God's Divine Jealousy

By: Kim Garrett

Saturday, November 29, 2025

"Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." Exodus 34:14

Whoa... Wait just a minute... God gets jealous? In earthly relationships, any sign of jealousy is a warning to run away. Isn't jealousy always toxic? Not only that, don't the scriptures say that jealousy is a sin?

We've all seen how jealousy erodes and destroys relationships. Earthly jealousy is usually rooted in the fear of losing something, but it can also be rooted in narcissism. I've met people who were jealous about someone's good fortune, and I've met people who were jealous about someone's possessions. Whatever the cause, human jealousy brews ugly insecurities, and they usually get manifested in dysfunctional, destructive ways.

Maybe you're wondering, out of all God's attributes, why would He reflect something that seems unappealing? Why would He be jealous about the relationship we have with Him? The answer is complicated, but to summarize, there's a dramatic difference between earthly jealousy and divine jealousy:

1. Earthly jealousy is selfish. Divine jealousy is selfless.

2. Earthly jealousy is focused on others. Divine jealousy is focused on us.

3. Earthly jealousy steals, kills, and destroys. Divine jealousy surrounds, guards, and protects.

4. Earthly jealousy is based on control and manipulation. Divine jealousy is based on setting us free.

5. Earthly jealousy feeds our sinful, selfish nature. Divine jealousy feeds the Christ-centered nature within us.

God is a jealous God; But it's a righteous jealousy. Why? Because God's position, power, and authority are unmeasurable and unshareable. But there is a key component of God's jealousy that is vital to understand: God is not jealous of you; He is jealous for you! That's the main difference between earthly jealously and God's jealousy. Our Heavenly Father wants to have a lasting, abiding, personal relationship with us, and He will fiercely protect it from outside interference. When His Word says He is jealous, it means He doesn't want us to waste time worshipping anything inferior to Him!

God's jealousy isn't petty like the the world's. God's jealousy is invitational: He is inviting us to trust Him, He is inviting us to rush into His arms, and He is inviting us to be on the receiving end of His everlasting love. After all, He is the one who loves us unconditionally... He is the one who understands us when no one else does... He is jealous because He wants nothing but the best for us!

Divine jealousy is beautiful! Instead of comparing it to earthly jealousy, be honored that's how God feels about you!

Read: Psalm 37:1-3, Proverbs 23:17-18, Isaiah 42:8