Another Dad-conversation that started with a good question, and requires me to put into words something that I haven't thought of explicitly in a long time.My son was wrestling a bit with the idea that God is a jealous God, and that he does things for his own glory. Why is this, he asked...it seems that is selfish and bad. When we act like that, it's not OK. Why is it OK for God?
My answer went something like this:
God is the only one that is actually worthy of praise. It's right for Him to be jealous.
When any human is jealous, or out for his/her own glory, it is inappropriate and selfish and wrong... because sin is involved. We are generally out for our own glory, fame, and selfish desires.
God, however, is out for our good. He is not selfish, even though that seems contradictory when using the word jealous. His love is perfect. His thoughts are perfect. He knows us, (he made us) and knows that we will be more happy, fulfilled, and content when our allegiance is not divided between Him and someone or something else.
I know that's a simple answer for something that will take many more years for even me to fully understand and experience, but it's a good start to the conversation about how we are different than God, and how a relationship with Him works.
