El Qanna: The Jealous God

God instructed the Israelites to not make idols, saying, “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, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.” (Exodus 20:5-6)

To begin, I think it is important to first clear up the difference between jealousy and envy. When I think jealousy, I think about person A getting jealous that their best friend now has a new friend that they're spending more time with, and person A is scared to lose their best friend to this new friend.

When I think envy, I think about person A who sees person B prospering in one way or the other, and hates that B is doing well. Person A wishes that B would not prosper anymore, and A might develop hatred for B, just because of their prosperity.

As you can see, these are completely different scenarios, intentions, and emotions. God is a jealous God means that He is positively zealous for His people, and does not want to lose us to sin and idolatry because He loves us so much, not the negative connotation that seems to go with human jealousy.

'Qanna,' translated as meaning jealous or zealous.

Remember that the Lord your God is a jealous God, as you worship Him and serve Him only. Peace and love of Christ be with you all!!!