Name of God - El Kanna: Jealous God
El Kanna: Jealous God
Daily Verse: “You must not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the fathers’ sin, to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,”
☆ Exodus 20:5 HCSB
Let's Talk About It: As previously stated, El means God; Lord. Kanna is spelled as such so readers will not be confused on the pronunciation. In the Hebrew Strong’s Dictionary, it is actually spelled Qanna (kan-naw’). The Hebrew meaning, regardless of spelling, is jealous.
This verse is as clear as anyone could make it. We commonly see, in Scripture, that divine wisdom is needed and going deeper by studying and researching that period and customs is necessary to get a clear understanding of what is meant by a verse. Here, God makes sure there is no way of misunderstanding the description He gave about Himself and why.
Through this description, the name itself is also attached a reminder of what you “better not do or else”. The Oxford Dictionary defines jealous as feeling or showing suspicion of someone’s unfaithfulness in a relationship. Knowing who God is, what He has done, and will do, who among us would disagree with why our Father should be kanna?
In Exodus chapter 20, God the Father first reminds His people (children) who He is and what He has done for them. Then, Father God says don’t make things that resemble the things He has created to worship them. Do not give those things credit for anything. DO NOT MAKE AN IDOL FOR YOURSELF. All of this is self explanatory. For He is the Creator of all things, and He is the giver of all good things. To give the credit to something that can not even speak or even have life, is a huge slap to our Father’s face.
Father God even gives a warning and explains how long the punishment will be. Our Father also mentions the reward for obeying and who it is extended to. You will not be the only one rewarded. He says generations after you; you as in “those who love Me and keep My commands” (Exodus 20:6) will as well. Now, that’s great news! How would you feel knowing that your descendants will be shown faithful love from God because of your obedience to Him? If this sounds too good to be true, I would like you to look at the descendants of King David and the huge promise/reward God gave King David.
To put it into perspective, imagine your child becomes well know for an achievement and their achievements, as well as success, is on-going, dependent on your financial support alone. Now imagine the same child going on TV and/or posting on social media thanking his “lucky rabbit’s foot” and giving all the credit for his success to it. How would you feel and react?
We must always remember who our God is. He’s our Heavenly Father. EVERY good thing and good situation are from Him. “Don’t be deceived, my dearly loved brothers. Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning (James 1:16-17 HCSB).”
El Kanna, is a name of God that not only describes a characteristic of the Father, but it is also a reminder that He is God and only He is worthy and deserving of worship and the glory. No other can boast nor take credit for what Abba has done for us. Lastly, remember that old saying, “don’t forget where you come from” and “don’t forget who gave you what you got”. Wise sayings that lasted throughout the generations. - Kevin