Jealousy

O. T. #251  "Jealousy"
March 21, 2014
Exodus 34-Part 2
For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
Exodus 34:14

LET IT GLOW

Have you ever been jealous of someone or something? I have been jealous when my loved one spent too much time with another, giving their attention or showing love or kindness to another instead of me. Yep, jealous can raise its ugly head. It tries to divide, destroy, or kill relationships. I have to guard myself against it, by loving others more than myself. By seeing things as the truth not lies.
Did you read in our key verse that God is a Jealous God? Read on, friend to find out what makes Him jealous.

We left Moses bowed on his knees, head on the ground, bent in worship of the One True Living God.
Excuse me while I, too, get on my knees in praise, prayer, and worship of El Shaddai, Eloheim, Yhwh, Jehovah. Will you join me?


How humbling it is when I recognize that I commune with the LORD God who created this universe. He who listens to me personally, a sinner, living on this country road, up in the hills. A backwoods, southern ragmuffin country gal that God loves, I am indeed. And o you are loved also. Did you take a moment to speak with your Savior today?

Let's look again at Moses, up on the mountain a second time for 40 days visiting with God, receiving the Ten Commandments again.
What does Moses say first?

• He calls Jesus Lord, which is Adonuy (ad-o-noy') in Hebrew, that we say Adonai, meaning sovereign, controller, lord, master, owner.
• Let my Lord, I pray Thee, go among us. (He is referring to their trip into the Promised Land.)
• He confesses that Israel is a stiffnecked people. (They don't bow easily.)
• Pardon our iniquity (wickedness) and our sin. (Moses is including himself.)
• Take us for Your inheritance, which means to occupy; divide possession, estate, portion.

How did God answer? He will make a covenant.
The covenant has previously been given, accepted, and ratified by the eating of the covenant meal (Ex. 19:3-11). But it had been broken in the golden calf incident. Here God renews the covenant with Israel.  (Falwell)

• Before the people, God will do marvels, which means marvelous miracles, wonderous things, never done in any nation in all the world.
• The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the LORD, will do for you. (NIV)
• Obey what I command you to do today.
• He will drive out all those -ites listed in verse 11.
• Don't make a treaty or covenant with those inhabitants of the land where you're going, lest they be a snare to you.
• Destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves.
• Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. Jealous, in Webster's Dictionary, refers to preference given to another; suspicious in love.[means envious  in Strong's Concordance]

Do we share the marvelous things God has done for us?
Do we give Him all our allegiance?
Have we compromised our Christian beliefs with other religions in order to keep peace in America?
Do we make God jealous of the others in our life?

LET IT GROW

In verses 15-17, God cautions Israel of religious compromise.

The questionings of one generation can become the doctrine of the next, and one's dabbling in sin can become another's habitual practice. (Falwell)

Can God be any plainer in saying not to become involved with the idol worshipers of the land where Israel is going? Also, don't intermarry. Do not make idols.

We will read of more instructions next time.

As we try to witness to others, be careful to protect your heart from their false doctrine. They will come to your door and try to persuade you into their false worship. Hold up Jesus and His Word, then leave.

LET IT GO

of anything and everything and love God with all my heart, soul, and mind.

and worship only God through Jesus.