ZECHARIAH 8:2

“‘The LORD of armies says this: “I am exceedingly jealous for Zion, yes, with great wrath I am jealous for her.”’” 

Man, I can remember getting jealous about some things in my life. When I was a young teen, I remember getting jealous over girls. I remember being jealous over a friend’s new car. I remember being jealous about someone else’s job. Jealousy in these areas will eat at you and cause you to be bitter or resentful.

That is NOT the kind of jealousy we are looking at today in Zechariah 8:2. God says, “I am exceedingly jealous…” If that was meant in the same way I mentioned earlier, we would have a terrible God. But that is not what this word means here. Perhaps it is better translated as “zealous.” God is overwhelmed with love for Zion, for the people of Israel. He will defend the people with whatever it takes. They are His, and no one can take them away.

APPLICATION

What are you that zealous or jealous about? What drives your passion? What good thing in your life has God given you which you have that kind of passion for? Let me name a few and see if they fit you. How about your children (if you have some)? Would you consider yourself protective of them to the point of being zealous? You know what they say about a mama bear and her cubs. My wife would defend our kids to her death.

Are you jealous over your time with God? Do you set aside time every day to be with Him? I mean, nothing disrupts that time. I can relate to that. My time with the Lord is very important to me. I had never really thought about it being a jealousy, but it is – in a good way. Matthew 6:33 tells us to seek Him first and His righteousness. Are you doing that?

The next time you get jealous (in a bad way) over something, stop yourself and ask if this thing you are so jealous about has any eternal value. Those are the things we need to be jealous about. Those are the things that matter. Jealousy can be a good thing. Just look at our God.

I want to show just how jealous I am over You, my Lord. I seek You with all my heart.