1925) There are so many things I don’t understand about God. I suppose many of them will be understood in the next life, but for now, I continually dig for information.  

A verse, actually several verses that allude to the same thing, I’ve struggled to understand is Deuteronomy 4:24. Here, God is being described as a jealous God. To me, it’s always seemed to hold a negative connotation because jealousy played out here on earth is often toxic.  

Not satisfied with just leaving it be, I’ve done some digging and in today’s Minute, I want to share what I have found.  

The Hebrew word for jealous in this verse is qanna, and it’s a very specific word, only used in relationship with God. It is referring to a protective zeal; a righteous zeal to protect the holiness and exclusivity of the relationship between God and his children. (biblehub.com)  

God isn’t jealous as we know it; instead, he guards, to the point of death (Jesus’) his covenant with his people so when anyone or anything threatens it, he moves in to protect. He’s jealous.  

God considers his covenant with his children so important; holy even, that when someone or something tries to turn our commitment away from him, he’s jealous. It’s like he says, get away from him or her because he or she is mine.  

As I have studied and thought about this, it’s opened my eyes to seeing a deep and committed love my Father has for me.  

God being a jealous God is really a beautiful thing.