Jealous Again

Jealousy… vice or virtue?  The way we usually experience or express it, probably the former.  But in relation to God, who obviously has no vices, certainly the latter.

Consider the following New Oxford American Dictionary definitions of the word "jealous":

• feeling or showing envy of someone or their achievements and advantages
• feeling or showing suspicion of someone's unfaithfulness in a relationship
• fiercely protective or vigilant of one's rights or possessions
• (of God) demanding faithfulness and exclusive worship

Throughout the Old Testament, God is called a "jealous God."  Exodus 20:3-5, Deuteronomy 4:23-24, Joshua 24:16-19 and other passages highlight the fourth and, to some extent, the second definitions above.  In Joel 2:18, however, the third definition comes into play: "Then the LORD became jealous for his land…"

Despite all debate and conflict, the land variously known as Canaan/Israel/Palestine/the Promised Land/the Holy Land has been eternally deeded to the Jews by it's rightful owner, Jehovah God.  Why the Almighty chose a plot of ground in the Middle East roughly the size of New Jersey as His "home away from Home" we may never know (until His kingdom comes).  But whatever the reason, the Land is His.

In the aftermath of the locust plague described by Joel, and even more so following the foreign invasion predicted by Joel, God would endure only so much violation of His holy real estate.  It's likely that the "northerners" to be driven out in Joel 2:20 were the Assyrians who ravaged the land after their conquest and deportation of Israel.  It's interesting to note, however that the 70-year exile of the Jews was directly related to their own abuse of the God's land (see 2 Chronicles 36:20-12).

In the ultimate "Day of the Lord," referred to often by Joel, God will once again be jealous for His land.  After thousands of years trying to wrest the Promised Land from the people of promise, Israel's enemies will unite for one final assault.  God Himself will crush the invaders, reestablish Israel's divinely appointed borders and take up personal residence as King. (see Joel 3 & Revelation 19-21).  The LORD is jealous for His land!

And now for a soap box I don't usually get on…  I'm by no means what you would call an "environmentalist."  My wife has to constantly remind me where the paper, plastic and aluminum go!  But digging into Joel 2:18 and related passages brought to mind verses like Psalm 24:1-2 – "The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters."

The human race has been given dominion, read "stewardship," over the earth.  We serve God in caring for HIS world.  And despite the fact that, "The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare" (2 Peter 3:10), before God re-creates this world the way He intended it to be (see again Revelation 21), we are accountable to Him for the way we treat this planet He allows us to live on.  The Lord is jealous for His land...  so let's take good care of it!