The Jealous God
June 25, 2025
You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing loving devotion to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.… — Exodus 20:5–6, Berean Standard Bible (BSB).
In a previous essay, I pointed out the meaning of a key word, “visiting.” I tried to conclude that generally, God’s jealousy did not mean continuous vengeful punishment. It indicates that God will not give up on the generations following an iniquitous person, even though they are rather stuck in the practices and traditions of their forefathers, suffering in the consequences of their progenetor’s evil deeds. God understands that children often mimic the practices of parental behaviors. Whether or not those behaviors are helpful or hurtful is incidental.
Yet, in the existential sense of the Bible, consequences — without a change of heart — will inevitably result in God’s Final Judgment.
Nevertheless, Christians of every stripe avoid this next Bible verse, because it doesn’t sit well with their concept of eternal salvation:
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And books were opened, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books. — Revelation 20:12, BSB.
Then, what can be done with that unqualified concept of salvation when also confronted with this Scripture:
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’ — Matthew 7:21–23, BSB.
That’s a tough piece of meat to chew, let alone to swallow, isn’t it?
Then the response comes, “But doesn’t the Bible say, ‘Whoever calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved?”
Yes. It certainly does!
So, I guess it depends on what we do with that salvation. I guess it depends on what we do with what we’ve got — even before we encounter the Gospel and are living earthbound normal lives…
Check out this parable Jesus used to teach the people:
But what do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first one and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
‘I will not,’ he replied. But later he changed his mind and went. Then the man went to the second son and told him the same thing.
‘I will, sir,’ he said. But he did not go.
Which of the two did the will of his father?”
“The first,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him. — Matthew 21:28–32, BSB.
What then? I conclude that doing God’s will is the most significant part of individuals’ salvation.
Again, I’d say that it is what we do with what we’ve been given.
He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? — Micah 6:8, BSB.
Doing justice.
Showing mercy.
Walking with God.
So, are we actually doing these three fundamental precepts of virtue which God has given to us?
So, back to trying to understand what God means by saying of Himself that He is a “jealous God.”
I looked up the definition of “jealous” in the Search box and there were over a dozen synonyms. Then I looked up “the psychology of jealousy” and found this tidbit:
“…evolutionary psychologists regard it not as an emotion to be suppressed but as one to heed — as a signal or a wake-up call that a valued relationship is in danger and that steps need to be taken to regain the affection of a mate or friend. As a result, jealousy is seen as a necessary emotion, because it preserves social bonds and motivates people to engage in behaviors that maintain important relationships.”
Alan Jackson — What A Friend We Have In Jesus (Live)
You see, Biblical Christianity is a dynamic and personal relationship with the living God. Interactive and process oriented, can you see that God’s jealousy is intended to be “a wake-up call” for people to respond?
God’s jealous nature is exclusively necessary which “preserves social bonds” with Him as well as between people. This motivates people “to engage in behaviors that maintain important relationships.” With this, the most “important relationship” is that between individuals and God.
Keep in mind, I’m talking about God of the Bible who walked and talked in Paradise with two people who were not unlike us.
Who doesn’t want to walk with God like they did?
It certainly is possible.
It’s a choice.
It’s working so far with Patty and me, and being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in {us} will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ. — Philippians 1:6, NIV. So, we just have to remember to do God’s requirements revealed in Micah 6:8…
…Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”… — Matthew 11:28–30, BSB.
