us everything that pertains to life and godliness, and yet over time, we find ourselves turning aside to serve inanimate objects, and even people, as gods.   Do you know how insulting that is to Him? Can you imagine how painful that is to a God whose singular love for humankind knows no bounds?

QUESTION: What do you think? Is jealousy ever warranted?