I was slightly surprised that I filled four pages of my journal writing about today's name of God. El Kanna or El Qanna, whatever way you spell it, isn't a facet of God's character that preachers tend to highlight very often.
And yet, it's found in Exodus 20: 3 - 6, when God is giving the people the ten commandments, reminding them of who He is, and telling them that He will not tolerate idols - that they must not worship any other "gods."
It's found again in Exodus 34: 14, after the golden calf incident. God makes a new covenant with His people and tells them that His very name is El Kanna.
It's mentioned later by the prophet Isaiah, in chapter 42 vs 8, and its outworking is highlighted by things that Jesus Himself said when He was on earth.
So what does this name of God actually mean? We might feel slightly uncomfortable when we discover it means that God calls Himself a "jealous God." Surely jealousy is something selfish and sinful?
Take a peek into my journal today (you can click on the images to make them larger) and reflect with me on this perhaps rather surprising name of God.
Once we can get our thinking around the understanding that El Kanna's "jealousy" is a kind and protective quality, it presents us with some obvious questions about our own lives:
What things clamour for my commitment, time or money?
What occupies my thoughts throughout most of the day or week?
What people or things in my life today would be in danger of capturing more attention and affection than I give to the Lord?
God's name "Elohim" reminds us that He is the supreme God who created us, and He deserves our allegiance. God's name "El Kanna" reminds us that He demands our allegiance largely for our own wellbeing.
