The Hebrew name for God, El Kanna, appears six times in the Old Testament, first noted in Exodus 34:14. After leading the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage, God brought them to Mount Sinai where He imparted the Ten Commandments to Moses. However, during Moses' absence on the mountain, the people persuaded Aaron to create a golden calf for worship. Upon Moses' return and witnessing the idolatry, he shattered the stone tablets inscribed with God's commandments in righteous anger. Despite God's initial resolve to punish the nation, Moses interceded on their behalf.

To grasp the significance of God's laws for His chosen people, it helps to peer into the narrative found in Exodus. These commandments were instituted for both their physical protection and spiritual guidance. Similarly, these laws serve to safeguard our hearts today. God, portrayed as El Kanna, desires an exclusive, loving relationship with His people. Deuteronomy 6:5 instructs us to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength," emphasizing the absence of room for idols in our relationship with Him.

Jealousy often invokes negative connotations like insecurity or resentment towards others' achievements. However, when God identifies Himself as a jealous God in Exodus 34:14, it necessitates a different interpretation. The Hebrew term El Kanna, meaning "jealous God," does not denote insecurity but rather God's passionate desire for an exclusive and devoted relationship with His people. His jealousy arises from deep love and commitment, aiming to protect this relationship from any threat, including idolatry and unfaithfulness.

Understanding God as a jealous God means acknowledging His intense desire for our wholehearted devotion. It emphasises the importance He places on our spiritual faithfulness and pure worship. His jealousy safeguards what is sacred and ensures His people remain true to Him alone. While human jealousy is often negative, God's jealousy reflects His perfect love and rightful expectation of our unwavering commitment to Him. It prompts us to honor Him as the sole object of our worship and allegiance, acknowledging His supreme worthiness and our reliance on His grace.

Let's explore the story from Exodus further: God instructed Moses to carve two new stone tablets after he shattered the initial ones. Moses ascended Mount Sinai alone with these tablets, while the people and animals were instructed to remain at a distance. The following morning, Moses followed God's directive, carrying the new tablets up the mountain.

Descending in a cloud, God proclaimed His name and passed before Moses, proclaiming, "The Lord, a God of compassion and mercy, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin. Yet, He will not leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren, to the third and fourth generations."

With Israel on the verge of entering the Promised Land, the name El Kanna—the jealous God—takes on profound significance. God foresaw the severe temptation the Israelites would face: the lure of idolatry. Having delivered them from idolatrous Egypt, He now confronted the idolatry rampant in Canaan. Instructing them to completely expel the Canaanites aimed to safeguard them from succumbing to idolatrous practices. Yet, foreseeing their struggle with obedience, God emphasized the importance of exclusive devotion. His jealousy stemmed not from insecurity but from love and concern for their spiritual well-being.

Deuteronomy 6:17-19 highlights the importance of obediently following God's commands, doing what is right and good in His sight. This obedience promises prosperity and success in the land promised to their ancestors. God's jealousy shows His deep love for us and His desire for our exclusive devotion. When we surrender completely and love Him fervently, we pave the way for His work and blessings in our lives.

El Kanna—Hebrew for "consuming fire" and "jealous God"—emphasizes God's passion and zeal for protecting what is precious to Him. His jealousy drives Him to pursue us relentlessly, despite our imperfections. Unable to attain holiness on our own, God gave us Jesus. Through His sacrifice, Jesus atoned for our sins, enabling us to approach God's holy presence. El Kanna demands an exclusive love relationship with His people, safeguarding us from distractions and idols. As you use this prayer journal, ask God to reveal anything requiring repentance. Has something taken His rightful place in your life?

Understanding God as El Kanna, the jealous God, shapes our prayers and our understanding of His character. It reveals three key insights into His nature:

1. Nature and Character of God: Acknowledging God as El Kanna illuminates His character. Unlike superficial idols, God alone merits our complete devotion. His jealousy reflects not insecurity but rightful ownership as Creator. He desires an exclusive relationship with us, despite our sinfulness, inviting us to realign our affections and acknowledge His sovereignty.
2. Divine Judgment and Justice: God's jealousy underscores His stance on sin and idolatry. While desiring a relationship, He won't tolerate worship of anyone else. He judges those diverting His glory, patient for repentance yet ensuring justice for persistent disobedience.
3. God's Pursuit and Redemption: Despite judgment, God passionately seeks reconciliation. He sent Jesus to endure His wrath, pursuing a relationship and enabling reconciliation through Christ's death. By surrendering and loving fervently, we enable His blessings in life.