{"id":78900,"date":"2020-08-17T16:33:47","date_gmt":"2020-08-17T13:33:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/?p=78900"},"modified":"2020-08-17T16:35:57","modified_gmt":"2020-08-17T13:35:57","slug":"a-jealous-god","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/a-jealous-god\/","title":{"rendered":"A Jealous God?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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After rebuking the nations and describing their punishment in the previous chapter, the prophet turns his attention to Jerusalem. The Jerusalem he describes is corrupt and cruel. Her people do not listen to God (v.3), her civil officials and judges are \u201croaring lions\u201d and \u201cwolves\u201d respectively, preying on those they are meant to serve. Her prophets and priests \u201cprofane what is holy\u201d. This is a Jerusalem that has failed to live up to God\u2019s vision for Israel, a city that has lost its way and forgotten God.<\/span><\/p>\n

God had hoped that, seeing the destruction of her neighbors, Jerusalem would have learned her lesson. She should have seen how her neighbors\u2019 misdeeds led to their end, and known that her own sins would lead to hers (v.7). Therefore, says the prophet, the world is to be consumed by the fire of God\u2019s <\/span>kin\u2019ah<\/em> <\/span>(v.8). This word can be translated as ardor, zeal, jealousy, passion, or anger. It is a fiery word with fiery meanings, describing a fiery action.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kin\u2019ah<\/span><\/em> is a powerful emotion. Most of the translations above have negative connotations; it is an emotion that leads us to violence, to rash decisions and actions. But what does it mean for God? It most famously appears in the Ten Commandments, where God is described as <\/span>el kana\u2019<\/span><\/em>, often translated as \u201ca jealous God\u201d (Exodus 20:5). In both of these contexts, what is being described is God\u2019s reaction to the Israelites straying from the right path and worshipping false gods.<\/span><\/p>\n

Given that, what is God\u2019s <\/span>kin\u2019ah<\/span><\/i>? Does it have the dangerous connotations that human <\/span>kin\u2019ah<\/span><\/em> can carry? Why is that the God who is invoked here to cleanse the world? The answer to all these questions can be found in the definition of the word \u201cjealousy.\u201d While often used colloquially to mean wanting what others have, jealousy more properly means being worried that someone will take something you value away from you.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ultimately, God wants what is best for the Israelites. For God to be jealous, to have <\/span>kin\u2019ah<\/span><\/em> for us, means that God is trying to take care of us. A God that has <\/span>kin\u2019ah<\/span><\/i> is a God fighting for God\u2019s Chosen People: \u201cYour God the LORD is in your midst, a warrior who brings triumph\u201d (v.17).<\/span><\/p>\n

This is the God that is invoked to cleanse the world because this is a God whose power is manifest and exercised in the world. This is a God who is remaking Creation, upending society, for the sake of God\u2019s people. It takes powerful emotion and powerful action to engage in this enterprise. The tender God who loves us and takes care of us is also the fierce mother bear protecting her cubs (v.20): \u201cAt that time I will gather you, And at [that] time I will bring you [home]; For I will make you renowned and famous Among all the peoples on earth, When I restore your fortunes Before their very eyes \u2014said the LORD.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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