Does God get jealous?

[humble soul]

I think I remember reading that he does . That He doesn't like us worhsipping false gods. Whatever form those false gods take, whether they be other religions or money or status or drugs and so on.
Yet jealousy is a sin?
An atheist who was an ex Christian pointed this out to me. I didn't have an answer for him.

 

[King Dan of Great the 1st]

Good question. I like people who ask hard questions.

 

[humble soul]

Good question. I like people who ask hard questions.

I suspect the answer might be along the lines "divine jealousy is different" .......

 

[Luminous_Rose]

In short, the answer is "yes", our God is a "jealous" God.

Exodus 20:5
You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me,

Deuteronomy 4:24
For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

Joshua 24:19
Then Joshua said to the people, “You will not be able to serve the Lord, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgression or your sins.

There are a few of them. The obsolete meaning for the word "jealous" actually means "fear of loss". It doesn't mean what it does today. I know someone might say, "I will make them jealous by doing this one thing they always wanted to do and not invite them." That's today's version, but it used to. That's a little interesting side note to keep in mind.

However, the Hebrew word in Exodus 20:5 is qanna' (jealous) meaning: used of God as not bearing any rival; the severe avenger of departure from himself.

Severe avenger of departure from himself. Sounds like it could be fear of losing us and us straying away?

 

[Tessa]

Jealousy is not sin, envy is sin.
Jealousy is worrying that someone will take away something you already have.
Envy is wanting something that belongs to somebody else.

 

[humble soul]

What Does the Bible Say About Jealousy? Is it a Sin?

While it may seem trivial to be worried about an emotion like jealousy, it often leads people to act out in ways that are harmful to themselves or others. Understanding what jealousy is, and recognizing it, can help shape the way believers respond to it, and strengthen someone’s walk with God.

www.biblestudytools.com

 

[humble soul]

Jealousy is not sin, envy is sin.
Jealousy is worrying that someone will take away something you already have.
Envy is wanting something that belongs to somebody else.

I suspect you are right Tessa but I still have my reservations about jealousy behaviour.
Say I am at a party. My wife starts talking to a guy and she seems to be really enjoying it. it goes on for an hour. her face is radiant! After the party we talk and she says how enjoyable it was to talk to him. I start to feel jealous out of feelings of insecurity. Now from that feeling of jealousy, I want to know my wife's movement and schedule, interrogating her when she gets home. In short becoming a control freak. Lack of trust.
So when I hear that God can be jealous, I wonder if he wants to micro manage me. Control every movement. Like big brother.
Jealousy can be a dangerous emotion which can lead to more serious sin. I am not sure I like idea of God being jealous for those reasons.

 

[Prycejosh1987]

He does according to the bible. When we put other things first in our lives, it makes God angry because he wants to be first and does things to create connections with human beings.

 

[Tessa]

I suspect you are right Tessa but I still have my reservations about jealousy behaviour.
Say I am at a party. My wife starts talking to a guy and she seems to be really enjoying it. it goes on for an hour. her face is radiant! After the party we talk and she says how enjoyable it was to talk to him. I start to feel jealous out of feelings of insecurity. Now from that feeling of jealousy, I want to know my wife's movement and schedule, interrogating her when she gets home. In short becoming a control freak. Lack of trust.
So when I hear that God can be jealous, I wonder if he wants to micro manage me. Control every movement. Like big brother.
Jealousy can be a dangerous emotion which can lead to more serious sin. I am not sure I like idea of God being jealous for those reasons.

That would be your reaction, which you would have to learn to control. We have to learn to trust
When you both get home from your party you could simply say you were jealous when you saw how much she enjoyed talking to him. Theyigjt jabr been saying move things about you. You would be jealous because you don't want to lose her. So instead of becoming a control freak, which could make you lose her, make sure you communicate well .

God loves us He doesn't want to lose is, but at the same time He givrs us free will.

 

[Who Me]

I suspect you are right Tessa but I still have my reservations about jealousy behaviour.
Say I am at a party. My wife starts talking to a guy and she seems to be really enjoying it. it goes on for an hour. her face is radiant! After the party we talk and she says how enjoyable it was to talk to him. I start to feel jealous out of feelings of insecurity. Now from that feeling of jealousy, I want to know my wife's movement and schedule, interrogating her when she gets home. In short becoming a control freak. Lack of trust.
So when I hear that God can be jealous, I wonder if he wants to micro manage me. Control every movement. Like big brother.
Jealousy can be a dangerous emotion which can lead to more serious sin. I am not sure I like idea of God being jealous for those reasons.

And that is a good example of jealousy that is a sin.
However if you were pleased your wife had enjoyed an evening of conversation, but later discovered the person she had been talking to was bad mouthing her your jealous reaction in defence of your wife's name would not be a sin.

That is God's jealousy, it is not because of low self estime but out of concern for what is best for us and to protect his reputation.

 

[humble soul]

God loves us He doesn't want to lose is, but at the same time He givrs us free will

I don't want to be argumentative but I find this unconvincing. because if you admit God is jealous , some of the negative behaviour would come with it. Jealousy is usually associated with a negative emotion that leads to bad behaviour.

 

[humble soul]

He does according to the bible. When we put other things first in our lives, it makes God angry because he wants to be first and does things to create connections with human beings.

God wants to be first? Is he so selfish? Can't he share us?

 

[humble soul]

It all depends on level of jealousy.
We can assume that God's jealousy stays at a healthy level. A possessiveness that doesn't get out of hand. That respects our freedom but secretly hopes our attention will turn to him.
No jealousy might suggest no love.
"See if I care. Go worship your false idols."
God does care so there is a hint of jealousy like any real lover.

 

[humble soul]

I just answered my own question. Very well I might add.

 

[WIP]

I suspect you are right Tessa but I still have my reservations about jealousy behaviour.
Say I am at a party. My wife starts talking to a guy and she seems to be really enjoying it. it goes on for an hour. her face is radiant! After the party we talk and she says how enjoyable it was to talk to him. I start to feel jealous out of feelings of insecurity. Now from that feeling of jealousy, I want to know my wife's movement and schedule, interrogating her when she gets home. In short becoming a control freak. Lack of trust.
So when I hear that God can be jealous, I wonder if he wants to micro manage me. Control every movement. Like big brother.
Jealousy can be a dangerous emotion which can lead to more serious sin. I am not sure I like idea of God being jealous for those reasons.

Somehow, I highly doubt that God is insecure.

 

[humble soul]

Somehow, I highly doubt that God is insecure.

I made it easy for you guys by using myself as an example. And I still haven't received a good answer to the question .

 

[Who Me]

b
Jealousy is usually associated with a negative emotion that leads to bad behaviour.

In saying ' usually associated ' you have identified your problem with the idea that jealousy is automatically bad.

God does a number of things usually associated with bad things.
God is Angry, he hates, as discussed jealous and rightous.
In all these God does not sin.
God's anger at sin and the effects of sin is a right responce. Sin is distructive and is not healthy.
God's hatred of the effects of sin for those who deliberately spoils others leading them deeper into sin and godlessness is again right and is not sinful.
God's jealous regard for what is best for us, for the honour of his name is not wrong, it is not sinful.
Equally God's rightousness is not a proud or prigish rightousness it is part of his character.

If you believe God is being sinful you will have to make a case for it, explaining clearly how God sins by exhibiting these characteristics.