Nehushtan...God is jealous


Introduction: One of the names of God is Jealous. He is incensed with the jealousy that kindles His wrath should it be provoked. In many ways, we provoke Him to jealousy. Were it not for the mercy of the Lord, we would have been consumed many times over. God is good and always provided solutions to problems that we encounter. In many circumstances, these solutions have ended up taking up the place of God and received the glory due to Him. In today’s study we will critically examine the jealousy of God.
Texts: Numbers 21:8,9, 2Kings 18:4, Exod 20:5
Discussion questions
1.       The following verses describe God as jealous; how fair is it to refer to God as such?
Exod 34:14, Deut 4:24
2.       What is the consequence of provoking God to jealousy?   Deut 5:9; 6:15, Josh 24:19
3.       How did “Nehushtan” come about? Num 21:8,9, 2Kings 18:4
4.       In what ways can we (today) be repeating the ‘Nehushtan’ experience?
5.       How can we avoid the trap of transferring God’s glory? Isa 42:8, Acts 12:21-23, Rev 14:7

Summary: Although, He cannot be seen, the Lord is the originator and terminator of all things, events and circumstances. No one can say a thing and it comes to pass unless the Lord authorises it. This knowledge should be borne by all and interpreted to mean that our achievements should be attributed to Him and He should be the only one to get the glory. Should we find ourselves subjecting ourselves to certain ‘godfathers’, we need penitence so we do not lose out of the graces of God and hence incur His anger. He is a jealous God.

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