Proverbs 27:4
ESV - 4 Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?
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I humbly submit for your consideration that the first two words wrath and anger are somewhat contained or expressed within a certain period of what we refer to as time. (Ecclesiastes 3:1; Ecclesiastes 3:8) WRATH: Belligerence aroused by a real or supposed wrong. 2. Intense anger ANGER: Belligerence aroused by a real or supposed wrong. 2. State of being angry The third is not contained or bound by time thus growing into a much greater threat. JEALOUSY: 1. Zealous vigilance. 2. A feeling of jealous envy. ZEALOUS: Marked by active interest and enthusiasm. VIGILANCE: 1. Vigilant attentiveness. 2. Process of paying close and continuous attention. Bottom Line: While wrath and anger can burn white hot and express much damage and even death in the extreme; it's life span is normally contained within a certain defined time period. It normally burns out with the passage of time as one returns to their better nature? Jealousy on the other hand is a slow cooking crock pot of woe that's been planted and is simmering; thus an unknown for the poor soul who will be on the receiving end. A generally unknown from the past; that travels to the present; to disrupt the future. An example would be a pressure plate release IED [improvised explosive device] that's set to say 1000 pounds. Others pasted over or even stepped on it with not a problem; that is until an unlucky soul triggers the point of it's unknown preset. Similar in a way to some people the pressure plate keeps a running tally or score of those who have stepped on it; all for a later very unpleasant pay out. (1 Corinthians 3:3) In the Lord's Freedom and grace.....warrior on
I think that the idea being expressed here is similar to the thought of other verses in Proverbs (for instance, Proverbs 6:34-35) that speak of the intensified degree of rage that occurs when mere wrath or anger is mixed with jealousy (such as in connection with a husband's reaction to another man committing adultery with his wife), to the point where the injured person will accept no form of apology or compensation, and will show no mercy in response.
Wow! Jealousy is a problem for many. Growing up, I never felt a jealous thought towards anyone for any reason, but as an adult male I was blessed with exceptional good looks. I was amazingly and quite slowly made aware that other males treated me with much jealousy because of the attraction of the females in many work and social environmental settings. Later in life, I finally experienced the temptation of jealousy; there was a contractor in our huge church that was very successful, where as I was not. I knew that his ethics were some what dubious, but never told anyone, even when experiencing it personally first hand. Then at a later date I found out that I had been slandered by this other contractor without knowledge for a long time. Needless to say, once you have been slandered in your realm of fellowship, the sting of that slander perpetuates.The damage is permanent. What got me through it all was the suffering of our Lord from the Pharisees and Sadducees and the jealousy of King Saul of David before he aspired to kingship. I realized that through my suffering of slander and temptation to be jealous of someone else's success was checked by and through the biblical teachings and historical events of the bible. The word of God truly is a healing balm unto all our triune parts: body, soul (mind, will and emotions,) and spirit. Jealousy unchecked can lead to slander, false testimony, violence, and even murder. With the Lord's teaching, I checked the many temptations for revenge and committing acts motivated by jealousy. Vengeance is mine, sayeth the Lord. I will repay. Later, when this person fell off a ladder and broke his back, I was faithful to visit him in the hospital and pray for him and the Lord intervened and healed him miraculously, with the help of man of coarse. You are always rewarded for not giving into the flesh and rising above temptation through the help of the Holy Spirit and the word of God.
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