The Old Testament has multiple verses that tell us that God is a jealous God. The Book of Mormon and the New Testament have just a couple of verses that reference the jealous God. Oxford’s definition from a Google search of Jealous helps us see that Zealous is just as viable of a translation when reading scripture. It also helps us see that ‘Jealous’ is most often used to understand that there is an intense emotion attached to a being’s relationship to their possessions or relationships. I like the use of zealous instead of jealous in all of the verses that reference God. Here are the definitions;

• Jealous: fiercely protective or vigilant of one’s rights or possessions.
• Zeal: great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.

If we use both of the definitions, then we could say that God uses all of His energy and enthusiasm to pursue our love and that He is fiercely protective of His love for us. He is present in His relationship with us even when we are not present.

In 2 Corinthians 11:2 Paul helps us understand that the jealousy of God is different than the jealousy of man;

For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

Zechariah’s Jealous God

Other than the phrase ‘jealous God’ there are few passages in scripture that explain the Jealousy of God. In Zechariah 1:12-17 an angel asks God, ‘O Lord of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?’ and then shares with Zechariah the Lord’s answer.

So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy. And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction. Therefore thus saith the Lord; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the Lord of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem. Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the Lord shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.

God is jealous to have His people in a community of love with him. This desire to have us all with Him in a union of Love moves him to return in mercy and build His house with us, even after our betrayal. Can jealousy be the emotion that prompts mercy?

Harriet’s example of jealous

Our family is inspired by the movie Harriet. Harriet Tubman’s journey is compeling in it. The complexity of the joy of her freedom, while her family and friends remained in slavery, creates a zealousness that feels authentic. We see her pain when some of her siblings choose slavery over the struggle for the joy of freedom to be had in the north. Towards the end of the movie Cynthia Erivo, the actress portraying Harriet, sings ‘Stand Up’, which has stirring lyrics representing Harriet Tubman’s tenacity. I think the words provide excellent phrasing to describe the jealousy or zeal of God for His children. Please watch the music video and read the lyrics thinking about God singing these words as an example of his jealousy.

Can you hear God saying the following;

I do what I can, When I can, While I can for my people.

Stand up, Take my people with me. Together we are going to a brand new home.

I am wading through muddy waters, you know I got a made up mind. And I don’t mind if I lose any blood on the way to salvation.

And I know what’s around the bend might be hard to face ‘cause I’m alone. And I just might fail, but Lord knows I tried.

Far across the river, I hear freedom calling! Calling me to answer - Gonna keep on keeping on.

I go to prepare a place for you.

The Book of Mormon on our Jealous God

I hear Cynthia Erivo’s words in Mosiah 13:12-14 as God explains His zeal for the freedom of his people and the anger at those that enslave His children.

And now, ye remember that I said unto you: Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of things which are in heaven above, or which are in the earth beneath, or which are in the water under the earth. And again: Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquities¹ of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generations of them that hate me; And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.

It is the jealousy of God that moves Him to mercy. If we turn to Him in the least, he will turn to us in the most - His is not a tit for tat love. I think this is the message of Enos in Alma 33:3-9.

Do ye remember to have read what Zenos, the prophet of old, has said concerning prayer or worship? For he said: Thou art merciful, O God, for thou hast heard my prayer, even when I was in the wilderness; yea, thou wast merciful when I prayed concerning those who were mine enemies, and thou didst turn them to me. Yea, O God, and thou wast merciful unto me when I did cry unto thee in my field; when I did cry unto thee in my prayer, and thou didst hear me. … Yea, thou art merciful unto thy children when they cry unto thee, to be heard of thee and not of men, and thou wilt hear them. Yea, O God, thou hast been merciful unto me, and heard my cries in the midst of thy congregations.

The phrase ‘jealous God’ often provokes the wrong image in my mind. I am grateful to Zenos, Paul, Zechariah’s angel, and Cynthia Erivo for providing the context for the panorama that portrays the jealous God of love.

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