"Jealousy has a bad reputation, and so it is surprising that the Bible so often uses it as a positive quality. The Lord’s name is “Jealous,” we’re told, and one of his key attributes is jealousy. For contemporary readers, few things are more off-putting about the character of God than this.
For the Biblical writers, however, jealousy is not tyranny or sefl-centered, insecure possessiveness. It is relentless, exclusive passion and commitment. For Solomon in the Song of Songs, it is hard as the grave. Once someone goes into the grave the grave doesn’t let him back up. Jealous love is like that. IT is “That aspect of love in which love also does not give up what it claims” (Robert Jenson).
As an adjective or name, “jealous” is used in Scripture only of the Lord, because he is the only one whose love is undistrated by the possibility of more attractive lovers. He alone reufses to let go of what he embraces. Our loves will be healthy only if we participate in and imitate the jealous love of God. In an age of sexual confusions, serial romance, and rampant divorce, we need more jealousy, not less."
Citation: Leithart, Peter J. From the “Quodlibet” department in “Touchstone” magazine. July/August 2010. Page 6.
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