Week 8: The Jealousy and Constancy of God — Chapters 11–12

1.The word "jealousy" typically has negative connotations in human experience. Packer argues that God's jealousy is fundamentally different — it is not the insecure jealousy of someone afraid of losing status, but the righteous jealousy of a committed lover who will not share His beloved with a rival. What makes God's jealousy a mark of His love rather than a character flaw?

2.Packer connects God's jealousy to the covenant — God's commitment to His people is like a marriage, and idolatry is like adultery. In what ways do people in your cultural context (and perhaps you yourself) give to created things the devotion, trust, or hope that belongs to God alone?

3.Packer argues that because God is jealous for His people He will not forever tolerate rivals in their hearts — He will bring pressure, even pain, to dislodge them. Have you experienced a season where God seemed to be removing something you were trusting in more than Him? What happened?