3-22-16 by: Pastor JR
After studying the book of Jonah I could not help but scratch my head and ask,
“Jonah, whats with all the DRAMA!”
I understand most people like to key on the craziest part of this book and that’s obviously the fact that Jonah was swallowed whole by a giant fish and three days later being thrown up on to dry land when he tried to run from God.
For me though, my question was… why did Jonah take off so fast after God told him to go to Nineveh? And why was he so angry when God Forgave them? The answer to the beginning is found in the end of this book.
Jonah 4:1 “But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. 2 He prayed to theLord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. 3 Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.”4 But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?”
Jonah was furious in the fact that Nineveh REPENTED and GOD’s ANGER RELENTED! He was literally upset because he knew that God was full of grace and compassion for the lost.
As Christians we are called to BE LIKE CHRIST not the opposite of Him. If he is slow to and anger and quick to love then I need to be slow to anger and quick to love. If God’s desires is for no one to perish and for all to come to repentance, then my desire should match His!
Jonah obviously did not agree. He would have rather Nineveh burn to the ground in their rebellion then be forgiven. Are we any different? Do we wish for God to just DESTROY the rebellious nations or do we pray for them in hopes that they to would repent.
Take Home Thoughts:
1. When life is all about you it can’t be about God.
2. We serve a God of SECOND CHANCES. (ex: Jonah & Nineveh)