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The love of God is a jealous love.

This might be one of the most misunderstood concepts in the Bible, a stumbling block that can be deliberately twisted by those who want to undermine biblical faith.  Or, scare people who have experienced the destructive aspects of human jealousy.

Can jealousy be a godly attribute?  It’s not hard to relate to a human being crashing around in a jealous rage if a relationship is threatened by a rival.  But God?  Can you imagine Him as a jealous lover?

That’s exactly what He is! “For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God” (Deuteronomy 4:24), Moses taught the children of Israel.  God’s love is so rich, so high, and so deep that we cannot begin to fathom it—but it is a love that jealously desires our undivided hearts.

Good and Bad Jealousy
Jealousy comes in two forms: the sinful kind and the godly kind.

Sinful jealousy displays a total lack of trust and understanding for the object of love.  Selfish, self-seeking, self-preserving, it cares more for self than the other person.

But with God the motives are pure.  Moses explained, “For you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God” (Exodus 34:14).  God is jealous over us; He will not share us with another because He knows it is not in our best interest.  He knows worldly passions can steal our hearts and hurt us.

“For love is strong as death,” wrote the young woman in the Song of Solomon’s love story  “Jealousy as cruel as the grave; its flames are flames of fire, a most vehement fire”  (Song of Solomon 8:6).  This story of two lovers is a picture of God’s love.

The biblical concept of God’s jealous comes from the Hebrew word, Qanna, which is translated as "jealous," "zealous," or "envy." The fundamental meaning relates to a marriage relationship. God is depicted as Israel's husband; He is a jealous God, wanting us for Himself and no one else.  To be zealous is to be enthusiastic and diligent and devoted!  This is how God loves us!

Hot, Intense, Passionate!
The Lord’s emotional attitude toward us can only be described by fire!  It’s hot, it’s intense, and it’s passionate!  Yet so many people never experience this love.  Henry David Thoreau wrote, “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation.”  I look around at our world and think, sadly, he’s right.  

Jesus wrote to the church in the book of Revelation, “I wish that you were hot or cold!” (see Revelation 3:15).  Even people who are cold can at least be passionate about their bitterness and their unbelief.  Jesus implied that such people are actually closer to the kingdom of heaven because at least there is a spark of passion in their lives.

Think of the apostle Paul.  He persecuted Christians with a hateful zeal that caused believers to fear the sound of his name.  Yet, I can’t help but think that this passion, misguided and misused as it was, made him more vulnerable to the blinding Light that struck him down when Jesus confronted him on the road to Damascus.

“Because you are lukewarm,” Jesus continued in Revelation, “I will vomit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:16).  I can’t imagine a more graphic picture of godly disdain. There is nothing worse than a human being made in the image of God who lives a passionless life.  You were not made for such a bleak existence!  In fact, it will drive you crazy!  You were made to know passion.  You were made to know God.  Your body was created to house His glory.  He jealously desires such a life for you!

If we knew a man who said, “It doesn’t matter to me how my wife bestows her favors upon others.  Why, I’m so large-hearted that I can share her with anyone,” most of us would think that such a man doesn’t really love his wife.  He doesn’t care who uses her, or how her emotions get tossed about.  There is a kind of jealous love that says, “I know you and I love you.  I want to provide for you, protect you, bless you, and know you intimately.”

Similarly, Paul the apostle, writing to the church in Corinth, said, “I am jealous for you with godly jealousy”  (2 Corinthians 11:2).  Because Paul cared so deeply for this flock of believers, he was saying, “I’m jealous for you, and because I’m jealous, if I see you getting off track, I’m going to confront you in love.”

Dwight L. Moody wrote, “The truth is that men and women were made to be friends and lovers of God!  We were made with no other purpose.  Until we realize this we will live lives of turmoil, confusion and despair.”  (A Passion for Souls, p. 192).

We are made to be on a heavenly course, being drawn closer and closer to our Heavenly Father, who jealously, lovingly, guards our hearts and souls.