Being the one who wrote about the fruit of the Spirit and the works of the flesh, Paul understood the difference between carnal and godly jealousy. The Father desires that we be given a spirit body and be filled with His mind and power. Put into practice the challenge in Romans 12:1-2: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- this is your spiritual act of worship. Hatred against a brother can lead a person to terrible acts, most often underhanded ones. »Jacob's favoritism for Joseph made his half-brothers so jealous that they were ready to murder him (see Genesis 37). H ere are four examples of jealousy from the Bible.. Joseph’s Brothers. In fact, in Deuteronomy 4:24, His anger becomes so hot that He describes Himself as being a consuming fire. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy?—by dividing our fellowship between Him and idols (Eze 20:39). Zeal and jealousy are opposite sides of the same coin; both of them are driven by passion. The details revealed in Obadiah support such a conclusion. This is one of God's attributes of which we might at first be afraid, as the author of Hebrews points out (Hebrews 12:29). God has no reason to be jealous of us or anything else, but He certainly has a burning desire for us! The trial of jealousy. (From Forerunner Commentary). What was the object of his jealousy? Human nature expresses itself in vanity, jealousy, lust, greed, murder, hatred, avarice, competition, lying, stealing, dishonoring parent, fornication, adultery, and - the most damaging of all - idolatry. A survey of recent Middle East history shows how Hamas has set itself against the Jews; no other group bears such vehement hatred for them. How can that be? However, when "desire has conceived," it may result in breaking any of the Ten Commandments, including covetousness, to which everyone is susceptible. The Bereans "received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:10-11). This event demonstrates that godly jealousy comes first, and it issues in fire! »Jacob's partiality to Rachel was the source of a great deal of hostility and scheming among Jacobs's wives and concubines (see Genesis 30). Jesus trusts His Father because He knows that He is a jealous God, and His jealousy is directed toward Him and the perfecting of His bride, the church. Notice, Paul was not jealous of these people but for them, and maybe that is part of our misunderstanding of godly jealousy. Because she could not see past her baseless pride and jealousy, she was punished with barrenness. Even though it has secured political power in Palestine, it will not renounce its perpetual hatred against the state of Israel—not even to become a viable player on the world stage. In all seriousness, though, do we revere the older folks as we should? Jealousy is a violent passion in a man, not bearing a companion or a rival as to a thing or person which he loveth. We can want a spouse, a house, or a car, but not if it belongs to our neighbor - unless he is selling a possession, and we acquire it in a fair and honest manner. If we step into a room charged with anger, depression, bitterness, envy, jealousy, prideful gossip, or suspicion, what happens to us? What drives Esau to hate Israel so viscerally? It is a case of divided loyalties. God becomes angry, jealous, when this happens spiritually. I can hear it now: “Treat others more important than moi? This first example is one of godly favor taken badly. Yet, recall the burning bush where God commissioned Moses to lead His people out of slavery (Exodus 3:2). What, then, is the motive and object of God's jealousy? The two words are undoubtedly linked. Why be rude to sales clerks and wait staffs? It is a command that is easily and carelessly broken unless we are continually conscious of our responsibility to bring honor upon the name of God, which we will do if we love Him. The trial of jealousy. In what way are we seeking God? Jealousy is seen as both good and bad in the Bible. Later, he ignored Adonijah's preparations to take over his throne, in spite of his expressed desire to have Solomon succeed him (see I Kings 1). If he does not, pride will arise and muzzle humility by means of a character weakness. Labor and management throw verbal bombs at each other. Only an act of great courage and self-sacrifice saved the Jews from annihilation. Zeal is passionately for something or somebody, while jealousy is passionately against something or somebody. The key to biblically overcoming jealousy is to discern the roots of your jealousy and then battle them with the truth of God's Word. In fact, we could say that all the above flow from idolatry! Earnestly? War, God's Word informs us, is a fruit of coveting. He was closely watching over these people with godly jealousy. We are His, and He does not choose to share us with anybody or anything else. Why not use the simplest of courtesies like “please” and “thank you”? JEALOUSY. What is jealousy? In the case of the Edomites, their vile attitudes first manifested themselves in such things as gloating and rejoicing over Israel's catastrophes, and led to actions such as pillaging, selling into slavery, and taking the other's territory when Israel and Judah were weak. Ronny H. Graham Yet, fire can also be used as a purifier, and it can sure feel good on a cold winter morning. Because Esau's perpetual enmity and violence against Israel are fingers in God's eye, He takes extreme umbrage.