As believers, we should be more concerned about the lost coming to Christ than we are about our own comfort. Despite the fact that God has commanded us to reach out to everyone, we only desire to do so with individuals who are similar to us. So we just don’t even bother to reach out to people. We disobey our God and disregard our calling.
The book of Jonah reminds us of the God’s love and grace. Jonah was a prophet, and despite the fact that he disobeyed God in many ways, God nonetheless gave him unending love and compassion, leading to his forgiveness. Jonah was also shown mercy and forgiveness by God by how God interacted with others.
Jonah was a rebellious prophet who hated God for loving his enemies. Even though Nineveh, his enemy, merited God’s wrath, God nevertheless wanted to demonstrate mercy to them.
This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. 2 So he complained to the Lord about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. 3 Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.”
Jonah 4:1-3 NLT
What if God treated Jonah the way he wanted God to treat Nineveh? Jonah himself pleaded for God’s mercy, and when it was shown to him, he relished it. He now finds it offensive when it is given to other people.
Then the Lord said, “Is it right for you to be angry?”
Jonah 4:4 NKJV
God often asks us questions to reveal our hearts. Additionally, it places us on solid ground in God’s eyes because He has every right to question us and expects us to provide responses.
5 So Jonah went out of the city and sat on the east side of the city. There he made himself a shelter and sat under it in the shade, till he might see what would become of the city. 6 And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant. 7 But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered. 8 And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.”
Jonah 4:5-8 NKJV
Jonah was pleased because at last, God was finally doing something for Jonah.
Jonah’s happiness was just as fleshly as his anger. Both were about self.
9 Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” And he said, “It is right for me to be angry, even to death!” 10 But the Lord said, “You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. 11 And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left—and much livestock?”
Jonah 4:9-11 NKJV
Even though the plant was just a plant Jonah had no personal interest or investment in the plant except for what it provided for him at that moment.
God’s response to Jonah showed the prophet that he didn’t really know God as well as he thought he did. What further reason is there for God to be concerned about the annihilation of humanity, especially those who bear His image?
In this chapter, there are three mistakes that angry people frequently make which were committed by Jonah. Instead of making Jonah’s situation better, each of these things made it worse.
3 incorrect responses when angry with God
- Jonah’s first mistake: He quit serving God and others. Let’s remember to stay committed to our faith and continue serving others, even when life gets tough.
- Jonah separated himself from others. Community and support are essential during difficult times. Let’s not isolate ourselves but lean on our faith family for strength.
- Jonah became a spectator. Instead of engaging with God, he watched from the sidelines. Let’s actively seek God, pray, and stay connected with Him, even when we’re struggling.
Let’s strive to respond differently when we face anger or challenges in our faith journey.
