Beyond the Weekend: GOD IS...
People have a lot of thoughts about God. Some say he is angry and vengeful. Some say he is a buddy or best friend. But what does Scripture tell us about God?
Understanding the character of God matters. It changes how we meet him in our everyday lives. It changes how we understand the world around us, and his work in it. And it changes our prayer life and how we talk and hear from him. Understanding the character of God leads us to living lives of obedience and worship.
Join Pastors Aaron Buer, Jeff Manion and Brad Holmes in our 10-week series GOD IS ..., a study on the identity and character of God, and learn how your faith can grow as you know God better.
God Is Jealous
Read: Exodus 20:1-6 Listen: Exodus 20
“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God.” Exodus 20:4-5
God says he is jealous near the beginning of his relationship with Israel. He just brought them out of slavery in Egypt and begins teaching them what it means to be his people. Jealousy can make people feel embarrassed. It is often equated with pettiness, insecurity or envy. But God’s jealousy is different. Envy involves wanting what someone else has. But jealousy is rooted in protecting what is yours. God’s jealousy is about protecting what is his—and that is his people.
God’s jealousy is good news because it benefits us. This week we will look at three ways God’s jealousy is good news for us. First, we look at how jealously God protects our relationship with him. Next, we look at the things that compete for our affection and cause God’s jealousy. Then we will look at how to identify and replace the things that are the source of his jealousy.
TODAY: Let God know you are grateful his jealousy benefits you. You might pray, “Thank you, Father, for how much you love me and want to guard our relationship. Your jealousy makes me feel secure in how much you value and care for me. Amen”
JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:
Read Isaiah 3-5.Highlight anything that points to Jesus.
