E-Message Bible/Commentary

NAHUM
When a person thinks of jealousy, it is usually in a bad connotation. While jealousy is the act of being hostile toward a rival, jealousy is also the act of being vigilant in guarding a possession. Jealousy in its usual sense is sinful; however, jealousy can denote a godly quality. Second Corinthians 11:2 says, "I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy." In this sense, the word jealous is related to zealous and is not wrong.

Godly jealousy shows love; not hatred. Godly jealousy shows compassion and concern; not selfishness. Godly jealousy does not manipulate or control. Godly jealousy results in protection; not harmful action. HOWEVER, when jealousy is the result of selfishness, it is a sin. Righteous jealousy is similar to righteous anger. Neither is wrong when they are void of vengeance. God alone has the right to be both jealous and avenging (Nahum 1:2)
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Two Kinds of Jealousy
The Lord is a jealous and avenging God. (Nahum 1:2)
When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she became jealous of her sister. (Genesis 30:1)

There are two kinds of jealousy as indicated above.  God's jealousy is appropriate. Human jealousy is inappropriate and leads to sin.

God's jealousy is justified. God alone has the right to be jealous and and to carry out venegeance. It is appropriate for God to insist on complete loyalty and allegiance to Him and to Him alone. Only God deserves our undivided devotion. When He doesn't get it, He defends His word and His high honor. Therefore, we must treat only God and no one else in the universe as God.

Human jealousy, on the other hand, is not appropriate. There is a spirit of selfishness associated with human jealousy. Human jealousy is most often destructive rather than constructive. It can destroy relationships and friendships. And the most damaging thing about jealousy is that it can lead to sin. Joseph's brothers were jealous of him and their jealousy led them to get rid of him. (Genesis 37-50)

What is the best weapon against jealousy if someone is jealous of you? Keep on loving the people who are jealous of you. Saul was jealous of David, but David refused to harm him when he had the chance. Let love overcome jealousy toward you!

What is the best weapon against jealousy if you are the one who is jealous? Keep on loving the people you are jealous of. Become like Jesus Christ. Role play what Jesus would do. Let love overcome your jealousy toward others.
__________________________________________________________________________

God is love and all His doings revolve around love, but the flip side of God's love is His wrath. God is slow to anger, but He does get angry and pours out His wrath on the guilty. God is slow to anger, but when He is ready to punish, even the earth trembles. People sin and are guilty of wrongful actions. Because they are not immediately caught, they think they have gotten away with it. Because God's anger is slow, people think they can continue to get away with unrighteousness and injustice. But God's anger will come. God's wrath will come. God will judge the nations and individuals. God will NOT allow sin to go unchecked forever.
 
God is slow to anger because He allows us time to reconcile with Him. Use the interval between your sinfulness and God's wrath to establish a right relationship with Him. That must be done in order to avoid His wrath.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
 
 
Restoration is a promise God has made to His people. The promise will come to pass no matter how long it takes. The splendor promised in the above verse did take place. Compared to Nineveh, which was destroyed and never rebuilt, Judah's honored place in history was forever assured by the birth of Christ.
 
The promise of restoration also applies to us who walk upwalk and serve God. Enemies might have destroyed our hopes and dreams, but God will restore us to a position more mightily than before. Even though our vines have been ruined and have been laid in waste, God will restore us in due season.
____________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Sign In or Register