The Abrahamic God is depicted as being jealous and vengeful in the sequential books of the faiths...?

Question

However, today the God concept in Abrahamic religions is often one of a truly loving and benevolent being.

When did this God become associated with love and benevolence? Has this always been the case?

Was it the arrival of Jesus into the mix?

Answer 1

All Gods were jealous and vengeful at the times of Abraham. Gods are refined and modernized gradually.
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Answer 2

I assume you are referring to The Old and the New testament.
In the Old Testament, God is in a relationship with Ancient Isreal. There is a constant struggle of Isreal trying to achieve a perfection in the relationship. They are constantly failing, betraying and disrespecting their Creator. God has not established any relationship with any other poeple at this point. We see this to be historically true as there are no other cultures that have a monotheistic belief before this point. God sees a need for a Savior for his people and as well as a Savior for all people and then sends a part of himself down to earth to live as a man, in a perfect life and take on all the sins of everyone as his own, and then his human life is sacrificed in order to save mankind. This is the love and benevolence you speak of. The Jealousy in the old Testament comes from a relationship being betrayed and God being disappointed. You should read the Bible and you will learn all about this stuff.

Answer 3

Because before Jesus came, there was no eternal sacrifice to be at peace with God, only animal sacrifices that didn't last very long. When God established the Day of Atonement, the High Priest could atone the sins of the people of Israel for a whole year. But still this wasn't enough, and people kept committing sins and there wasn't a fitting sacrifice that could take them all away.

That is why God is depicted as a vengeful and jealous God, because He was angry at us. But then when Jesus came, He washed away all the sins of humanity forever, so that when we believe in Jesus, we are no more sinners in the eyes of God and we are right with God, and therefore God is pleased.

Jesus, God Himself, died for all of us, whether you accept it or not.

Answer 4

God has always been a loving God, he does not change, but he is also just and must punish sin. He is jealous for the love of his people, his creation. Much like a husband would be jealous if his wife were to stray and give her affections to another. He is not vengeful but he will defend his chosen people. He will also punish sin and allow Satan to have his way with those who choose to follow him and have turned away from God. However, he is a good God, a loving father who came to show himself to us in the person of Jesus Christ. He freely offers love, forgiveness, freedom and an eternal relationship with him to all that will make him Savior and Lord.

Answer 5

I could be wrong, but I wonder if the bible became more about a "benevolent, loving god" after the Protestant Reformation and greater religious freedom, though early Medieval art also showed Jesus in a benevolent light. Part of this change is associated with culture: Threats of hellfire and government control could no longer force people to convert in the same numbers as before. Religion had to be attractive to people if they were going to become members.Look at Christianity today. Despite the "us vs. them" hellfire mentality, most Christians try to win over others by claiming that jesus loves them or that they can somehow redeem themselves and change their life, the shiny part of an advertising packet.

P.S. As to the scenarios below: There is no evidence for the "Dad" or any form of creator whatsoever. And assuming that god is omnipotent, omnipresent, and all-powerful, it does not lose anything to help its creations, or to anticipate their actions. Imagine a father who never personally contacts his kids or provides evidence that he even exists, then in his "love" lets the kids fall into a trap that results in eternal death and torture. (Genesis). Then he kills one of his sons to redeem everyone else, though everyone knows that for a god all-powerful, it can do anything without torturing or murdering its offspring, or allowing others to do so. Now do you see how ludicrous religion is?

Answer 6

The idea of the Abrahamic God developed with the progress of the cultures through which it passed. In the beginning, He was the typical tribal war god of nomadic savages, His attributes borrowed from the Canaanite father-god El. Eventually He was sophisticated into the mystic IHVH of the "classical" Hebrews. Then the Christians hijacked the tradition and added a lot of pagan bells and whistles; and finally Mohammed came along and reinvented Him yet again.

Naturally with the advance of civilization, His barbaric and warlike attributes were softened and He became more compassionate and forgiving - at least on the surface. Christianity is in some respects a reflection of that.

Answer 7

In deuteronomy 6:5 the great commandment to love God is given. Abrahams faith was powered by love. Jesus was not only a redeeming savior but a groom for a wedding. The believers in Christ are a spiritual bride for Him. To honor this engagement He has given His Holy Spirit to dwell within us.Since His Father is love it stands to reason that HIs Spirit of love indwells believers. We are a tabernacle to hold His Spirit. He will return to get His bride.

Answer 8

If you actually read the Bible from the beginning you will get the whole picture of who HE is both a loving father but also a wish and just father as well. Even now sometimes we are tried in the "fire" to refine us like gold or put under pressure like coal to become like diamonds. I am grateful for the refining, personally but I also am very aware of God's constant care and love which HE also shows me on a regular basis.
Try reading the whole Bible to get the full picture.

Answer 9

The first God you spoke of was prior to the Crucifixion of Christ and that's why there were so many rules and consequences but with the birth of Jesus and his subsequent death God became more forgiving as Jesus was the sacrificial lamb of the world for our sins. All this is in the New Testament. "Blessed is He who taketh away the sins of the world."

Answer 10

Picture this:
You give up something very valuable to get the women you love out of slavery and bondage. But she rejects you for someone else.
Another scenario:
you raise your children. You clothe them, rear them, feed them. All their growing years, they call you dad. You trained them in business and finances, get their businesses and become prosperous.
When people ask them where they arrived to the success, they point to another man, and credit him as their father.
How would you feel in either case?
In the last case, as a father, I would always love my children unconditionally, but I would be jealous on why they call another Dad.
Now do you see where God stands?