1762) I have not written many of these minute devotions using a verse from the book of Song of Solomon, but I will today because there is one that speaks of two powerful words.

Song of Solomon 8:6 tells us love is as strong as death and jealousy is fierce as the grave. Let’s think about these two subjects.

What power does death have? On this earth, death is a fact; it is powerful, because it is permanent and unavoidable. If love is as strong as death, it means love (or even the lack of it) affects everyone and it lasts even beyond the tomb.

What power does the grave have and why the distinction between it and death? In Hebrew, the word used here for death means literally death, but the word used for the grave is sheol and its meaning refers to the underworld or the place of eternal condemnation.

Why would the writer say in verse 8 that jealousy is as fierce as the underworld? Again, in Hebrew, the word used here for jealousy is qinah. The roots of this word are connected with anger, which arises with ingratitude.

It is anger resulting in ingratitude Jesus said is the catalyst of murder. When we are jealous, we are telling God we are lacking something and it is his fault we don’t have it. After all, James 1:7 tells us, every good and perfect gift comes from God.

When I am jealous, I am accusing God of not keeping his word. If people let this attitude permeate their lives, it is much harder to recognize God’s provision of grace and salvation.

If I, as a child of God, nurture love and not jealous ingratitude, it can be life-changing and world-changing.