“the spirit of jealousy comes upon him” (Num 5:14, NKJV)
The third spirit that is explicitly named in the Bible is the spirit of jealousy, in the original Hebrew referred to as ruach qinah. The Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge explains it as “Ruach qinah, either a supernatural diabolic influence, exciting him to jealousy, or, rather, the passion or affection of jealousy.”
Scripture is filled with examples where people are ensnared by this spirit and how in time it starts causing great prolems in their relationship with God (and with others), affecting their lives in a very real way. We’ll just quickly refer to a few of the most well-known examples to illustrate:
- Cain was jealous of the fact that God accepted his brother’s sacrifice, but not his own (Gen. 4:4-5).
- Rachel was jealous of her sister who had gotten pregnant by Jacob, whilst she could not (Gen. 30:1)
- Joseph’s brothers were jealous because they thought that he was their father’s favourite son (Gen. 37:11)
- When the people in 1 Sam. 18:7-8 sang, “Saul has slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands”, Saul became very angry, and very jealous of David. - The older brother was jealous of the fact that his father welcomed back the son who had left and wasted away his entire inheritance, even throwing a welcome back party and lavishing gifts on him (Luke 15:27-28)
- Because of their influence on a host of religious Greeks and a large number of leading women, the secular Jews became jealous of Paul and Silas, and wanted to kill them with the help of a mob (Acts 17:4-5).
There are Charismatic ministers of the Word, like Arthur Burke, who place a lot of emphasis on the effects that jealousy can have on you. He tells many stories of jealousy in ministries, between family members, and how it has a very negative impact on those others had been jealous of. He also places great emphasis on curses and inequities that can result from this spirit through soulish prayer and actions that are then “transferred” to the believer.
I radically disagree with this position. There will always be people who are jealous of aspects of your life, be it your belongings, your education, your physical strength, your physical appearance, your children, your circumstances, or your good life, or the amount of situps you can do in the gym, or the spiritual revelation you receive. The list is neverending. As long as you are in alignment with Christ, this jealousy can in NO WAY affect your life. There is no unseen sword of jealousy that hangs over your head and that can strike at any point. In Christ Satan cannot touch you, and is indeed as Solomon notes in Prov. 26:2 (ESV): “a curse that is causeless does not alight”.
BUT, if you are the jealous party, there are very serious implications for your life. More on this in the next teaching.
.
- Selah: Ask the Holy Spirit if you have the spirit of jealousy.
- Read: Job 32-34
- Memorise: Job 34:14-15
- For a more in-depth understanding: Read Packer, J.I’s Knowing God.
