The Bible likens jealousy to a weapon. Lives are spared when this weapon rests in the bosom of someone with righteous motives. Yet, when the foolish wield this weapon, jealousy leads to destructive outcomes. The very thing that the Lord possesses to protect His people, His land, and His name, can push the ungodly men into an uncontrollable rage. God’s jealousy protects the righteous and consumes the guilty. Yet, the jealousy of an unrighteous man has consumed the lives of many innocent people. The Bible states that “jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame” (Song of Solomon 8:6). Misplaced jealousy is a most dangerous weapon.
The context of our passage speaks of judgment against Jerusalem and Judah. In this judgment the Lord vowed to remove much of the strength of the land. He promised to remove the mighty man and the man of war, the judge and the prophet, the honourable man and the counseller. The removal of these people would certainly weaken any city, town, or nation. Yet, it is in the midst of this list that the Lord included the prudent. Apparently, the prudent are the strength of any people just as much as their great warriors and judges. When all things are considered, this makes perfect sense. Those who are prudent make decisions that stabilize any people and provide future stability as well.
