His Name is Jealous

Really? I can think of lots of other names that describe God that appeal to my senses more readily than the label jealous.

Nonetheless it is true. God's name is jealous. I have J. I. Packer in his classic work Knowing God to thank for the insight. In contending for the truth that God reveals Himself as jealous in the best sense of the word he cites most notably Exodus 34:14.

For you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

Packer writes:

From these passages we see plainly what God meant by telling Moses that his name was "Jealous." He meant that he demands from those whom he has loved and redeemed utter and absolute loyalty, and he will vindicate his own claim by stern action against them if they betray his love by unfaithfulness (p. 171, IVP, 1993).

Our God is a jealous God. He demands our utmost devotion to Him as our covenant making and keeping Spouse. What other suitor vies for my/your attention? Let us be done with lesser & adulterous affections and press in to the ultimate Lover of our souls.