Biblical Definition of Jealousy:
Proverbs 14:30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
Character Study:
Saul –1 Samuel 9-31; Acts 13:21
Saul’s father was a wealthy, influential man named Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin. Saul was also known to be the most handsome man in Israel – head and shoulders taller than anyone else. His wife was Ahinoam; his sons were Jonathan, Malkishua, Abinadab, Ishbosheth and possibly Ishvi. Daughters – Merab and Michal.
1 Samuel 15:22 But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than a sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. v23 for rebellion is like the sin of divination and arrogance is like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”
Saul is known as:
The first king of Israel:
Saul and one of his servants were out in the hill country of Ephraim, looking for his father’s donkeys. When they could not find the donkeys, his servant suggested that they go and see the prophet (in those days also called a seer), Samuel. When they found Samuel, he instructed Saul to stay with him the night and he would then tell Saul what he wanted to know. In 1 Samuel 10:1-16 Samuel anoints Saul at Ramah by pouring olive oil over his head. He then gives Saul special signs that would be fulfilled to show him that he would be the appointed ruler over Israel.
In vv17-26 Samuel gathers the people in Mizpah and publicly presents them as their first king.
Courage and generosity:
In 1 Samuel 11:1-15, the Spirit of God comes powerfully on King Saul when he is told how King Nahash of Ammon had treated the citizens of Jabesh-Gilead, by gouging out their right eye. He mobilized 330,000 men and launched a surprise attack against the Ammonites before dawn. When the men wanted to know from Samuel where those who had rebelled against Saul were, he said that no one would be executed, because that day the LORD had rescued Israel.
Pride and Disobedience:
In 1 Samuel 13:1-14, we read that Saul took credit for a battle his son Jonathan had won against the Philistines. The Philistines in return mustered a mighty army and camped at Micmash east of Beth-aven. The Israelites became fearful and tried to hide in caves, thickets, rocks, holes and cisterns. Meanwhile, Saul stayed at Gilgal and his men trembled with fear.
In 1 Samuel 10:8 Samuel had instructed Saul to go down to Gilgal and wait there for seven days, assuring him that he will come down there to sacrifice burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Saul became impatient and offered up burnt offerings. When Samuel heard what Saul had done, he reprimanded him in v13
Jealousy and envy:
In 1 Samuel 18 and 19, we read about Saul’s jealousy and envy against David. David did everything Saul assigned him to do successfully, which pleased all the people. After slaying Goliath, the women came out of all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” Saul became very angry. 1 Samuel18:9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. The next day, while David played the harp “an evil spirit from God came forcefully upon Saul.” Saul had a spear in his hand and tried to pin David to the wall. Saul became afraid because he realized that: “the LORD was with David but had left Saul.”
There are 8 accounts in the Bible where Saul tried to kill David:
1 Sam. 18:11 – Saul attempts with a spear.
1 Sam. 18:17 and 21 – Saul plots such that his enemies are to do away with David using his older daughter and then younger as David goes to battle with the Philistines. Being the heir to the throne would make David a prime target.
1 Sam. 19:1 – servants ordered by Saul to kill David.
1 Sam. 19:10 – Saul attempts with a spear
1 Sam. 19:11 – Saul sends messengers to kill David.
1 Sam. 19:15 – Saul sends messengers to bring David back so he can kill David.
1 Sam. 19:20 – Saul sends messengers to kill David.
1 Sam. 19:21 – Saul sends messengers again. (third time)
1 Sam. 19:22 – Saul goes himself in an attempt.
1 Sam. 23:15 – Saul sought David in the wilderness of Ziph and Horesh.
1 Sam. 26:2 – Saul seeks David again in Ziph.
(Answers.com)
What the Bible Teaches about Jealousy/Envy:
Old Testament:
When God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses it says in Exodus 20:4-6 that the Israelites were not allowed to have any form of anything in heaven above or on the earth below. They were not allowed to worship or bow down before them: v5b for I the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, v6 but showing love to a thousand generations, for those who love me and keep my commandments.
In Deuteronomy 32:1-43, which is known as “The Song of Moses”, Moses reminds the people that God is a jealous God. The people had made God jealous. v21a They have roused my jealousy by worshiping things that are not of God; they have provoked my anger with their useless idols. – that is foreign gods and detestable idols.
In Joshua 24:1-27 Joshua gives his final speech. He beseeched the Israelites, asking them to decide whether they would obey the LORD, who had proven that He can be trusted, or obey the local gods from the surrounding nations. These gods were hand-made idols.
As we study the Bible we see that Israel sinned over and over again.
We read in Psalm 103:1-22 and also elsewhere in the Bible about God’s great love for us. We will never be able to fathom God’s love for us.
Proverbs 27:4 Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before a jealous God?
Proverbs is a book of wise sayings written by King Solomon: for attaining wisdom and discipline; understanding words of insight; acquitting a disciplined and prudent life, and doing what is right and just and fair.
We can use Proverbs to apply divine wisdom and moral instruction to our daily life.
New Testament:
In Matthew 27:11-19 Jesus appeared before Pilate, for the chief priests and elders had Jesus arrested for speaking “blasphemy” (Matthew 26:63-65) It was the governor, in this case, Pilate’s custom, to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. Pilate gives the people a choice between Jesus and Barabbas to decide which one should be released.
v18 For he knew it was out of self-interest (envy) that they had handed Jesus over to him.
In Acts 5:17; 13:45;17:5 we see on different occasions the jealousy of the Jewish leaders against the Apostles and Paul.
Romans 11:11-15 In v13 Paul states categorically that he was appointed by God as the apostle to the Gentiles. Why? V11 Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.
In 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, Paul addresses the believers of the church in Corinth. When he previously visited them he spoke to them as though they were infants in the Christian life. He now writes to them, because they are still not ready to be called spiritually mature Christians.
James tells us in James 3:13-18 that there are two kinds of wisdom!
– Those who are wise and understanding must show it by leading a good life and deeds done in humility
– When there is jealousy and selfish ambition do not boast about it or deny the truth.
Application:
Jealousy is also known as the “green-eyed monster.” Jealousy and envy go “hand in hand.” At times we don’t even realize that we are jealous or envious of someone’s success, such as their home, family, job, or money.
How do we recognize it?
1. You deceive yourself when someone close to you is going i.e. on holiday. You tell them you are “happy” for them, but your thoughts and feelings are the opposite – you feel angry because you have not been on holiday for a long time.
2. Jealousy or envy can be idolatry when we focus on the material things people around us have. Those are the times we need to be on our “guard” because we can turn around and think that God’s provision and care are not sufficient for us. What we need to do is: Repent knowing God knows our thoughts from afar and He will forgive us.
3. We are faced with a choice when jealousy or envy rears its ugly head. We can be discontent or we can be joyful.
4. Count your blessings when jealousy takes control of your mind i.e. a beautiful sunshine day in winter, a family who loves you “warts and all”, and having Jesus in your life as a friend.
Conclusion:
1 Peter 2:1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
Responding in Prayer:
Read Psalm 143:1-12. We can pray this Psalm when we want to ask God for guidance on how to overcome jealousy.
When jealousy/envy fills our thoughts we need to admit to ourselves that we are jealous and stop justifying our sin!
We can then go to the Lord in prayer and confess our jealousy, specifying exactly what we are jealous about.
We can repent before the Lord and ask Him to help us overcome the hopelessness and depression we feel because we do not have what others have.
Praise the Lord for all the blessings He has given you and thank Him for His unfailing love, putting your trust in Him.