If God is perfect, then how can he be jealous?

That passage is from the old testament. During that time, israelites wanted to project God as one with an iron hand since religion during that time was also political. They used religion to obtain some kind of order among their people. In the new testament, Christ showed that the portrait of God depicted by the israelites was innacurate and he preached that God was a good and loving God. This is what makes the new testament revolutionary, Christ actually controverted what the old testament was saying. This didn't go well with some israelites thus most of them to date are still not Christians. This new doctrine, however, went well to some, thus, we have Christians today.

Frederick42, you again misunderstood. The Bible is a spiritual book. And, God is spirit; not 'a spirit,' but spirit. God is manifested and incarnate in Jesus Christ. I don't expect you to understand that; because it's spiritual in origin and nature. You have to become spiritually minded. Now the spiritual equivalent to the word "jealous" in the Bible simply means, "infinite, measureless and unfailing. Now that's how God's love is toward mankind. It has nothing to do with the jealousy we have toward our soul mates, spouses, boyfriends or girlfriends. That's, our, unholy possessive jealousy. God's jealousy is a holy jealousy. Which is the reason why Jesus Christ, God's only begotten son was sacrificed to suffer and die on that cursed cross for the sins/wrongdoing of all mankind. You should know, at least, that you cannot put God equal to man (humans)You cannot equate God with man; because God is Spirit; and man is human. Spiritual persons can be jealous, even if it's a little bit jealous. As long as you are human, whether spiritual or not, you can be jealous; it's a human trait/characteristic. So, Frederick, you see, you do need a study Bible after all, because there's a lot of help available to that which you still don't understand. And there's a lot you still don't understand.

Misunderstanding of the spiritual wordings and meanings of the Bible is not isolated. In fact it cannot be grasped by anyone who is not open-minded to the spiritual and also not a believer. But you have the right to your opinion, and we differ in our understanding of a given subject. I have practiced Yoga for over 46 years, and with a group of devotees for almost 31years. And I have found jealousy in those who were confronted by situations where it was expected of them to react in that manner. Jealousy is a human trait which cannot be terminated by meditation of what ever nature. It's man's nature to become jealous at times, because of his human nature. Meditation cannot cure you from jealousy.

Yes, I am totally in agreement on this. All these ideas and dictats about God asking men to follow Him or else this will happen and that misfortune will befall…all seem to be tricks by an insecure personality, trying to garner support by scaring people into following Him. Genuine belief needs no preconditions, no force, no allurements …it should come from within, it is complete surrender without any expectation. You talk of meditation…it’s the only way of knowing our soul and our soul is the only direct connect between this body and the greater cosmic energy that surrounds all of us. If you are into meditation, you are already on the correct and only way to meeting GOD.

Help.Where is it written that G-d is perfect? Or that He isn't emotional? I like that He is jealous and lose His temper. Having a temper is something we share. It brings me closer to Him.

If you're talking about the verse in Exodus 20:5, it should have been translated "...for I, the Lord your God, am a zealous God..." What God is saying is that He cares about these things.

Jealousy may not always be a negative emotion if it is combined with clear and open communication. Humans are less than perfect and seek the attention of others for excitement and insecurity about their attractiveness and desireability to others. Humans may leave the faith they grew up in or their deity due to lack of faith or being approached by a more charismatic religion that seems more exciting or has more charasmatic leadership. If their god or partner does not communicate their displeasure that their lover or disciple is straying to another, they allow that person to stray down a sometimes dangerous and painful path where their life, health, and relationship may be permanently damaged. The person straying from their faith or relationship may interpret a lack of jealousy as the mate or deity's noncaring, and thus give themselves permission to seek further to try to fill the void inside themselves which they are hoping to fill. Of course jealousy must be dealt with in a mature and rational manner. And once it is clear that the person who is creating the jealousy has no intention of trying to save their existing relationship, the god or partner must accept their decision and try to forgive and transcend any negative emotions which are created. We can strive to be more like our vision of godliness, but sadly we are still human and most of us are still far from our own ideals of spritual perfection when faced by major negative life changing events.

Anybody can be jealous because anybody can be hurt by the one they love.... It doesn't mean your jealous not perfect.... We are full of energy of emotions.... And God also full emotions.... But God has that we don't have and that is unending love and merciful....

I think god is perfect and he is not jealous. I feel it is ignorance of people who say god is jealous. Jealous is basic quality of human, they compare them selves with people who are better than them or when they don't get what they want. If the bible say god is jealous then I don't know where is the mistake.

Yes, you right... God is perfect,, he cant be jealous.. maybe we must be more critical with our holy book...

yeah i feel agree with u one who believe in god oeany almighty power will not feel jealous in any way jealousy iis ignored in every ignored wat u say