JealousI

I'm not sure why jealousy is referred to as "the green-eyed monster," in particular.  The monster part I do understand, but green-eyed?  Perhaps if I had taken an interest in Shakespeare's "Othello," I would have a clue.  But I was not a member of the "Dead Poet's Society" growing up and I never did grow into it.  I have to say, however, that I am a little jealous of those who can quote volumes of poetry.  But not enough so that I would actually take time to read it.

But I digress.  Jealousy is seen as monstrous in the way it clouds one's perception of things, in the way it gives rise to anger and even violence, in the way it can reduce an individual to an object to be owned, in the way it disrupts and destroys.  Jealousy just seems so childish and petty that it is annoying on the surface and so selfish that it is repelling as the layers are pealed back.

While most people are a little bit jealous at times and most spouses find a little bit of jealousy kind of cute in their partner, even a little hurt if there is no sign of jealousy, no one warms up to someone who is truly jealous, certainly not someone who is so jealous as to be identified by the term.  "Oh boy, here come Jealous John, whatever you do, don't look or smile at his wife.  He'll go ballistic.  He is a real nut-case!"  If you've had a jealous boyfriend, girlfriend or spouse, you know exactly what I mean.

So, most would agree that jealousy is a negative adjective and worse if it is one's personal monicker.  And yet, God himself is wears this title: "Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God" (Ex 34:14).  How can that be?  How can God be so petty, so small, so childish and still be God.  He couldn't - there has to be something missing in our general understanding of the word.

The missing part comes from the root of one's jealousy, is it selfish or other-centered.  In boyfriend/girlfriend relationship it tends to be selfish, a personal affront.  But in a parental sense, it tends to be centered on the child's best interests.  For example, "I am jealous for you" is something a loving mother or father would say as they covet the best for their children.

God, as our Father, feels the very same way.  He knows the outcome of falling into Satan's traps lured by the gods of money, power, prestige and such.  He desires our good and he knows that "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights" (Js 1:17).  That our ultimate and lasting good is found only in Him.

God is jealous.  He is jealous for our ultimate good.  He is jealous that his children be holy unto him (set apart from the world and set toward heaven) so that we can can enjoy eternal bliss and avoid eternal condemnation for "God is not willing that any should perish but that all would come to repentance" (2 Pet 3:9).  Jus' Say'n.