Envy is defined as feeling of discontent at the good looks, qualities, fortune, among others, of another person, or an object or a person contemplated with grudging, ill will or hostility towards another. Envy comes from an evil mind against a person without any faulty acts of the subject it is directed to. It is purely an unprovoked anger against a person because he or she possesses a quality lacking in the envious person.
In some cases, envy can lead to fighting between two persons or even war between two countries or more. It can bring about an unnecessary killing of an innocent individual who may not know what is going on in the mind of the hostile person.
It is as a result of ill will that the first murder in the Bible happened as recorded in Gen.4:3-8: “And in process of time, it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. 4. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5. But unto Cain and to his offering he had no respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6. And the Lord said unto Cain, why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7. If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. 8. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.”
The total rejection of Cain’s sacrifice in contrast to total acceptance of Abel’s own led to the envy resulting into killing of innocent Abel. God looks at the heart and the intent of the individual prior to the acceptance of whatever sacrifices he or she makes.
Abel’s offering was a type of Christ, the lamb of God, the most consistent type of the suffering messiah: the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (Jn 1:29).
A lamb, which Abel offered, fitly symbolises the unresisting innocence and harmlessness of the Lord Jesus Christ (Isaiah 53:7). This type of offering is brought into prominence by contrasting with Cain’s bloodless offering of the fruit of the ground and proclaims in the very infancy of the race, the primary truth that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin (Heb.9:22). It is true, Cain acknowledged God as the source of all natural good things, but rejected His revealed way of worship; Abel, in conformity with that revelation brought a blood offering thus confessing himself a sinner. In Cain began all false religion, the essence of which is man coming to God in his own way. When Cain saw the divine rejection of his own way of worship, he, instead of retracing his steps for corrections, resorted to envy and killed his brother Abel.
Most of the unprovoked attacks on individuals and nations, today, are as a result of envy. Terrorism and other avoidable killings and wasting of innocent souls are products of envy. It should be avoided by all for the sake of heaven.
Joseph’s young family became jealous of their younger brother because of the revelation of his seemingly future he shared with them.
Instead of watching to confirm the manifestation of his dreams they took decision to kill him to thwart his bright future. God in power stopped their killing rather they sold him into slavery not knowing they were sending him to where the dreams will come to fulfillment. Genesis 37:5-8 says: “And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. 6. And he said unto them, hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: 7. For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf. 8. And his brethren said to him, shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.” Even though they sold him into slavery on account of envy and wickedness, Joesph was to be their benefactor and saviour in time of need. He prepared the way for their coming to Egypt where there was food at the time famine ravaged the land of Canaan and other kingdoms.
It is rather unfortunate that even in the Christendom, envy persists even to the extent of attempts to hinder the preaching of sound doctrine.
The Jews were envious of our Lord Jesus Christ during His gospel campaign on earth to the extent that they killed him for no just cause. That is why the Bible in Matthew 27:15-26 reports thus: “15. Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. 16. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18. For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy… 20.
But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21. The governor answered and said to them, “which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said: “Barabbas!”
22. Pilate said to them: “what then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ? “They all said to him, “let Him be crucified!” 23. Then the governor said: “why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “let Him be crucified!” 24. When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying: “I am innocent of the blood of this just person. You see to it.” 25. And all the people answered and said: “His blood be on us and on our children.” 26. Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.” NKJV
The Sanhedrin, the Pharisees, the Scribes, and even the religious leaders were all against our Lord Jesus Christ because of His doctrine, followership resulting from His sound gospel, then signs and wonders confirming He is from God.
Even, today, in the Christendom, envy is the order of the day. The scramble for membership has led to conspiracy and jealousy against any ministry perceived to be having an upper hand. Envy, leading to divisions, fighting one another is not of God and of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Christians are working toward one goal of preparing the saints for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Any soul won for the kingdom will be credited to the source. We should be focusing on soul wining and not hostility against anyone. God is watching and every work will be tested at the end of this race. We should desist from envy and focus on soul wining and we will eventually receive our crown at the end in Jesus’ name.
