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4th and Elm Audio
The Daily Bible
The Daily Bible, Week 7
Key Scripture: Deut 6:10-15
Main Point:
There can only be one first in our life.
Reflection:
What a loaded paragraph! First we are given the warning of forgetting the Lord in the midst of our satisfaction. In spite of everything the Lord had done for the Israelites, they were in constant danger of forgetting that He was the source of their blessings. Our constant reverence for our relationship with Him is our safeguard from complacency, apathy, and rebellion. Our devotion toward God is what keeps us from stumbling back into the darkness. Isn’t it amazing that the sometimes the sheer routine of our lives lulls away from intimacy with God? Perhaps this is what God has in mind when He gives us practices and commands to keep us focused on our relationship with Him.
Many times Moses communicates God’s message that He is a jealous God. In light of several New Testament passages, this statement of God’s character causes one to pause (1 Cor 13:4; James 4:2; Acts 17:5). However, this word does not always signify a negative, destructive concept. While this word describes fierce passion, it can also be used to describe a positive, righteous zeal that is loving, protective, and even sacrificial (1 Cor 12:31; 2 Cor 11:2). In fact, this emotion is stirred from an intense commitment to another. In other words, imagine if God didn’t care about us! Aren’t you glad He’s jealous, like a husband and wife, God has no desire to share us with another or to lose us to another. A similar passage could be translated, “He tolerates no rivals!” (Deut 4:24). No wonder He tells us not to test Him in the very next paragraph (Deut 6:16). In contrast, what God asks for from us is no less than He Himself gives, our whole devotion (Deut 6:4-5). Would we tolerate any less from our spouse? This devotion is the foundation and fervor of covenant relationships.
Discussion Starters:
- How does it feel to be satisfied? How can satisfaction be spiritually dangerous?
- What is the difference between Jealousy and Envy?
- When is Jealousy a good thing? (2 Cor 11:2)
- How would our worship look if we shared God’s passion for our relationship with Him?
- What are God’s rivals in our lives?
Notes:
Both jealousy and envy concern the possession of something — an object, a situation, a quality, a relationship with a person, etc. — and both can be selfish or unselfish. Even so, they come at possession from opposite directions. In general, jealousy concerns the loss of what one has, and envy concerns one’s not having what one wants. Jealousy often arises in personal relationships, and it concerns whether I want to hold on to the “object” of jealousy either for my sake or for the sake of the “object.” Envy ranges more widely than jealousy, because it concerns what one does not have. The object of my envy could be anything — material objects, status, a relationship, traits, etc.
Envy is always bad, stirred by the sight or knowledge of lacking, while Jealousy can be used for good (zeal, concern) in relationships.
Rightful jealousy (protective, possessive, exclusive, mourning of loss, anger) as in covenant relationships, ie… Marriage. (vows, forsake all others, 2 Cor 11:2). Like Justifiable anger, or taking of life (murder vs. Kill).
Covenant violation (Deut 6:4-5). He tolerates no rivals.