One of the most prolific worship songs to be written in the past decade is How He Loves, a song written by John Mark McMillian. I once had a friend of mine tell me
that he hates that song and is uncomfortable singing it. What he
didn't like was the opening line of the song, "He is jealous for me". Why would we ever sing a song about something as uncomfortable a concept as God being jealous? I must admit that I personally love that song. It's wonderful, it's awe inspiring, it's artistic, a tad bit irreligious, it's full of passion, it's a simple concept, and it's full of good theology. In our culture we think of jealousy as always negative. We define it as resentment against a rival, a person enjoying success or advantage. A mental uneasiness from suspicion or fear of rivalry. Friendships are ended, marriages are broken, churches split all because of jealousy. Our culture tunes into "reality" television to watch scantily clad men and women vie for the affection of one single eligible bachelor or bachelorette. In these shows we can see the big green monster of jealousy at it's worst. So why do we sing songs and worship a God who is jealous? How in the world do we worship leaders and pastors reconcile the opening line of that song to worship God for his jealousy?
Well, it's not as hard as it seems if we take a step back to look at the bigger picture, to take in the details of who God is and the way He relates with humanity. In Exodus 20:5, God Himself claims that He's jealous and one who won't share His glory with another. How inflated our egos would be if we make such a claim? However, I would propose that God's jealousy is a positive attribute of the creator and sustainer of the cosmos (btw, on a side note I've really taken a liking to that show).
Like I've written before we often think of jealousy in negative terms. It rings of insecurity when someone feels threatened by another; it promotes resentment; and it can create all kinds of unpredictable reactions. So when people read that God is a jealous God who won't share His glory with another, like in Exodus 20:5, they promptly apply to God this negative view of jealousy. We read that God's jealousy is aroused when we humans turn creatures, statues, or false ideas into God substitutes. We create something to compete with God and God doesn't like it.
But God's jealously isn't bad. It isn't negative. God can be a jealous God and still hold the attributes of being good, holy, and worthy. Because think of the idea that a woman will not share her husband with another, so God is jealous to protect the love relationship for which all human beings are designed. This is an appropriated kind of jealousy. Imagine a husband who is unconcerned if another man is constantly flirting with his wife. If this husband had no objections we would rightly see his lack of concern as warped and morally deficient. Even though it's weird for us guys to think about; we are the "Bride of Christ".
We can also come to the conclusion that God's jealousy is noble and virtuous and not coming from some inferiority complex. It's a divine jealousy that springs from a human denial that God is God and that a relationship with Him isn't really needed for humanity to reach it's fullest potential. To choose yourself and worldly pursuits over a relationship with God is spiritual adultery and leads God to a legitimate, holy, and righteous jealousy. So is God jealous for me? You betcha, and I will sing that line with confidence in the God who reigns!
