He is the greatest; the epitome of all there is. Nothing else that exists comes close to His stature and excellence. So why… what is it that prompts God to say, “I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God?

The question is asked because, usually, there is an automatic reaction to the word “jealousy.” When we think of someone exhibiting jealousy, more often than not, it’s a negative impression. It just feels wrong.

But actually, jealousy is a natural sensation, or mood. It comes from God Himself, instilled in us as we were made in His image. That jealousy can be negative is true, but just as true is this:  negativity is a distortion. Jealousy, in its origin, is good. However, like all other feelings and desires we were created with, Jealousy got corrupted with sin.

For example, it is natural and normal that a wife becomes jealous if her spouse has an extra-marital affair. However, her jealousy would be abnormal if there weren’t any signs whatsoever that the husband is being unfaithful.

An abnormal jealousy is one of insecurity, suspicion, and fear without cause. A normal jealousy is a distress borne of a broken covenant relationship.

It is in the sense of the latter that God expresses that He is a jealous God. He, always true to His side of the covenant, grieves over those loved ones who leave their professed faithfulness and devotion to Him.

Having entered a covenant relationship with Him; having expressed love for Him, even taking on His name; his heart breaks when we turn to other gods. It doesn’t matter that these other gods, animate and/or inanimate, are powerless or aren’t as powerful as He is. He becomes jealous because He loves us and we don’t find His love to be enough.

All He wants is to share all things with us. That’s why He created us like Him. And that’s why we mean everything to Him. So, indeed, He is jealous when we turn away. That’s normal. That’s a healthy love. He just wants us to love Him back.