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The Christian Perspective on the Old Testament

Unfortunately, too many Christians have allowed themselves to harbor extreme views with regard to the role which they permit the Old Testame...

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

The Jealous God

"I the Lord thy God am a jealous God" Exodus 20:5 and Deuteronomy 5:9
"For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God" Exodus 34:14
"For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God" Deuteronomy 4:24
"For the Lord thy God is a jealous God among you" Deuteronomy 6:15

It should be noted here that the Hebrew word translated into English as "jealous" in these verses is only employed in reference to God in the Hebrew Old Testament. Strong's Concordance The word is never used to refer to humans. Hence, it is very clear that whatever we are talking about here is not a human quality - it is a Divine quality (one that only God possesses).
In fact, we learn in Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon referenced as part of the Blue Letter Bible, that this term is used to indicate that the Hebrew God will not tolerate any rivals and will not ignore those who turn away from Him. This is consistent with the context in which it is always used. Notice that it appears in conjunction with the commandment against the creation of any image or likeness (anything designed to represent the Divine).
In other words, God is God; and there is no other! This language includes using anything man made to represent God - that includes the Bible.
Scripture is clear here. God is not jealous in the sense that we humans understand the word. God is conveying to us that He/She will not tolerate any rivals for the affection and devotion that we owe to Him/Her alone.

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