Jonah 4
Bible Passage: Jonah 4
I recall a testimony that a brother shared. He put on what were his best clothes, was in good spirits, and left his home for church service. He had walked no less than 5 minutes when a sudden change in weather brought a mini storm. “It was totally out of the blue and very unexpected”, he said. His umbrella got wrecked because of the really strong wind. His entire raiment was soaked through. And out of his anger, he directed some harsh words of anger at God.
But when all was done, he reflected upon his behaviour and felt a deep, deep sense of remorse. During his prayer, he realised that God held everything in His hands. Perhaps the weather was a means to teach him a lesson in patience and longsuffering, qualities that he felt he needed to develop further.
The Day the Worshipper/Worker Became Angry With The Master
It’s a pretty captivating story, that of Jonah the prophet. As we’ve read over the past 3 days, there was plenty of dramatic moments and turn of events.
Chapter 4 today sees the aftermath of the repentance of Nineveh. Jonah did his bit, went into the city, proclaimed the word of the Lord, and subsequently became angry when God relented upon His anger.
This story speaks to our heart in many ways. The clearest of which would be the anger of the prophet. There are a great many things that we might wish to comment upon Jonah’s reaction, but perhaps it is beneficial that we consider him as a reflection of ourselves.
I see the brother’s testimony as something worth sharing because though it is a small and even mundane happening, it really does echo the Jonah syndrome. All of us wish to believe that we’re doing what we deem best for the Lord. But we often forget that God holds everything together, according to His almighty knowledge.
He knows our weaknesses. He knows what areas we His workers need to improve upon. At times, He brings a big fish in our lives to swallow us whole, while on other occasions, He raises a plant only to destroy it as quickly. We feel sorry for ourselves, we feel sorry for the small things that we deem important. But God sees the bigger picture and He feels sorry for the many other sinners too.
The next time we become the elder son and become angry when any younger, prodigal sons of God return home, we must remember Jonah. He was an Old Testament “elder son” and was angry with God. He couldn’t understand why God would forgive a city as cruel as Nineveh, and sometimes we cannot understand why God would forgive others or allow certain things to be done. Nevertheless, as God was patient with Jonah’s petulance, He will also be patient with His workers today and train us up to be complete in His eyes.
Jonah’s story closes abruptly with God’s question to us all. Lest we think we’re the only righteous ones, let’s not forget that God sees more clearly the hearts of all His other faithful worshippers.
2 Comments
biblereadingcompanion
This is a powerful reminder for myself today. I woke up this morning and I got a wee bit angry because something was not done by someone. Ok.. not just a little bit angry but also felt a sense of righteous anger.
Then I read today’s passage and the words of God in Jonah 4:4 and 4:9 kept on ‘haunting’ me.
Jonah 4:4
But the LORD replied, “Have you any right to be angry?” (NIV)
The LORD replied, “Is it right for you to be angry about this?” (NLT)
The LORD said, “Do you have good reason to be angry?” (NASB)
And just as I was pondering over these words and wonder if I was being to self righteous, the thing that was not done was completed. So all my unhappiness and discontent disappeared.
What belovedoftheLord has reminded is very true. Many a times I get unhappy or angry about the way things are done or not done. Or the way people are treated or not treated. Or about the things that are said or not said.
In my self-righteous mind, I think that these people should know better. And they should do more. And they should be ….. you get the picture. It is always…. “they…. they… they…. they…..”
But what I am trying to say is this… when we are angry about things… sometimes we fail to consider others and only consider ourselves and how we are affected and impacted by things.
But God knows the hearts and minds of us all. He knows and sees the bigger picture.
And I only pray and hope that I can continue to be part of His plan. And yes… I do not want to be a Jonah…. 🙂
PS
(i have an “Anger Management” course under Lord Jesus too. The experience was one that i’ll remember for life.)
Was Jonah angry bec God relented and spared the Ninevites? May be Jonah was angry bec God made him went on the trip which he thought as a superfluous (Jonah 4:2). It might skip Jonah’s mind that “however shall they hear without a preacher?” (Rom 10:14) The Ninevites could not repent and cry out to God if he had not proclaimed God’s message.
Seriously Jonah should rejoice that his words were heeded and the God whom he worshipped was indeed a merciful God.
The book of Jonah is an open-end passage, waiting for “Jonahs” to carry on the story.
Jonah, being an Israelite, knew that only those circumcised were within the covenant of God. Those not were outside the salvation. After Jonah 4:11, Jonah might have returned to Nineveh and preached circumcision and the name of the Lord, so that they could call on the name of the LORD and be truly saved (Rom 10;14). Jonah might have done so.
Now the commission is upon us.
Are we preaching the gospel of life?
Or are we sitting in the shelter waiting to watch a show?
(i like Jonah 4:2. It recorded explicitly that Jonah prayed to the LORD. Prayer is a serious and conscious act. The relationship between Jonah and God must be very very close for Jonah to do such. in addition, God looks at the hearts. God knew that Jonah was angry bec he had pity on the plant. God used the opportunity to share His heart with Jonah. This relationship between God and His prophet is worthy of our reflection.)