A Jealous God
 

What do others make of the idea of a "Jealous God", a phrase found on Yahweh's lips, recorded for posterity in Exodus:-

"For I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God"

Context is everything. What "context" would you put such a claim by Yahweh into? What context do you think it is put into, given the history of religion?

(I'm interested in any form/claim of exclusiveness, irrespective of any particular religion. Hence, Inter-faith.)

This question occurred to me, funnily enough, when reading biographical details of the 13th century Japanese zen "master" Dogen.

Dogen scorned all the various "sects" of the Dharma, all the various schools he found in his wanderings in China as he sought for answers to his questions (which might not be ours) For Dogen there could only be one Dharma. To be "practiced" not to attain anything, but simply for the sole sake of the Dharma itself.

Dogen sought his own time and place. Such is not exclusive, while the Dharma is. He found it for himself in zazen, secluded in a monastery, writing sermons and poems now being studied more and more by those who seek a "special transmission outside scriptures" which "does not stand upon words".

The Cobbler’s Apprentice,

That is in the category of good news IMO. I associate jealousy with love. God desires our love re the first commandment. God wants to love us but love is a two way street….the commandment is for our own good. Jonah 2:8…..”Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs….” If we love idols or other gods we miss out on the grace of God. The story of the prodigal son illustrates this….the repentant son was showered with grace. The first gift that we were given was life….subsequent gifts(from God) come via a recognition and relationship with God. We would not ponder this verse if it had spoken another truth….”For I am a loving God” the

My dog is jealous when I pet the cat.
It's so funny to see...it seems to be a natural 'instinct' or feeling?
That's what I think of the statement.

HARD to whittle your quote to 3 sentences!
EXCELLENT post.

I did not know Jonah said this: Jonah 2:8…..”Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs….”
Yes! It is as simple as that.
Thank you.

''What is dharma in one sentence?
Cosmic order or law, including the natural and moral principles that apply to all beings and things.'' -online.

Is this how you are meaning it? Cob...Cob is so much easier to type!!!

Considering Jealousy is a 'Sin' according to Christianity and definitely a negative emotion I presume that the Scribe has a different idea of what jealousy is....
Jealousy imo is a unhealthy attachment to someone/something.

Simply the way things are. Truth. Further definitions seem to complicate acceptance. Or so it seems to me.

I'd see it as simply wishing the very best for us. Only the truth will do.
Obviously, historically, in terms of exclusiveness, the words have thrown a deep shadow.

It's interesting how we all see it differently. As I said (Imo) i'm referring to my personal feelings that came when feeling jealousy, thankfully I grew up :smile: