Hosea 11

Jealousy is an ugly word.  Shakespeare, in Othello, said that “It is the green-eyed monster.” It has overtones of selfishness, suspicion, and distrust as it is possessive, demanding, and overbearing. Yet, the Bible clearly shows God saying that He is a jealous God.  We wonder how a God who is holy, just loving, gracious, merciful, and long-suffering be jealous.  In studying the book of Hosea, we remind ourselves of this important characteristic of God that should lead us to loving Him and being faithful to Him.