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Commentary on "Jealousy"
Day 7: Friday, March 4, 2011 - Further Study
Overview
The core of today’s lesson is centered the writings of Ellen White taken from Early Writings, p. 145 and Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 650. While there is much that could be said in response to the lesson discussion questions, we will restrict our commentary to the written statements of Ellen White.
Each of the headings in our commentary for today is an extract taken from these two lesson quotes.
Observations
Statement that contradict scripture or are simply not stated in the bible:
”Satan was once an honored angel in heaven, next to Christ”
According to John 1:1-3 “all things” were made by Jesus and that he always existed from the beginning of time and is why he rightfully declares himself as the “Alpha and the Omega” in Rev. 1:8. Satan, along with all the other angels, both good and bad, were created beings. Therefore, Satan could never have been or hope to have been equal with Jesus. Since Jesus always existed it is heresy to suggest that he was ever a co-equal on the same level as someone who was created.
”His forehead was high and broad, showing great intelligence.”
Satan is the chief of the evil spirits or demons which means he inhabits a spiritual realm, not the physical. That is why evil spirits are called ‘spirits’. As such, he is without physical form or attributes. Therefore, it is pure nonsense to attribute his intelligence to physical form he does not naturally possess. Such a statement as this exposes Ellen’s acceptance of the precepts of the nineteenth century notion of phrenology.
“But when God said to His Son, ‘Let us make man in our image,’ Satan was jealous of Jesus.”
The creation account found in Genesis does not detail conditions or sequence of events relating to creation of the angelic beings. We only know that all things were created by Jesus. This quote is more extra-biblical speculation of what the bible does not say.
“One great defect in the character of Saul was his love of approbation.”
No, this is not true. Saul’s one great defect was that he simply could not bring himself to believe and obey God. See 1 Samuel chapter 15.
Summary
- It is without question that misplaced jealousy can be a very destructive emotion. Yet, it is not appropriate to focus on a person’s jealousy without first considering what the source of that jealousy is. The non-biblical statements of Ellen White serve to sidetrack us from considering if a person’s jealousy is rooted in sin or not.
- If we are not faithful in our worship of God he will be jealous. When one marriage partner is unfaithful the other partner there is good reason for jealousy. When children rebel against their parents without just cause the parents have every reason to experience jealousy. The apostle Paul experienced jealousy because most of his fellow Jews had rejected the gospel message of Jesus Christ. In each case cited, it is appropriate and just to experience the emotion of jealousy. Yet, even when it is just there are cautions for those of us who have ever sinned.
- The question should be what are we do when we feel our jealousy is founded upon something that is right and just? Since our jealousy is usually associated with anger the instructions found in Eph. 4:25-28 provide us with a good guideline to follow. Along with your anger, resolve things before nightfall. Examine yourself to see if there is any sin in your own life that contributed to your jealousy. Then, repent of any of your sins that the Lord has revealed to you. Most importantly, humbly place it all before the Lord because he is the one who can see clearly beyond your emotions.
Copyright 2011 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised February 16, 2011. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.
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