Jealousy and Fury

 O.T. #2300 "Jealousy and Fury"

Oct. 14, 2022

Zechariah 8

Thus saith the LORD of Hosts: I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury. (verse 2)

LET IT GLOW

If you are like me, we have to guard our heart from jealousy. Jealousy of the neighbors who have new houses while I live in an old farmhouse; jealous of people and their abilities; jealous of grandchildren being close by. The list can go on. Did you know God can be jealous for us? Find out more about it below.

The land of Israel was desolate for the returnees after the 70-year captivity because of the sinful actions of their ancestors. Dare I say it was an extremely difficult time for them. They had to start from the ground up in order to rebuild their homes, businesses, and Temple. (They had stopped the building on the Temple for about 10 years.) Since it was desolate, that didn't mean that God's love for His people and their land had failed.

Before we get into the encouraging words of this chapter, let's take a look at the words that are mentioned several times here, according to J. Vernon McGee:

• LORD of Hosts (LORD of Armies) is used 18 times;
• Jerusalem occurs 6 times and Zion occurs twice;
• jealous appears 3 times;
• remnant occurs twice;
• Thus saith the LORD appears 10 times.

So it is God speaking through the prophet Zechariah to His people, including us. When our toes are stepped on, it isn't me nor the prophet doing it, but God doing the stepping. Probably that is why few people study this book-they don't like their toes stepped on nor sins pointed out to them. But that is what makes us better Christians, being shown our sins and repenting, then turning away from them. Right?

LET IT GROW

Read our key verse for today. 

Jealous is used 3 times, which means to be or make zealous (in a bad sense); envious; be moved to or provoked to jealousy. 

Fury refers to anger; hot displeasure; rage; wrath.

When God says He is jealous, it is not like a man is jealous for his wife. God loves us so much (and His Beloved Israel) that He desires to pour out abundant blessings as tangible expressions of His love for His people. He does not act apart from this love. (Falwell)

When the Gentiles oppressed Israel and Judah, it provoked Him to be angry at them.

One of the promises God gave to Abraham was I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee. (Genesis 12:3)

Folks, we cannot live in the world, for the flesh, and do things the Devil wants, and serve God on Sunday. A follower of Jesus desires to please Him and love Him, and serve Him, being set apart from the world. When we confess our sins, God forgives us and cleanses us. Yet we are to go and sin no more.

LET IT GO

Is there something we need to let go of so we can better serve God today? 

Help us trust You and love You with all our heart, Holy God.