But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?” Jonah 4:4
Jonah runs away. | WATCH ON YOUTUBE
God told Jonah to prophesy to Nineveh. He instead ran away from God, in a ship bound for Tarshish. God sent a violent storm that threatened the ship. On casting lots the terrified sailors discover that Jonah was the reason for the storm. Jonah accepted his fault and told them to throw him into the sea for it to calm down. But thankfully, God was not done with Jonah. He sent a big fish to swallow Jonah and he remained in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights.
A repentant Jonah prayed to the Lord from the belly of the big fish. The fish threw Jonah out on to the shore. The Lord commanded Jonah again to go to Nineveh and proclaim that Nineveh would be overthrown in forty days. This time, Jonah obeyed the Lord.
The king of Nineveh and his people repented and turned to God. God relented and did not send the destruction that He had threatened. This strangely, made Jonah angry. Jonah was angry at God’s compassion. Jonah himself enjoyed the mercy of God. And yet, Jonah had a problem when God extended mercy to Nineveh, whom he preached to. What if God treated him the way Jonah wanted God to treat Nineveh?
Jonathan Swift so rightly captured Jonah’s heart:
We are God’s chosen few,
All others will be damned;
There is no place in heaven for you,
We can’t have heaven crammed.
Is there a selfish, self-righteous Jonah spirit in you?
Lord, forgive me when I resent your grace upon another needy soul just like me, I pray.
Extended Reading — Jonah 1-4
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