Bill Maher and Oprah Jealous God

By Douglas Michaels
Published October 15, 2008
Christianity
Rating: Unrated
Douglas Michaels
Douglas Michaels is committed to help people develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He does so by Bible Study, prayer, fellowship, and witnessing in word and deed. More like this at http://mcministries-uninc.blogspot.com/.View all articles by Douglas Michaels
Bill and Oprah have something in common. They are both hung up on the Bible verses that say, "God is a jealous God." There are about six of them, all in the Old Testament. The problem is due to the way the negative connotation of the word "jealous" is predominate in our society today. However, there is a positive and a negative side to the word. Both sides are noted in scripture. In Gal 5:20 jealousy is listed as an act of a sinful nature. There are many other acts listed here as well, but the fact that jealousy is a sinful act would negate it from being an attribute of a Perfect God.In 2 Cor 11:2 Paul refers to a jealousy for others, indicating a relationship that he is zealous to keep. This positive attribute would certainly be consistent with a Perfect God.So the word "jealous" actually means an exclusive single-mindedness of emotion which may be morally blameworthy or praiseworthy. The good or the bad connotation is dependent upon whether the object of the jealousy is the self or a cause beyond the self. If the object is the self then envy is the rusult. That would be inconsistent with a Perfect God.If the object is a cause beyond the self then the result is a single-minded pursuit
of a good end. That would be consistent with a Perfect God.Bill and Oprah's problem with the word jealous is now a stumbling block for many people. My hope is that you will take the time to consider the fuller meaning and not let it be a stumbling block for you.A good example might be in order. My best example would be the marriage covenant, where a jealousy for the exclusiveness of the relationship is a necessary condition of its permanence. Who in a marriage would not want the other person to be jealous for them. Did you see the difference there. The little word "for" instead of "of." Oprah says she can't believe that a God would be jealous of her. Hence the mistake. God is jealous "for" her, not "of" her. He desires a relationship with her and with Bill Maher and with you. Just to quickly answer another of Bill Maher's questions. If God can destroy the devil then what is He waiting on? He is waiting on you Bill. He is giving you the most opportunity to admit that you are a sinner and not worthy of being in the presence of a sinless, omnipotent God. He is waiting for you to accept the fact that God has paid your sin penalty for you, which is death, through Jesus Christ who died for you.Once you die, or God steps in to defeat the devil once and for all, then it will be too late.