The Zeal of God

Doctrine 1

November 9, 2015

The Zeal of God

     Zeal; it is not a commonly used word in our day. In our endeavor to learn who God is, and what He is like; His Zeal is one thing that we must understand. The modern day definition of “zeal” is, “great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or objective” (Google) Going back to the definition used in 1828 in Webster's Dictionary, “Passionate ardor in the pursuit of any thing. In general, zeal is an eagerness of desire to accomplish or obtain some object, and it may be manifested either in favor of any person or thing, or in opposition to it, and in a good or bad cause” (Webster's 1828). The key ideas in both of these definitions are “passion” and “pursuit.” So, The Zeal of God could be 'translated' as The Passionate Pursuit Of God. Yet, this definition seems to be replaced with a slightly different, yet fuller, meaning when you look at the original languages.

     As I did a word study on “zeal,” I found that “zeal” and “jealous” are translated from the same word; both in the Hebrew [קִנְאָה (qin'âh): jealousy, envy, zeal] and in the Greek [ζῆλος, ου,ὁ (zelos): eagerness, zeal, enthusiasm, jealousy, rivalry.] If zeal is passionate pursuit, then we must ask questions about what that means in relation to God. What is God in pursuit of? Why does He pursue this thing or things? To what is God zealously opposed? What makes it the object of His Hatred? What does God envy? For what is He jealous? In the answers to these questions, we find out what God's zeal is like.

I. Zeal is who God is

     "The LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God" (Exodus 34:14) The thing He is called by, His name, is jealous. It is inseparably connected to Him in His being. Actually, it never became connected to God, it is who he has been for all of eternity. Zealous for what? His Glory. “The Glory of the Lord is any manifestation of God's character.” (MacArthur) “I created for my glory,” (Isaiah 43:7). He created to manifest Himself. This is the thing that God is pursuing; to be manifested to, in, and by the things that He has created.

II. The Just, Wrathful Zeal of God is Merited by Men

     "Not one jot or tittle of the law can fail; therefore the least violation must bring suffering on the part of those who offend" (F. B. Meyer). The story of Uzzah and the Ark of the Covenant shows God's zeal for His Holiness. David and 30,000 men were transporting the Ark from Baale-judah to "Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God" (2 Sam. 6:6-7). God had said that no one except the Kohathites could touch the ark; and even then, they weren't supposed to use wagons, because their service was to bear it upon their shoulders, (Num_7:9). But, God killed him. Why? He was a son of Abinadab. "So what," you might say, "Didn't he have a good intention in his heart in catching the Ark? He was just trying to keep the Ark clean." Uzzah did not realise that the muddy ground was more clean he. If he had let the Ark fall, he would not have died. He had good intention in keeping the ark away from dirt; but, a "good intention will not justify a bad action" (Matthew Henry). God zeal is pure. He demands full obedience to his Law. He is Jealous, envious for true worship. He says that we shall not make or serve any thing except Him, Because "I the LORD your God am a jealous God" (Deut 5:9).

  "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth" (Rom. 1:18) Violent anger and indignation is what we deserve as sinful beings. God has every right, because He is Holy, to reject us, to hate us. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23) His just punishment of offenses and crimes against His Glory and Name is what humans deserve. We, as Er, Judah's firstborn, are all wicked in the sight of the LORD, and deserving of the LORD putting us to death (Gen. 38:7).

III. The Loving Zeal of God is Unmerited.

     “The wisdom of God devised a way for the love of God to deliver sinners from the wrath of God while not compromising the righteousness of God” (John Piper). In this God manifested His zeal for His Glory. "For my name's sake I defer my anger, for the sake of my praise I restrain it for you, that I may not cut you off” (Isaiah 48:9) The only reason that He does not kill us all right now and send us to hell is for His names sake. Yes, we deserve it. Yes, He would be right to do so. But, for the sake of being honored and for the opportunity to show his unconditional Love, He sent Jesus.

     Remember the definition of Zeal, passionate pursuit. God is Actively Searching for his People; A pursuing overtaking zeal to get, gain, adopt the ones Loved. He seeks for people to worship Him. "Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out”( Ezekiel 34:11) Why would He do that? #1. For His Glory. #2. Compassion for the sheep. The stupid sheep, He seeks. There is no merit in us. Apart from Him, we are dead, lifeless, unable to do anything of our works to please Him (Eph. 2:1). Indeed, even our righteous deeds are as filthy, nasty, polluted, morally impure, and defiled by sin in His sight (Is. 64:6) “I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, "Here I am, here I am," to a nation that was not called by my name” (Isa. 65:1) In this we see that; The Zeal of God is Active, it is Compassionate and Merciful, and is life-giving.

APPLICATION

     The Zeal of God is Worthy of Worship. Especially in my third point, we see reason to Worship God. All that He has done in seeking undeserving sinners, us, should make it easy.

     The Zeal of God for His Glory is Worthy of Imitation. Pray for zeal from God, for God. Ask and it shall be given to you. God wants to be glorified, so He will help you in your weakness. You have power from God himself. Realize it. “A prayerless Christian is like a bus driver trying alone to push his bus out of a rut because he doesn't know Clark Kent is on board”(John Piper).

     Imitating the Zeal of God should drive us to seek sinners. When we see the lengths that He took to save us, Missions seems reasonable. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Rom_12:1, KJV) Join hands with the one who seeks souls.

Works Cited/ Used

Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994. Print.

Harrison, Everett F., ed. in chief. Baker's Dictionary of Theology. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House Company, 1960. Print.

Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible, e-Sword Bible Program.

-on 2 Samuel 6:6-11

Meyer, F.B. Through the Bible, Day By Day. E-sword Bible Program. (on 2 Samuel 6:1-11)

Piper, John. Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist. (internet)