A Jealous God

"According to the doings of the land of Egypt, where you dwelt, you shall not do; and according to the doings of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you, you shall not do.... You shall observe My judgments and keep My ordinances, to walk in them: I am the LORD your God."
~ Leviticus 18:3-4 (NKJV)

"The LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God."
~ Deuteronomy 4:24 (NKJV)

Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?
~ James 4:4 (NKJV)

Jesus calls His church His bride and Himself her Bridegroom. Throughout the Old Testament, God likewise calls Himself the Husband of His people. And like any husband, He is a jealous God, rightfully wrathful if the affection due to Him is given to anyone else.

When they were set free from Egyptian slavery, the Israelites were not to look to the people around them for how to live, nor to the people from their previous way of life. They were to look only to the Lord for direction in how to live every aspect of their lives.

There is still no aspect of our lives that the Lord does not care about. Though He looks at the condition of our hearts rather than our exterior appearance and works, exterior appearance and works are often an expression of what's in our hearts. Do they conform to the world or God's will and Word?

Beloved Bridegroom, You are jealous for us with an enduring love. You have given us everything and deserve all we have, all we do, all we have. Please open our eyes to the ways we give worship to the world around us rather than to You. Let us not give ourselves to another.

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