Possessive Jealousy

- Dennis Kresier, Layperson, Last Mountain Anglican Parish

September 25, 2029

Jealousy is a strong and powerful emotion that tends to draw out the worst in many of us. From time to time, many of us revert to this emotion and it touches on other things like wealth, health, goods, possessions, status, and the list is endless.

There is a line from an old song that states, “If I had his money, I could do things my way.” Jealousy is no “new” emotion! Perhaps the first case occurred in Genesis 4:8 when Cain in jealousy of his brother Abel, killed him in an envious state of jealousy. This raw emotion has raged on throughout the years of history and is very prevalent in our world today.

Despite all the negative press, did you know that jealousy has a positive side? Again, I call your attention to the Holy Scriptures. As we recall the attributes of our Heavenly Father, we find three major ones, those being:

#1 His omnipotence (all powerful)

#2 His omniscience (all knowing)

#3 His omnipresence (He is everywhere).

May I respectfully suggest another, #4 His possessive jealousy?”

This attribute also dates back to early Old Testament times, in Exodus 20:5, where God presents His ten commandments to Israel and states that, “I am the Lord your God- I will have NO other gods before me for I, the Lord, your God, am a jealous God.”

Why did He say this? I believe it has everything to do with the fact that He created us in his own image. We are the “Crown Jewels” of His creation, the apple of His eye! His jealousy is a Holy jealousy which reminds us that we fearfully and wonderfully made, so jealously cared for, that even the hairs of every head are numbered.

All of our cares and concerns are noted and addressed. Our future, when placed in His loving hands, is totally secure for all eternity. Let us thank our Creator for His possessive jealousy that draws and holds us close, and for His extreme and Holy benevolence in His redeemable work on the cross. Precious Lord, we thank you!