Studies in Jonah

Jonah 05

TAKING ISSUE WITH GOD

Jonah Chap 4 v1-11

Jonah 05

INTRODUCTIONChapter 4 is a very perplexing passage. God had brought Jonah to a place of obedience. His ministry had been successful - a spiritual revival had taken place.

But instead of dancing round the city Jonah is sulks in the desert andcontemplates euthanasia.

He had seen God at work BUT did not like what he saw. He is angry with God for being merciful.

TWO REASONS FOR JONAH'S ANGER

Without excusing Jonah, what might have influenced his behaviour? Mental, physical and spiritual exhaustion. He’d been on the run, caught up in an violent storm, entombed for hours in darkness, undergone a traumatic Repentance, made a long journey to Nineveh and preached his heart out. Sheer exhaustion can reduce our sensitivity towards God.

Elijah, Jeremiah and John the Baptist all experienced it. They too madeirrational responses.

TWO REASONS FOR JONAH'S ANGERWe must not hastily judge people’s angry responses towards God. E.g. In bereavement people’s emotions are in turmoil. They can say things about God that they later regret. Their most immediate need is not closely reasoned theological argument but rest and an opportunity to recharge their drained batteries. This alone can radically alter their attitude.

Recognising this, God caused a protective gourd to grow, providing Jonah with shelter from the heat of the sun.

God understood Jonah's need.

TWO REASONS FOR JONAH'S ANGERHowever the real cause of Jonah’s anger, was more deep-seated cf. 3.10 with 4.2. He didn't want God to be merciful to Nineveh. God’s mercy brought Jonah’s prejudice to the surface.

Jonah wanted Israel to remain the sole beneficiary of God's blessing. He didn't want the reputation of being the man through whom God blessed the Assyrians. He foolishly thought he could tell God how to behave. God perceptively asks'have you any right to be angry?’ v4

TWO REASONS FOR JONAH'S ANGERAre we like Jonah? In theory we admit that God's ways are higher than ours and all authority belongs to him but in practice do we get upset with God when he does not act as we think he ought? Do we think, “How can God have plans that we haven't approved”. Some Christians would rather see God’s work come to a halt than see it change in a direction that does not suit them.

And some really do not want to see God's transforming power at work in certain situations!

THE RESULTS OF JONAH'S ANGERNote the pattern of Jonah’s spiritual regression. His anger paved the way for the regrouping and advance of the rebel self. That resulted in Jonah again becoming self assertive and independent. His self-life is now invigorated. In v2 Jonah tries to justify his earlier disobedience. He is driven more by self-interest than concern for God's glory

Instead of remaining to teach and strengthen the penitent Ninevites, he leaves his post to becomes a mere spectator.

THE RESULTS OF JONAH'S ANGERMany Christians after a significant spiritual victory, hear the whimpering voice of self, cries out for attention. They think, ‘how can such an insignificant little thing offer any real threat to my fruitful life and service’. And so they surround self with cushions to ensure its comfort. Slowly this ‘harmless little thing’ takes over. Instead of being put to death, self is living like a prince in the penthouse suite of their lives.

Jonah became so preoccupied in the service of self that he forget that he belonged to another.

THE RESULTS OF JONAH'S ANGERHow is it possible after such a significant spiritual crisis, within the great fish for Jonah to go back to square 1 spiritually speaking?

Did he allow his experience to foster complacency? “I’ve learned my lesson and won’t let God down again” Crisis spiritual experiences are no guarantee of safety. We dare not drop our guard.

Paul writes, "I die daily". Jonah failed to say 'no' to self on a daily basis.

REHABIILITATION OF THE PROPHETIn chap 1 God’s used a set of circumstances to bring Jonah to his spiritual senses - the storm and fish convinced Jonah of his rebellion and of God's sovereign power and absolute holiness. God’s providences are always shaped to meet the immediate need.

Here God uses a plant, a worm and a wind to engage Jonah as an unconscious actor in a real life parable. Again Jonah finds himself caught in the vice between his self-will and God’s providences.

God turns the screw in order to rehabilitate his man.

REHABIILITATION OF THE PROPHETGod provided a quick growing plant to shelter the prophet from the searing heat. Jonah became very attached to this plant v6 his only companion. Perhaps he talked to it! He awoke one morning to find it dead, its roots eaten by a worm. This was the last straw. He was furious. How could God allow the destruction of what he had come to value? When God questions Jonah about his anger, he responds, "I'm angry enough to die, that's how badly I feel about having my precious plant taken from me".

REHABIILITATION OF THE PROPHETJonah’s answer sets him up for the sting in the tail of God's parable cf v10... How could Jonah love a plant more than 1000's of innocent children? How could he be enraged at the destruction of a plant but unmoved at the thought of the destruction of 1000's of people. God asks a searching question:“If you are angry enough to die because your pet plant is dead, should you not be prepared to live for these people in Nineveh who need you”?

REHABIILITATION OF THE PROPHETThis parable raises important questions for us. Do we care more about our gardens, our cars, homes, pets and all our little comforts than we do about advancing Christ’s kingdom? Of course we are not all prophets like Jonah. However, all Christians are called to be involved in the mission of Christ's church. Are we angry like Jonah that God should impose such a burden on us? We need to face this question seriously.

CONCLUSIONAre you disappointed that there is no clear ending to this story? We don't know what effect the parable had on Jonah. Perhaps the ending is purposefully omitted in order to challenge us. Will we go in the huff with God because he won't do things our way and so live on the outskirts of his work? Will we remain spectators, withdrawing our involvement from what God is doing?

Only we can write our own ending but we do so in the knowledge that whatever we write will shape our destiny.