Exodus 20:5

a— Does God get jealous?

PROBLEM: The Bible not only says here that God is a “jealous God,” but it also declares His very “name is Jealous” (Exodus 34:14). On the other hand, jealousy is a sin. But, if God is absolutely holy, then how can He be jealous?

SOLUTION: God is jealous in the good sense of the word, namely, He is jealous for the love and devotion of His people (cf. Exodus 20:5). Paul spoke of a “godly jealousy” (2 Corinthians 11:2). The verses on God’s jealousy are all in the context of idolatry. Like any true lover, God is jealous when anyone or anything else steals the devotion of His beloved.

Exodus 20:5 b— Does God ever punish one person for another’s sins? (See comments on Ezekiel 18:20)