My Jealous God

Written by Zhey Chua |Posted on March 6, 2008 | Comments

I grew up “knowing” God.
Growing up in a Catholic setting, I was practically spoon-fed with stories of God’s overflowing love for mankind, his merciful nature, his kindness, patience for sinners, tolerance for man’s sinful nature, his loving ways and his pure heart.
Little did I know that I was only introduced to the other side of God’s character, until I became a Christian under the discipleship of Rev. Larry John Sy of the Disciples of Christ Community Church.
At the age of 30, I thought I already knew everything there is to know about God and Jesus Christ. Gee, I grew up thinking that I can talk to God in anyway I want to, in fact, many times, I prayed like I was just talking to my best friend and many times, I’d fall short and tell myself that it’s okay because God will understand and will forgive me anyway.

So, just imagine my shock and utter disbelief when, at age 31, I was being “indoctrinated” into believing that my God is a jealous God and a God full of wrath for man because of man’s sinful nature. God, a jealous God? Uh-huh. I could not believe it myself at first, but because there is always the Scriptures* to refer to and my brain to process the information being passed down to me and, most importantly, God’s grace so that I could understand a little bit better, I learned to see the truth in such statement.
Now, armed with that knowledge and the consciousness of that other persona of God, I am becoming more aware of my frailty as a human being and such awareness gives me accountability for my actions and thoughts. I am becoming more open to the fact that I have to be careful of the things I say and do lest I offend God and I suffer the consequences for it.
It is just amazing how I see things in a better perspective now. Well of course I have yet a lot to learn, still a long way to go, but I am glad I have finally found the way.
Amazing grace, indeed.

(*Reference: The Holy Bible, Books of Nahum 1:2, Deuteronomy 6:14-15, Exodus 20:5)

Nahum 1:2
The LORD is a jealous and avenging God;
the LORD takes vengeance and is filled with wrath.
The LORD takes vengeance on his foes
and maintains his wrath against his enemies.

Deuteronomy 6:14-15
Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land.

Exodus 20:5

You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,