Idolatry is only Jealousy

 Shemos Rabbah (30:21) When Israel disregarded Thou shalt have no other gods before Me, He forgave them, for in idolatry there is only jealousy, as it says, They roused Him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations did they provoke Him  and it also says, Thus they exchanged their glory for the likeness of an ox. When Israel, however, sinned in Shittim with immorality, twenty-four thousand of them fell What benefit does Israel have from worshipping idols, that neither see, hear, nor speak, as it says, They that make them shall be like unto them? But for immorality, which is a tangible sin, they were punished. For idolatry, therefore, were they forgiven,