The King James Version renders Exodus 20:5 as follows, “I the LORD thy God am a jealous God.” I remember sitting in church reading my Bible, often it was much more interesting than the sermon. I was puzzled by this verse. I thought, “Wow, that’s bad. Jealousy is not nice.” Little did I know that words tend to change meanings as the decades pass. Scores of words used in the KJV have since altered their intent. Take Matthew 19:14 for an example, “Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: . .” I doubt if many little children would understand the word “suffer” in that context. And so it was for me with “jealous.” “Jealous” and “zealous” come from the same roots. Since 1611 “jealous” has taken on great negativity. Most likely those same translators today would possibly render the verse, “For I the LORD thy God am a zealous God.” It certainly has a more positive feel.
I very much like the idea that God is zealous for us. That word means actively and unreservedly enthusiastic. I certainly like enthusiastic people. It’s awful when we are waited on in stores by unenthusiastic people. When they fail to smile and mumble, I really don’t ever want to return. Oh, there was that word “awful” – talk about a word changing meaning. It used to mean wonderful, full of awe. My wife would hardly be happy if I told her she looked awful.
And so it is that we have a God who is an enthusiastic fan; so much so that He gave His only Son that we might have everlasting life. Now that is zealous.
Written by Roger Bothwell on February 24, 2012
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org