Editorial July 13, 1918 Issue

Godly Jealousy

William D. McCrackan

The spiritual original of the word jealousy, as used in the Bible with reference to God, needs to be recalled. That which is generally described as one of the worst qualities of the carnal mind is but a counterfeit of God's tender care for His creation. God is jealous for us. God demands our entire worship and love. He brooks no rival in our affections, for He is supreme and infinite, the one and only Father-Mother. When Moses was warned not to make a covenant of any kind with the Canaanites, he heard the words: "For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God."

In return for our whole-hearted adoration, obedience, and gratitude God cares for us and watches over His own. Interpreting the meaning of the name Japhet, Noah's son, Mrs. Eddy writes on page 589 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures": "A type of spiritual peace, flowing from the understanding that God is the divine Principle of all existence, and that man is His idea, the child of His care." Why should not Deity exercise this perpetual watch over His own creature, turning aside the arrow that would wound, the plague which would come nigh our dwelling, the sting of hate which pretends it can be the sting of death? There is no indifference in the divine Mind toward the idea which emanates from it. The reflection is dear to the light; the rays to the sun. God is not apathetic or neutral; He is ever active in showering blessings and benefits.

Human beings in every walk of life meet the argument at times that they stand alone, that nobody loves them. Some feel the condemnation of failure; others the desperation of being misunderstood. They have experienced the sensation of finding that the more they try to explain their motives the more they are suspected. Advancing Christians encounter the storms raised by resistance to truth. Timidity and doubt assail them when unsuspected phases of evil first appear, either in their own thought or that of others. Perhaps they stand aghast, for the time being friendless and forsaken. Then is the time for them to remember that God is a jealous God, who is more considerate of their own welfare than they can possibly be themselves. The maximum of joy, harmony, ability, talent, power of expression, peace, victory, activity, which they may wish for themselves is as nothing compared with what a jealous God has already given to His obedient and grateful child. "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Godly Jealousy

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access