1. But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry.
2 He prayed to the Lord, '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?”
We find Jonah greatly displeased. He tells the Lord why he is angry. He shows his character in doing so. The first reason is that he didn’t get his own way. The Lord asks him what do you have to be angry about?
That is a rhetorical question not really meant to be answered, but to reflect over the things he had just said. Can a man who has been the recipient of divine mercy, grace, love and patience, withhold these blessings from others? He is upset because he wanted the Lord to destroy them and He didn’t. Jonah has no room to talk or feel what way for he was dealt with in mercy. God forgave him. Jonah pouts because he doesn’t like what he had to do, but did it anyway out of obedience.
It is also true that some people have a wonderful relationship with God, but not with others. Some Christians don’t want to get involved with other people, but faith is to be shared, not kept. We are to encourage one another in our good work. We need to beware of sin and help a brother or sister who falls into sin or doubt. Like one quote says, “Don’t keep the faith - share it.”
Many people may be obedient, but not happy. Happiness may not result from obedience. When parents instruct their children to be obedient, they may comply, but not be happy about cleaning their room, taking out the garbage or doing their chores. When a boss wants us to do a job, we may not like it, but if we want to keep the job we obey. The route to obedience with Christ does not always bring feelings of happiness. When all the disciples were killed, there was a joy to be counted as a martyr for Christ in love, but suffering was not a happy time. Glorification came later.
Jonah responded in anger. It has been said: “Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.” Jonah didn’t like the way things turned out. He was trying to justify his disobedience before God. He tries to show God how smart and right he was. “See Lord, I told you I knew all along that this was going to happen. I knew that You are forgiving and merciful and loving. I hate God’s enemies with a perfect hatred why can’t you do as much.?”
If you look at the prayer of Jonah it can easily be analyzed as to where his mind was. “I , Me, My in two verses . (KJV). Self-centered. He did get his theology is right. It is taken from the same description in Ex 34:6 “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.”
God is gracious. Grace is a word commonly used. People have received mercy by not getting what they deserved, but as we reflect on our own lives and we need to realize how often we have been the recipients of mercy. The greatest present of all is God Himself. That is matchless to any other present. The Bible says God is slow to anger. Ephesians 4 tells us to be slow to anger. “Be angry but sin not.” (4:26 ) Even if you have been patient, moral and seeking to do right, you might find injustice and blasphemy. Yes, there is a place for righteous anger. We do need to correct our children in love. We do need to confront sin and not sweep it under the rug. God becomes our example, desirous to give people an opportunity to repent. What delays Christ coming? What is it taking so long for Him to return? We know that when He returns all opportunity for salvation will come to an end. He is patient, not willing that any should perish.
Has God given you warnings? Are there things in your life that don’t belong? Just how long do you think God will let you keep playing with sin? God abounds in keeping His part of the covenant relationship in showing His love and forgiveness.
Jonah prayed, “Lord, I might as well die. Woe is me.” Jonah knew all about God. He perfectly understood His character. He aptly presented the message just as God told him to do, but what change was there that was lasting for Jonah?
Jonah had the problem of living in the present and quickly forgot God’s own mercy to him.
Dale
