JEALOUSY/MY SON'S QUESTION

When my son was in his late teens, he asked, "Why is it okay for God to be jealous, but its not for us?" When I made no reply, he said, "You don't have an answer for that one, do you?"  "No," I replied.  "But He does." 

After he had gone to bed, I inquired of The Lord.  I saw no blinding flash of light, but the following thoughts flowed through my mind:

Our jealousy is not righteous jealousy, for it is fleshly and selfish.  We are desiring something for ourselves that we do not wish to share.  We want to possess the object of our jealousy, and bring it into bondage to ourselves. This is covetousness.

God's jealousy for His people is righteous jealousy, for it is spiritual and has only our good at heart. God desires us for Himself so we can all be one in Love. He wants us for His possession  so that He can set us free and give us abundant life;  For whom the Son makes free is free indeed.

It is Love, receiving to give, not giving to receive.