Words with Multiple Meanings That Will Help You Understand the Scriptures WAY Better
Jealous
Google Definition: “(of God) demanding faithfulness and exclusive worship.”
What the Scriptures Say: “Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me” (Exodus 20:5).
Why this Definition Makes Sense: As Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, “No, God does not need us to love Him. But oh, how we need to love God!” God doesn’t need us to love Him because His power and infinite love isn’t dependent upon some kind of popularity contest. So when we read that God is a jealous God, the scriptures aren’t informing us that God is envious of whatever or whomever else we worship; rather, God is explaining that He demands exclusivity from us. Our lives should be centered around following His commandments, as they are the gateway to returning to live with Him again.
The Guide to the Scriptures also explains another definition for jealousy: “to be fervent and to have sensitive and deep feelings about someone or something”. This definition, too, clarifies the Exodus scripture, informing us that our Heavenly Father is a God that loves us deeply.
