Sources of God’s Jealousy

Ezekiel 39:25 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name;

INTRODUCTORY THOUGHTS

There are certain areas where the Lord shows some of His greatest care and concern. He takes great offence and moves swiftly in their defence when men abuse these areas. For instance, the Bible says that the Lord is jealous for His “holy name” (Ezekiel 39:25). Perhaps, with this in mind, the Lord said, “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain” (Exodus 20:7). The Bible also says that God is jealous for Jerusalem (Zechariah 1:14; Zechariah 8:2), which is His land (Joel 2:18). When people abuse His name or His land, God takes these things particularly personally. Unfortunately, in these last days, men are increasingly abusing both His name and His land.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

(For children):The Bible says that the Lord’s name is holy and reverend (Psalm 111:9c). To take His name in vain means to use it in a useless way. He does not take this lightly (Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 24:10-16; Deuteronomy 5:11; 2 Chronicles 32:13-21).

(For everyone):All the earth belongs to the Lord, but He specifically claims Jerusalem as His land. How do people provoke the Lord to jealousy concerning His land?

(For everyone):What are some ways in which men take the name of the Lord in vain? Do you ever use His name in any vain ways? How is this an attack upon God’s name and upon His character?

PRAYER THOUGHTS

Thank God for taking such care for His great name.

Ask the Lord to help you become jealous over the things that make Him jealous.

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