But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. He prayed to the Lord, “O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee 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. Now, O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” But the Lord replied, “Have you any right to be angry?” Jonah 4:1-4
did jonah not remember what had happened less than a week ago?
the running from God thing?
the storm?
the whale?
the forgiveness?
the grace?
the mercy?
the second chance?
why was jonah angry?
was it because he had preached that the city would be overthrown (with no BUT if you repent message in there) and the city was saved instead?
was it because he looked like a false prophet and his reputation was tarnished?
was it because God didnt act like he thought he would?
was it because he had unrealised expectations?
was it because it was a gentile city not a jewish city?
was it because they were israel’s enemy and jonah wanted them to be judged and not spared?
was it because his understanding of who God is, His character and His priorities was inaccurate?
whatever the reason, jonah is sporting a huge ugly ‘tude!
God asks him a few times “do you have a right to be angry?”
God is dealing with this angry preachers heart.
God is teaching Jonah.
God is transforming Jonah.
God is revealing Himself to Jonah.
God is changing Jonah’s heart.
Jewish tradition says that after God said the words of Jonah 4:11, Jonah then fell on his face and said: “Govern your world according to the measure of mercy, as it is said, To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness.” (Daniel 9:9) We can only hope that Jonah – and we – would have such a humble response. Enduring Word
to be in ministry we must esteem God’s will and His ways above our own.
how often do we lean more on the “teaching them a lesson” over loving them and extending grace.
you know, to “them”. those rebellious people. who need a slap not a hug.
there are times to extend tough love, yes. but other times i think our human nature translates what God is wanting to do incorrectly.
i pray that i would have my heart changed to be more like God’s, slow to anger, rich in love and that i would see people as He sees them.
that my ministry would be an opportunity for God to move, not an obstacle to His presence.
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February 19, 2012 at 12:55 pm
sislynstewart
Claire,
Thanks so much for the reminder on Jonah. He gets a lot of bad press for his ‘tude, but we are so much like him! Instead of seeing the lost or “missing person” as Jesus would, we often judge others through the lens of the old sin nature, like you said.
Lord, may we reflect Your love to a dying world who need Your mercy–
Lookin’ up,
Jean