Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8700 Threats to the life of faith » 8773 jealousy A strong feeling of possessiveness, often caused by the possibility that something which belongs, or ought to belong, to one is about to be taken away. The word can be used in a positive sense (e.g., the jealousy of God), meaning a passionate commitment to something which rightly belongs to one. It can also be used in a negative sense (e.g., human jealousy), to mean a self-destructive human emotion similar to envy. God's jealousy for his people God's jealousy demands an exclusive response from his people Exodus 20:4-6 See also Exodus 34:14; Deuteronomy 32:16,21 God pictured as a jealous husband with an unfaithful wife God is jealously protective of his people Joel 2:18 See also Isaiah 26:11; Zechariah 1:14-15; Zechariah 8:2 God possessiveness expresses itself in judgment on his people's unfaithfulness Deuteronomy 4:24 See also Deuteronomy 6:15; Deuteronomy 29:20; Joshua 24:19; 1 Kings 14:22; Ezekiel 23:25; Ezekiel 36:6; Nahum 1:2; Zephaniah 1:18; Zephaniah 3:8 Human jealousy is potentially destructive Human jealousy arises from sin Mark 7:21-23 pp Matthew 15:19-20 Human jealousy can be destructive Proverbs 14:30 See also Job 5:2; Proverbs 27:4; Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 Human jealousy is criticised by Scripture Galatians 5:19-21 See also Psalm 37:1-2; Proverbs 23:17; Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Titus 3:3-5; James 3:14-16 Examples of jealousy In the OT Genesis 4:3-5 Cain and Abel; Genesis 27:41 Esau and Jacob; Genesis 30:1 Rachel and Leah Joseph's brothers: Genesis 37:4; Acts 7:9 1 Samuel 18:6-9 Saul and David; Isaiah 11:13 Ephraim and Judah In the early church Acts 5:17; Acts 13:45; Acts 17:5; 1 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 12:20 See also
1185 God, zeal of |
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