Healthy Jealousy
Numbers 25:11 “Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned away My wrath from the sons of Israel in that he was jealous with My jealousy among them, so that I did not destroy the sons of Israel in My jealousy.”
Most of the time we see jealousy as a bad character trait. If someone is jealous because I have a Cherry Red 1968 Convertble Mustang(I really don’t) then that might tell us that there not someone we want to hang out with. Isn’t jealousy, coveting what belongs to others , condemned by the ten commandments? Aren’t we supposed to be happy with what God gives us?
Phinehas had grown up hearing the commands of God. As the grandson of Aaron, I’m sure that he had heard daily all the stories of how God had rescued the Israelites from their captors and been with them through the wilderness. This constant reminder to him of the faithfulness of God produced in him a desire for the word of God, and he longed to protect the Israelites from any danger. He was jealous to protect the things of God.
That is what makes a good human being; someone who will do anything to protect his family. Phinehas had a healthy jealousy for the things of God. Some people might say that he overreacted to the situation.(Click to read)
In reality he did not overreact; there was a threat that he saw coming against his family, so he got rid of the threat. But, some people will look at what he did, kill another human being, and say that could never be the will of God. God is always loving, nd He would never commend taking a life. If that’s how you think then just consider Acts 5. God is always loving, but because of His love for us then He knows that dangers must be dealt with. When there is a hindrance that prevents the word of God from moving forward then it must be removed.
Don’t misread me I’m NOT saying that God wants you to kill all people from other religions! Jesus commands us to love all people, and they will be won for Him because of our love!
The Bible commands us to be jealous for the things of God, so we should be wholeheartedly commited to sharing the love of Jesus with whomever we can, and the jealousy that we have for God’s word must motivete to fulfill His commands!
___________________________
Father, I thank You for loving me, and I ask that You help me develop a love for others, and a jealousy for Your Word that will bring others to Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen
_________________________
Yes, You Can Ministry 