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Response
In Isaiah 9:1–7, the prophet Isaiah foresaw dark times ahead for Israel. However, with prophetic insight, he looked beyond the impending challenges, punishment, and oppression to a future of glorious deliverance and abundant hope. This hope would arrive in the form of a newborn child, the promised Messiah of Israel: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His dominion and peace will have no end. He will establish . . . justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will bring this to pass” (verses 6–7).
The zeal of the Lord is closely linked in meaning to God’s jealousy. In the ancient Near East, zeal was used by pagan nations to describe the jealous rivalry between their gods. Israel, however, used this term to describe the Lord’s intense love, protective devotion, and eternal faithfulness to His people and His divine purposes for them. Isaiah proclaimed that the zeal of the Lord would ensure the fulfillment of everything he had foreseen for Israel’s future. In essence, Isaiah placed all his prophetic hope on the fervent commitment of Israel’s God to His people.
The zeal of the Lord is God’s divine jealousy in action, working to safeguard and restore His people: “For a remnant will come out of Jerusalem, and survivors from Mount Zion. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will make this happen” (Isaiah 37:32;see also 2 Kings 19:3;Zechariah 1:14;Zechariah 8:2). This zeal forms the basis for God’s requirement of exclusive loyalty, as expressed in the Ten Commandments.God prohibits His worshippers from bowing down to any other gods (Exodus 20:3-5; see also Exodus 34:14; Deuteronomy 5:9). He alone is our God. In His jealous zeal for us, God cannot conceive of His beloved children offering their affection or allegiance to any other: “For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God” (Deuteronomy 4:24; see also Joshua 24:19).
The zeal of the Lord seeks a response of faithfulness and obedience from His people. It does not accept disloyalty. When Israel turned from Yahweh to serve foreign gods, the Lord became jealous for His own reputation (Deuteronomy 32:16,21; Isaiah 42:8). If we are unfaithful to the Lord, His zeal will cause Him to act in judgment «(for the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth. », (Deuteronomy 6:15).
When Nahum announced God’s judgment upon Nineveh because of its great wickedness, cruelty, and idolatry, the prophet began, “The Lord is a jealous and avenging God” «God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. », (Nahum 1:2). In the original language, the adjective translated “jealous” here means “zealous, fiercely protective, and unaccepting of disloyalty.” The Bible uses this adjective exclusively to describe God.In fact, Scripture declares that God’s very name is “Jealous” «for thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: », (Exodus 34:14). His jealousy is not like the human emotion of jealousy but rather a “godly jealousy” «For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. », (2 Corinthians 11:2). As our Creator and Redeemer, God is intensely focused on caring for and protecting us and, when necessary, avenging Himself on the enemies of His people.
The zeal of the Lord assures us of God’s intense love, unstoppable devotion, and relentless commitment to accomplish His purpose in our lives (Isaiah 46:10; Isaiah 55:10-11; Psalm 138:8; Philippians 2:13). The Lord is our champion who cannot be stopped but will triumph over our every enemy «The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies. », (Isaiah 42:13). Our future and salvation are secure in Him (Jeremiah 29:11; Psalm 62:6-7).
