It is rather easy to feel sorry for oneself. I sense it in counseling sessions and reading about the lives of persons and groups. The idea and experience carry over even into national masses. The attitude seems effective in the distortion of lives, and may become serious to major decline of the human spirit, even the soul. Analysts warn minority groups not to be caught in victimization from the past – some documented injustice upon forefathers that is carried over to the present and injected upon the current generation in seeking retribution. These and other infractions of right and justice, even other sins, are treated by God in forgiveness. It works. One wonders if the emergence of the Asians in America may be related to an attitude evading victimization contexts after many decades of shabby treatment. Disregard or a spirit related to forgiveness by these people for injustice in mixed societies has served to their advantage in a competitive environment. Similar observations apply to Irish immigrants in the eastern states, and to Europeans (as Germans) from various areas, and African-Americans. Muslims are current sufferers.
One of the most common expressions of self-sorrow is jealousy. The wrong in jealousy is not in the best meaning of the word. We are informed that God is a jealous God, with the initiation of the instruction tied to the appearance of the Ten Commandments – Exodus 20:5. It is also startling that we are told that the name of God is Jealous. (Exodus 34:14). The context of the biblical passage explains the meaning, and offers understanding of genuine and manageable jealousy even in human experience. It seems odd to us, that we should add among the magnificent names of God the name, Jealous. I have not seen in any list of the names of God in the books I have read or lists I have seen, outside of tight theological works that give attention to the word jealous as a name for God. We may need to be reminded here that the reference is to the nature of God, as are other names. For example, God is not Love, but called love because it is in his nature. God is not Light but light is in his nature. God is not jealous in the sense we use the word, but we find righteous jealousy in his nature. Naming accents God to mankind. We learn that God cannot do some things. One of the large points in the argument is that he cannot deny himself. Here is the root of the understanding. There is no God except God. That is vital to defend, not that God needs defending but we need to know what we have to deal with. We cannot be ignorant of the fact there is only one God to be addressed, the only one who can come to human rescue. That is a vital perception. He is unique – only one.
It is clear that God’s jealousy is related to his love for mankind, and the concept that mankind was created for the bride of Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:2) It requires little imagination that if we are created for the Bride of Christ, and we defect to some other context, God would be properly jealous in the sense that he can provide greater benefit in all things than any other entity. If so, his jealousy is in the context of sorrow for the loss of good for the defecting creation, for love rejected. He can survive the loss. The one loved by God cannot survive without that love. (Note: The Song of Solomon for the extended parable.)
We are reminded that there is a spirit of jealousy in us. (Numbers 5) It is a shadow of God’s jealousy. Without that dimension in limitation we would wonder about some of the meaning of loyalty. That spirit may be so strong that when a mate has committed infidelity in marriage, it may not be forgiven by the offended mate. If not, there is divorce to resolve the matter. It is that spirit of jealousy as cause for God to permit divorce. Although forgiveness is preferred, the individual may not have resources sufficient to overlook what is seen as an unforgivable violation of the integrity oath of an individual. The context of this concept strengthens the spiritual meaning of marriage, reminds us of God’s mercy in offering in place of forgiveness in some circumstances. The ideal meaning of jealousy is partly understood in avoiding any violation in love and intimacy with God. The acceptance of God in our lives requires a commitment which, if violated, rightly raises the issue of the jealousy of God. His very nature must have some negative reaction to any one turning away from his person and provision. God is God, jealous for his children. If love cannot be wounded some of the meaning of God’s perfect love is diminished. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020