According to http://dictionary.reference.com/ :
ENVY and JEALOUSY are very close in meaning. ENVY denotes a longing to possess something awarded to or achieved by another (e.g. to feel envy when a friend inherits a fortune).
JEALOUSY, on the other hand, denotes a feeling of resentment that another has gained something that one more rightfully deserves (e.g. to feel jealousy when a co-worker receives a promotion). JEALOUSY also refers to anguish caused by fear of unfaithfulness.
This discussion arose during Bible Study this week when I posed the question: Is it wrong that God is a jealous God?
Usually, we consider jealousy as a negative emotion and we believe that it is wrong to be jealous. We use the words “jealousy”, “envy” and sometimes even “covetousness” interchangeably. As it turns out, the 3 words are not interchangeable! As far as I know, God is never described as an envious or covetous God – He never desires to possess something that someone else possesses. However, God is often described as a jealous God – He will not tolerate it when someone takes away something that is rightfully His.
As Timo Ang suggested, God is not wrong to be jealous. All of creation belongs to Him because He is the Creator of the universe. We belong to Him. He has every right to be jealous over our affections. He has every right to be intolerant of our worship towards other idols because these idols have stolen away our affection that is rightfully His.
Another interesting thing brought up by Dexter. “Jealousy” is an adjective created by finite human minds. God’s feelings towards us cannot be confined by any human language. He is so infinite, so indescribable, so unfathomable. Perhaps the word “jealous” is used to simplify God’s indescribable emotion so that we mere mortals can hope to gain SOME understanding of it. But we cannot use a mortal word to completely describe a divine God.
At this point, I would also like to caution all of you not to think that since God feels jealous, it is OK for us to feel jealous too. We must remember that God is perfect and His jealousy is a HOLY and PERFECT jealousy. The jealousy that we humans feel is incredibly imperfect and can often lead to anger and even covetousness, which is a sin.
In conclusion! The answer is no. God is definitely not wrong to be a jealous God. And jealousy ≠ envy ≠ covetousness.
Hope this helps! =)
WELCOME!
Copyrighted YPM DAVID!
