The one and only true GOD, the Almighty, the Everlasting, Eternal, and Holy God is LOVE. He loves passionately every person He created. He longs to father us and bless us and hold us close.
Western translations of the Bible say He is a “jealous” God. The Hebrew word used there in the original transcripts is a word that applies to God alone. That word is very closely related to the English word “zealous.” It does not at all have the negative connotations we have of the English word “jealous.” God has no darkness in Him whatsoever.
A more understandable way to view this is to see that translated word “jealous” as the zeal that arises in God’s heart when covenant relationship is threatened. He is fiercely zealous for us, zealous to keep His relationship with us intact and flourishing. He knows that’s the safest and best and most amazing place for us to be.
In the Old Testament Book of Nahum, God gives us a clear view of this zeal He has for His people, and the lengths that He goes to, to defend us and save us from our enemies. He also shows how He deals with the evil one and all those who openly and defiantly choose to follow that false dark being, the devil. It’s enough to cause everyone to shake and quake before our Almighty God. We all need to realize how critically important it is to choose wisely who we will follow.
“The Lord is a jealous (zealous) and avenging God;
the Lord takes vengeance and is fierce in wrath.
The Lord takes vengeance against His foes;
He is furious with his enemies.
The Lord is slow to anger but great in power;
the Lord will never leave the guilty unpunished.
His path is in the whirlwind and storm,
and clouds are the dust beneath His feet.
He rebukes the sea and dries it up,
and He makes all the rivers run dry.
Bashan and Carmel wither;
even the flower of Lebanon withers.
The mountains quake before Him,
and the hills melt;
the earth trembles at His presence—
the world and all who live in it.
Who can withstand His indignation?
Who can endure His burning anger?
His wrath is poured out like fire;
even rocks are shattered before Him.
Whatever you plot against the Lord,
He will bring it to complete destruction;
oppression will not rise up a second time.
For they will be consumed
like entangled thorns,
like the drink of a drunkard
and like straw that is fully dry.
One has gone out from you,
who plots evil against the Lord,
and is a wicked counselor.
This is what the Lord says:
Though they are strong and numerous,
they will still be mowed down,
and he will pass away.
Though I have punished you,
I will punish you no longer.
For I will now break off his yoke from you
and tear off your shackles.
The Lord has issued an order concerning you:
There will be no offspring
to carry on your name.
I will eliminate the carved idol and cast image
from the house of your gods;
I will prepare your grave,
for you are contemptible.
Look to the mountains—
the feet of the herald,
who proclaims peace.
Celebrate your festivals, Judah;
fulfill your vows.
For the wicked one will never again
march through you;
he will be entirely wiped out.” —Nahum 1