Envy was the first sin to intrude its mysterious presence into a sinless universe. (Is14:13-14) Had it made its debut with a sudden outbreak of violence, the nature of the passion would immediately have been apparent to the angels, so that few would have turned from their allegiance to sympathize with so obvious an evil.
But the dark scheming of persistent jealousy puzzled all the heavenly beings, and deceived many. God could successfully meet the sinister invasion only by the unhurried working out of righteousness and truth until the climax of both selfless love and jealous hate would bring into clear contrast the goodness of God and the cruel malignity of Satan. (Ellen White)