These posts will resume on January 2, 2018 and we pray you will rejoin us at that time.
BECAUSE OF ENVY
The dictionary defines envy as “a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else’s possessions, qualities, or luck”. My Bible concordance defines envy as “discontent or resentment because of another’s success, advantages, or superiority”.
Envy was present almost from the beginning of the world. When Cain and Abel brought offerings to God, Abel’s sacrifice was more respected than that of Cain’s. Scripture says, “And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell” (Genesis 4:5 NKJ). This incident was brought about by Cain wanting the recognition Abel received from God. The result was murder.
Joseph’s brothers had a bad case of envy. “Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him” (Genesis 37:3-4). Envy often leads to harsh words, anger, and hatred. In this case, envy caused Joseph’s brothers to sell him into slavery and then lie to their father.
One of the saddest examples of envy found in the entire Bible is found in Matthew 27. Pilate stood with Jesus before a mob, wondering what he would do with this man who had done nothing more than heal the sick, raise the dead, and teach about the God of heaven to anyone who would listen.
The custom was to release a prisoner at the feast. Pilate gave the people a choice–release Jesus or a notorious thief and murderer named Barabbas. The people’s choice was, of course, Barabbas. But the interesting thing was that Pilate knew why they didn’t choose Jesus. “For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy” (Matthew 27:18).
Why were they envious? It certainly wasn’t His possessions, because He didn’t have any. It wasn’t because of His looks, because there was nothing special about His appearance. It wasn’t His position, because He was “just a man.”
First, the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes saw how the people followed Jesus. They had watched for three years how the crowds gathered around Him in Galilee and Judea. The Pharisees, in particular, yearned for that kind of attention.
Second, they saw the influence Jesus had over the people. He often made the rulers look ridiculous and put them in situations where they could not explain the questions they asked Him or their behavior.
Third, they were amazed but envious of His powers. Feeding 5,000, feeding 4,000, healing, raising the dead, calming the sea, and walking on the water were certainly things they were incapable of doing. His success and popularity would have caused them to want Him dead.
Fourth, He rebuked all of them at one time or another. He embarrassed them more than once. He knew the law, something they should have known. They misused the law, and Jesus did not let that go unnoticed.
Jesus also showed how His coming would change the law. Reading through the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, 6, and 7 shows how things would change. Being angry with your brother could put you in danger of hell; looking on a woman and lusting after her would be considered adultery in the heart; the reasons allowable for divorce; feelings about your enemies; prayer. These are just a few of the things that would change.
Fifth, many saw Him as a future king, the hope of deliverance from Rome. The rulers saw Him not as a deliverer but as a threat to their position and power.
Sixth, as if all these were not enough, He claimed to be the Son of God.
And so, for envy, the people cried out, “Let him be crucified” (Matthew 27:22 KJV).
I think Paul’s instructions to the young man Titus sums up God’s feelings about envy. He said in Titus 3:1-9, “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless” (ESV).
Sandra Oliver