The picture of God in scripture as being a jealous God is a clear picture and when it is viewed through the proper lens it is magnificent! I saw Oprah get all bent out of shape because she heard a preacher describe God as a jealous God. She claimed that was one of the reasons she had no place for Christianity. If you think of God as being jealous like humans are jealous then you have every right to be upset...but, if you think that way you are not in the same ballpark, NO, you are not in the same universe!
In our reading in James today we read that “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Remember what Paul wrote in 1 Co 6:19-20? "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." What does it mean that we are a temple of the Holy Spirit? It means that God Himself dwells within HIS children...the life of God in the soul of man. The ability to do that after sin entered the world cost God the blood of HIS own SON! You are not your own you were bought at a price...an indescribable, incalculable price, a price that you and I could never pay...NEVER! Think about it...you pay that much for something you will keep a close eye on it!
Do you think a strong godly Daddy will be jealous (in a good way) for his daughter when she begins to be interested in boys? Do you think he will take steps to protect her? I hope so!
Remember God's words to Moses and the Israelites in Exodus 20:5-6? "You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments."
James 4:4-6 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Think about it for a moment, God created us for a relationship with HIMSELF...this was not because HE was lonely or there was anything lacking in HIM...we do not complete HIM in anyway. HE does not need us, we desperately need HIM. HE is creator, sustainer, and maker...you and I are the creatures, the ones made by HIS hand. God did not create to fill a void in HIMSELF...creation was more like HIS indescribable GLORY going public, it was like HIM longing to share that glory. So HE created them male and female in HIS image to be in relationship with HIM, to be intimate with HIM. It is difficult to be more intimate that bride and bridegroom!
Rev. 19:7 “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.”
Rev 21:2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.
Rev 21:9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”
Rev 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.
Why does James cry "you adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?" If you seek to be friends with the world you are committing idolatry, you are committing adultery! Anything that you or I love, serve, fear, desire, long for more than God is an idol in our lives. Is there anything that you think about more than Jesus?
It is a wonderful beautiful truth that God is jealous for HIS people, that God is jealous for HIS OWN!
love,
m