Life-Giving Words of Hope & Encouragement

The name El Kanna appears in Exodus 34:14: “Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” Here, jealousy doesn’t stem from weakness or fear of competition. Instead, it’s the righteous passion of a covenant-keeping God who desires an unbroken relationship with His people. God’s jealousy reflects His love—so deep and unwavering that He will not share His glory or our affections with anything or anyone that could harm or take us away from Him.

God’s jealousy is not born out of envy or inadequacy. He does not need to compete with anyone, as He is all-sufficient and sovereign. Instead, His jealousy is a protective, covenantal zeal. He is jealous for us because He knows that anything that draws us away from Him leads to destruction. His jealousy is a holy consuming fire, not to harm us but to purify and guard our relationship with Him.

Consider a loving parent who sees their child being influenced by dangerous friends or habits. The parent’s protective instincts rise, not because they envy the child’s choices, but because they want to protect their child from harm. Similarly, God’s jealousy arises when idols, sin, or distractions threaten our intimacy with Him.

Everything God does for us is rooted in His covenant love. In Deuteronomy 7:9, we read: “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.” God’s jealousy is not an abstract emotion but a demonstration of His unwavering commitment to us. He acts out of love, ensuring that nothing disrupts the relationship He established through His promises.

Throughout Scripture, we see examples of God’s righteous jealousy. When Israel turned to idolatry, God’s heart grieved, not because He needed their worship for His benefit but because He knew their disobedience would lead them to ruin. His jealous love called them back to repentance, not out of spite, but to restore them to the abundant life found only in Him.

God’s jealous love reached its pinnacle in Jesus Christ. When sin separated humanity from Him, God’s zeal for us drove Him to send His Son to restore our broken relationship. In John 3:16, we see the depth of God’s love: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Through Jesus’ sacrifice, God demonstrated that His jealousy is not about control but about restoration. He desires to remove every barrier that hinders us from experiencing His fullness. Jesus’ death and resurrection are proof of God’s relentless pursuit of His people.

Knowing that God is jealous for us calls us to a response. Just as He is zealous in His love for us, we are invited to reciprocate with wholehearted devotion. The first commandment, “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3), is not a demand born out of tyranny but an invitation to exclusive intimacy with the One who loves us most.

• Examine Our Hearts: What competes for our affection and attention? Are there idols—whether money, relationships, career, or personal ambitions—that threaten our devotion to God?

• Seek His Presence: Spend time in prayer, worship, and Scripture to cultivate a deeper relationship with Him.

• Trust His Love: When life becomes difficult, remember that God’s jealousy means He is fighting for you, not against you. His plans are always for your good (Jeremiah 29:11).

God’s jealousy is a testament to His character as a loving, faithful, and covenant-keeping God. His righteous zeal rises when something threatens to steal our hearts from Him. We find security in His jealousy, knowing He will never abandon or forsake us.

Let’s embrace God’s jealous love, not as something to fear but as an assurance of His unwavering commitment. He is El Kanna, the God who is not jealous of us but passionately jealous for us. Let this truth inspire us to live with wholehearted devotion, confident that the God who loves us will always fight to keep us close. I hope this speaks to you, and I pray you have a blessed day!