God's Jealous Love: A Message of Hope

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Jealousy Is for Us, Not Against Us

God’s jealousy is not like human jealousy, which is rooted in insecurity or envy; rather, God’s jealousy is a passionate desire for His people to know Him, love Him, and experience the fullness of life that comes from a relationship with Him alone. He is not jealous of us, but for us—He longs for us to be free from the destructive power of idols and false loves, and to rest in His provision, protection, and love. This divine jealousy is the foundation of His relentless pursuit of us, ensuring that nothing else takes His rightful place in our hearts. [41:33]

Nahum 1:2 (ESV)
The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful; the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies.

Reflection: What is one “idol” or lesser thing that you tend to put before God in your life, and how can you intentionally give God first place in your heart today?

Day 2: God’s Jealousy Protects His Glory and Honor

God alone is worthy of all honor, glory, and praise, and His jealousy is a holy insistence that nothing and no one else receive the worship that belongs to Him. When we give our devotion to created things—whether possessions, people, or status—we rob God of the glory due His name, and He is rightfully jealous for that glory. This is not narcissism, but the truth of who God is: the uncreated Creator, the great I AM, who alone deserves our worship and obedience. [43:10]

Exodus 34:14 (ESV)
(for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God)

Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally honor God’s name and glory in your words and actions this week?

Day 3: God’s Jealousy Is Rooted in His Holiness

God’s jealousy is inseparable from His holiness; He cannot allow evil, sin, or anything unholy to masquerade as good or to steal what is pure and rightfully His. Unlike human jealousy, which is a flaw, God’s jealousy is a righteous passion to uphold what is good, pure, and holy, and to hold accountable anything that pretends to be equal with Him. His holy jealousy is good news for us, because it means He will not let evil have the final word, and He calls us to share in His holiness. [46:37]

Exodus 20:2-5 (ESV)
“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me.”

Reflection: Where in your life do you see the temptation to compromise God’s holiness, and how can you pursue His purity in that area today?

Day 4: God’s Jealousy Flows from His Unfailing Love

At the heart of God’s jealousy is His deep, unfailing love for His people—a love so great that He will stop at nothing to bring us into relationship with Himself, even sending His own Son to rescue us. God’s jealousy is not about possessiveness, but about a longing for us to experience the fullness of His mercy, grace, forgiveness, and provision. Nothing can separate us from this love, and God’s passionate pursuit of us is the greatest news we could ever receive. [52:09]

Romans 8:31-39 (ESV)
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Reflection: When you feel distant from God, how can you remind yourself of His relentless, jealous love for you and respond to it today?

Day 5: Living in the Freedom of God’s Jealous Love

To live in the reality of God’s jealous love is to embrace a life of holy purpose, true freedom, and deep joy, knowing that God will clear away every obstacle to draw us close to Himself. When we give Him the honor and glory He deserves, we step into the fullness of life He intends for us—a life marked by His presence, protection, and blessing. God’s jealousy is not a threat, but an invitation to experience the abundant life found only in Him. [54:00]

John 10:10 (ESV)
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to live more fully in the freedom and joy of God’s jealous, pursuing love?

Sermon Summary

The book of Nahum, though brief and often overlooked, offers a profound glimpse into the heart of God—specifically, His jealousy. This is not the petty, insecure jealousy we know from human experience, but a holy, passionate desire for His people. Nahum’s prophecy, directed at Nineveh, is a message of judgment for the oppressors but comfort for the afflicted people of Judah. The context is crucial: after Jonah’s call to repentance was heeded by Nineveh, generations passed, and the city returned to its old ways. Now, through Nahum, God declares that the time of mercy has ended for Nineveh, and judgment is coming. Yet, for God’s people, this is a word of hope—God is not indifferent to their suffering.

At the heart of this message is the declaration that “the Lord is a jealous and avenging God.” This can be unsettling, as jealousy is usually seen as a negative trait. But God’s jealousy is fundamentally different from ours. Human jealousy is rooted in insecurity and envy, often leading to possessiveness and harm. God’s jealousy, however, is rooted in His perfect love, holiness, and desire for what is truly good for His people. He is not jealous of us—He is jealous for us. He will not share His people with idols or lesser loves because only He can provide true life, blessing, and salvation.

God’s jealousy is seen in three main ways: for His own honor and glory, for His holiness, and because of His love. He alone is worthy of all worship and adoration, and when that glory is given to anything else, it is a distortion of reality and a loss for His people. His holiness means He cannot tolerate evil masquerading as good, and His justice flows from this. Most importantly, His jealousy is an expression of His relentless love—a love so deep that He would send His own Son to rescue us. Nothing in all creation can separate us from this love. God’s jealousy is not a threat, but the greatest comfort: He will stop at nothing to have us as His own, to bless, protect, and save us.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s jealousy is not like human jealousy, which is rooted in insecurity or envy. Instead, it is a holy and passionate desire for His people’s exclusive devotion, because only in relationship with Him do we find true life and blessing. God’s jealousy is an expression of His perfect love and commitment to us, not a flaw or weakness. [41:33]
2. The Lord is jealous for His own honor and glory, which is rightfully His alone. When we give our worship or allegiance to anything less than God, we not only rob Him of what is due, but we also deprive ourselves of the fullness of life that only He can give. God’s jealousy for His glory is ultimately for our good, drawing us back to what is true and life-giving. [43:55]
3. God’s jealousy is inseparable from His holiness. He cannot allow evil or idolatry to masquerade as good, nor can He tolerate anything that would diminish His purity. His justice and wrath against sin are not arbitrary, but flow from His holy jealousy—a desire to see His people set free from all that corrupts and destroys. [46:37]
4. The deepest root of God’s jealousy is His love for us. He desires us so fiercely that He will not let anything—no idol, no sin, no power—stand in the way of our relationship with Him. This love is so profound that He sent His Son, Jesus, to remove every barrier, ensuring that nothing can separate us from His love. [52:09]
5. To live in the light of God’s jealousy is to live with holy purpose and assurance. When we give God the honor and devotion He deserves, we step into the fullness of life He intends for us—a life marked by security, blessing, and unbreakable love. God’s jealous pursuit of us is the foundation of our hope and the guarantee that He will never let us go. [53:30]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Introduction to Nahum and Historical Context
[04:45] - Nahum’s Message: Judgment and Comfort
[08:20] - The Character of God in Nahum 1
[12:05] - God’s Power and Goodness
[15:30] - The Lord is Jealous: What Does It Mean?
[19:40] - Human Jealousy vs. God’s Jealousy
[24:15] - God’s Name is Jealous (Exodus 34)
[28:50] - The First Commandment and God’s Exclusive Claim
[33:10] - God is Jealous for Us, Not of Us
[36:00] - God’s Jealousy for His Glory
[39:00] - God’s Jealousy and Holiness
[43:30] - God’s Jealousy Rooted in Love
[47:50] - Romans 8: Nothing Can Separate Us
[52:30] - Living in the Light of God’s Jealous Love
[54:00] - Closing and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Nahum 1:2-7 (ESV) — > 2 The LORD is a jealous and avenging God;
> the LORD is avenging and wrathful;
> the LORD takes vengeance on his adversaries
> and keeps wrath for his enemies.
> 3 The LORD is slow to anger and great in power,
> and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty.
> His way is in whirlwind and storm,
> and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
> 4 He rebukes the sea and makes it dry;
> he dries up all the rivers;
> Bashan and Carmel wither;
> the bloom of Lebanon withers.
> 5 The mountains quake before him;
> the hills melt;
> the earth heaves before him,
> the world and all who dwell in it.
> 6 Who can stand before his indignation?
> Who can endure the heat of his anger?
> His wrath is poured out like fire,
> and the rocks are broken into pieces by him.
> 7 The LORD is good,
> a stronghold in the day of trouble;
> he knows those who take refuge in him.

Exodus 34:14 (ESV) — > (for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God),

Romans 8:31-39 (ESV) — > 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
> 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
> ...
> 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
> 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Observation Questions

In Nahum 1:2, what does it mean that “the LORD is a jealous and avenging God”? How is this description different from how we usually think about jealousy?
According to Exodus 34:14, what does God say about his own name and character? What is the context in which God reveals this about himself?
In Romans 8:31-39, what are some of the things Paul says cannot separate us from the love of God?
What is the historical context behind Nahum’s prophecy to Nineveh, and why is this message both a warning and a comfort?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says, “God is not jealous of you; he is jealous for you.” What is the difference between being jealous of someone and being jealous for someone? Why is this distinction important for understanding God’s character?
Why does God’s jealousy for his own glory and honor ultimately benefit us, rather than harm us? How does this relate to the idea that only God can give true life and blessing?
How does God’s jealousy connect to his holiness and justice? Why can’t God tolerate evil or idolatry, according to the sermon and the passages we read?
The sermon says that God’s jealousy is rooted in his love for us, shown most clearly in sending Jesus. How does this truth change the way we view God’s pursuit of us, especially when we feel unworthy or distant?

Application Questions

The sermon described human jealousy as rooted in insecurity and envy, but God’s jealousy as rooted in love and holiness. Are there areas in your life where you confuse the two? How can you remind yourself of the difference this week?
God refuses to share his people with idols or lesser loves. What are some “idols” or distractions in your life that compete for your devotion and attention? What would it look like to give God exclusive first place?
The message said, “God’s jealousy is not a threat, but the greatest comfort: He will stop at nothing to have us as His own, to bless, protect, and save us.” When have you experienced God’s relentless pursuit in your own life? How did it feel?
In what ways do you find it hard to believe that “nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus”? Are there specific situations or failures that make you doubt this? How can you bring those doubts to God?
The sermon challenged us to “live in the light of God’s jealousy”—to live with holy purpose and assurance. What is one practical step you can take this week to honor God’s glory in your daily life (at work, at home, in relationships)?
When you think about God’s jealousy for his holiness, does it change how you view sin or compromise in your own life? Is there an area where you sense God calling you to greater purity or faithfulness?
The sermon mentioned that God’s jealous pursuit is the foundation of our hope. How can you encourage someone else this week with the truth that God is jealous for them and will never let them go?

Sermon Clips

Nahum is not speaking specifically to God's people his message is for Nineveh a neighbor to Judah the message is is this intense judgment of Nineveh however its intended purpose the purpose of the message itself is comfort for the oppressed and the afflicted people of Judah. [00:30:02] (20 seconds) #ComfortForTheOppressed

Nahum tells us chapter 1 verse 2 the Lord is a jealous and avenging Godthe lord is jealous in many ways that truth god's jealousy permeates the judgment that we hear about throughout the old testament but god's jealousy is also directly related to the fulfillment of his promises we can see his jealousy as he sends the savior jesus and that sounds strange perhaps but it's true the lord is jealous and today we're going to unpack this truth and discover the good news regarding god's jealousy. [00:33:31] (46 seconds) #GodsJealousyFulfillsPromises

Either way when we speak of human jealousy it's always rooted in in petty envy or worse deep -seated insecurity after all our sinful nature is constantly in competition with others come on come on whether you want to know whether you want that or whether you know that or not we get insecure about our own gifts our looks our things our relationships and so we fall so easily that the devil tempts us into jealousy of other people what they have what they can do who they know or who they're loving we're insecure and we get petty and in those moments jealousy flourishes in our hearts and minds. [00:35:49] (40 seconds) #JealousyRootedInInsecurity

Here's the kicker. Here is where our jealousy and God's jealousy diverge. You see, God is not jealous of his people.God is not jealous of you or me.He's not jealous of your pellet grill.God is not jealous of that. Everything is God's. It all belongs. He created it all. The jealousy of God is all about his desire to be God to his people. He desires to be the creator, the provider, the one who is rightly honored as holy.God is not jealous of you. God is jealous for you. [00:41:11] (47 seconds) #GodIsJealousForYou

God is not jealous.of you he is jealous for you and if nothing you remember today from this entire sermon is that one sentence I'll feel okay God is not jealous of you he is jealous for you God's jealousy is all about the desire the Lord's desire to love you and bless you and save you and have you as his own where he can be your God and you can be the creature dependent upon him blessed by him loved by him provided by him it's garden relationship it's Eden. [00:41:59] (40 seconds) #GodIsJealousForYou

God's jealousy is in this way about also about his holiness second thing holinesslike i said he can't allow something that is unholy to steal his glory he can't allow evil to parade around as if it's pure and good and has wonderful intentions he's holy and jealous and he will not let it stand and we've seen that in our sermon series in the minor prophets underlying all of these things we talked about god is just and we've talked about all these things and underlying all that is this jealousy in a sense god is just and rightly justly punishes sin and evil that masquerades as holiness that pretends it's good or tries to redefine what is good god holds evil and sin that is pretending to be good accountable. [00:46:37] (50 seconds) #GodPunishesFalseGood

God's jealousy however comes not from a place of insecurity or pettiness but from a place of security god's jealousy stems from what god alone deserves remember what god sets out to accomplish he will accomplish and nothing can stand in the way of the lord he is jealous about his holiness and this is good in the same way that it's good that he is just god whose name is jealous it's good news for us it's good news because god's jealous nature is not rooted in insecure possessiveness wanting you or me out of insecurity. [00:48:30] (38 seconds) #GodsJealousyIsSecureLove

The Lord whose name is jealous loves you and if you doubt that let me remind you again of what God's jealous nature means for you and me and for all who bow who call on him who believe in his son Jesus listen again to what this jealousy means for I am surethat neither death nor life nor angels nor rulers nor things present nor things to come nor powers nor height nor depth nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord Amen. [00:54:14] (50 seconds) #GodClearsAllForLove

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