I the LORD Am a Jealous God

Exodus 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

INTRODUCTORY THOUGHTS

The Bible consistently identifies the Lord as a jealous God. As the Creator, He deserves man’s undivided allegiance. As the most High God, He is worthy of man’s unadulterated worship. It is often in this vein that the Bible speaks of God’s jealousy. He warned Israel not to make or bow down to any graven images (Exodus 20:4-5; Deuteronomy 5:8-9; Psalm 78:58) because He was a jealous God and would have no choice but to judge such infidelity. The same was true of any false god (Deuteronomy 32:16) or sin (1 Kings 14:22) which man allowed to come between him and his Creator. God is perfectly just in His jealousy since man was created for God’s pleasure (Revelation 4:11).

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

(For children):There is no doubt God is the Creator (Isaiah 42:5). Paul made this clear in Athens when he saw they worshipped many gods (Acts 17:16, 22-25, 28-29) that could do nothing (Psalm 115:4-7). God alone deserves worship (Psalm 86:8-10; Psalm 113:3-5).

(For everyone):Is it a sin for God to be jealous? Why? What separates the jealousy of God from the jealousy of man? Is it possible for man’s jealousy to be sinful? Why?

(For everyone):How can God’s jealousy be a good thing for man? How can that jealousy be a cause for man to fear? Which is God’s jealousy for you at this moment? Why?

PRAYER THOUGHTS

Thank God for His jealousy over His people.

Ask the Lord to guard you from provoking His jealousy.

SONG

Holy, Holy, Holy

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