El Qannow-The Jealous God

Pronounced Kan-NO

“For you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God” Exodus 34:14

It is critical to interpret the origins of Biblical stories in light of their cultural context in order to properly understand them. We cannot view the Bible from a Western mindset because it was not written for those in the Western World. It was written to people living in the Ancient Near East which refers to early civilizations in a region roughly corresponding to the modern Middle East: Mesopotamia (modern Iraq and Syria), Anatolia (modern Turkey), the Levant (modern Syria, Lebanon, Israel.

The mindsets and backgrounds of people from these regions are very different from ours. The Bible was written to specific people, in a specific location, at a specific time. In other words, to know the significance of the Bible for our time, we need to understand the original significance of these texts within their own time. When we understand this, then we get a better understanding of what’s taking place in a specific Biblical story.

Times and Places

Therefore, Yahweh’s revelation to people in specific times and places, ensured that He communicated with them in a way that was straightforward and understandable to them. He does the same with us today, doesn’t He?

Yahweh’s names display His character clearly, and they continue to reveal His nature through successive generations. His various names allow us to see how absolutely majestic He is, and how vast His love is for us. We really have no idea just how much He loves us…it’s beyond our mortal comprehension.

An Inkling

We do have an inkling when we remember the Father sent His Son to die for us so we could have a way to be reconciled back to the Father. We, Believers, will find out someday just how much He loves us when we make our transition to be with Him.

Connection

The connection between Yahweh (God) and us as believers, is the subject of El Qannow, The Jealous God.

His jealousy isn’t due to selfishness, but a passionate love proclaiming, “I will never leave you, I will never forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:8) This stems from Yahweh’s unconditional love for us.

He is jealous for the devotion, wholeheartedness, loyalty, and love of His Bride, His people.

Just as a husband cannot be indulgent of adultery in his wife, so also Yahweh El Qannow’ cannot and will not tolerate infidelity in us, His Bride.

Jealous Passion

Yahweh is the only Being for whom the jealous passion for His own glory is a supreme act of love.

El Qannow’s jealous passion for the undivided loyalty, praise, and affection of our heart is the leading illustration of His unconditional love for you and me. If you struggle against these truths, you’re proclaiming that some entity or experience or something else can satisfy and captivate your soul more than Yahweh El Qannow’ can. Then that is great disrespect shown to Yahweh or to put it very bluntly…it’s blasphemy!

Note

Blasphemy refers to great disrespect shown to Yahweh or to something holy, or to something said or done that shows this kind of disrespect; heresy refers to a belief or opinion that does not agree with the official belief or opinion of a particular religion. This can be forgiven if one will repent and ask for forgiveness.

Blasphemy against the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) is attributing something of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) to the devil. This is the only sin that cannot be forgiven.

J.I. Parker

As J. I. Packer explains, in his book Knowing God, p.153, “God’s jealousy is not a compound of frustration, envy, and spite, as human jealousy so often is, but appears instead as a . . . praiseworthy zeal to preserve something supremely precious.” Therefore, Divine jealousy is a fierce diligence and passion to guard a love relationship or to exact vengeance when it is violated.

If Yahweh Quannow’ is going to love you, He must shower you with the finest and most pleasurable thing in the entire world. He must give you the finest treasure, the most magnificent prize, the most enduring and pleasurable thing in all of the universe. And what do you think that would be? Himself, naturally! He must freely give you a treasure so beautiful and so lasting that not a day will pass that you do not remember it. And what is that treasure? Again, it’s Himself!

The Essential Treasure

And although that is only half the story, El Qannow must then work in your heart so that you see Him as the essential treasure He is. He must awaken in your soul gladness in Him. He must open your eyes to his beauty and strengthen you to taste the sweetness of knowing Him, loving Him, and appreciating Him.

Does this sound like Yahweh Qannow is pursuing His own glory and His own praise? Absolutely! But it can’t be otherwise unless there is something else that will love you so passionately and powerfully than Yahweh Qannow that will enrapture your heart and fascinate your mind bringing you endless joy, delight, tranquility, and happiness. But there is nothing else for only El Qannow is able to satisfy your soul.

That is why it is true of Yahweh Qannow alone for Him to pursue His own glory and praise is for Him to love and bless you. Yahweh’s jealous pursuit of His own glory and fame is the most loving thing He could ever do for you. His jealous passion for the steadfast loyalty and praise of your heart is the exceptional expression of His love for each of us.

Prayer

El Qanno’, We want You with our whole heart as the only One worthy of our devotion and worship. Help us to reject the rivals we’ve pursued and the passions that possess us. Inspire in us a jealousy to guard us against everything that competes with you as our first and greatest love. Let the power in Your name be effective in every situation of our lives. Help us to understand who You are as El Qanna and how to reverence Your name. In the Name of Your Precious Son Yeshua (Jesus) Amen

Scriptures to Ponder

Exodus 34:14
Exodus 20:4-6
Numbers 25:11
Deuteronomy 4:24
Deuteronomy 6:14-15
Joshua 24:19
Ezekiel 8:3

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