Several weeks ago we had a study on a Scripture passage from the Book of Jonah where we looked at his prayer while within the belly of the giant fish or whale which had swallowed him. Today the Lectionary for this week takes us back to the Book of Jonah where we’ll see the rest of the story. Let’s see what happened with the prophet’s ministry.
Prior to the start of our Scripture passage, the giant fish had spat Jonah out onto the beach. Having a giant fish swallow him whole sure got his attention, and he knew that he had better obey what God had told him to do, which was go and preach His message to the city of Nineveh. In the third chapter of Jonah we are told that the prophet went throughout the city, preaching that the people needed to repent and turn to the Lord or else He would destroy them. Jonah’s message reached into their hearts. The city, from the highest to the lowest, turned to Yahweh in repentance. This is where our Scripture picks up.
Jonah’s message to the people had been a warning from God, that if they didn’t repent and turn from their wickedness, God would bring His judgment upon them. The people did repent, and God saw this (vs. 3:10). Because the people changed their attitude towards the Lord, He changed His dealings with Nineveh. He spared them, and did not destroy the city. When sinners repent, God may withhold threatened judgment. He responds with mercy, according to His holy character. This repentance was genuine. Their actions demonstrated that their hearts had changed. True repentance is not merely feeling sorry. It involves having sorrow over our sins, turning from those sins, and turning towards God, which is what the Ninevites did.
What do you think was Jonah’s response to the repentance of the Ninevites? Was he happy? Did he praise the Lord for their conversion? I’m sorry to say he did not. The fact that the Lord saw their repentance and spared them His righteous judgment displeased Jonah (vs. 1). Jonah had so much hate in his heart for the Assyrians. The Assyrian empire was a violent and cruel nation, and one who had attacked the northern kingdom of Israel numerous times. They were enemies of his people, and he had allowed great hatred of them to grow in his heart, which was why he had initially refused to go and preach to them.
Jonah wanted justice, but God showed mercy which angered the prophet (vs. 2-3) He wanted to see them destroyed! Jonah knew God’s mercy, His patience, and loving kindness. He knew the Scriptures, and even quoted Exodus 34:6 back to God. Jonah’s doctrine was excellent, but his heart was not. People may have correct theology and orthodox belief, but fail to love others. God wants us to have both, correct doctrine and love for others. Jonah’s bitterness and hatred had gripped his heart so deeply that he actually would rather die than see Nineveh spared!
God responded by asking Jonah if he was right in being so angry (vs. 4). He wanted the prophet to examine his heart, and see if his anger was justified. Jonah felt it was, and actually went and sat on a hillside outside of the city (vs. 5). He wanted a ringside seat to watch the city go up in smoke. He didn’t want to miss a bit of what his heart so desired.
As Jonah sat in the sun waiting for the destruction of Nineveh, God prepared a plant to quickly grow and bring shade for him (vs. 6). That made Jonah happy. A city’s salvation did not make him happy, but the shade of a plant did. This reveals a misplaced value system. However, God was not through. The plant and what was to follow was to be an object lesson for Jonah. God prepared a worm to eat away at the plant so that it died (vs. 7). The God who gave the blessing removed the blessing. Sometimes God removes comforts to expose our hearts. Then God sent a scorching wind to make Jonah hot and miserable and he wanted to die again (vs. 8). The loss of temporary comfort completely overwhelmed him, revealing his spiritual immaturity.
Again, God asked Jonah if he was right in being angry, and again the prophet said he was (vs. 9). How easy it is to recognize the sins of Nineveh while excusing our own sinful attitudes. Jonah could see Nineveh’s wickedness, but would not see his own. Jonah cared deeply about a plant he did not create and which lasted only a day, yet he had little concern for the souls of people he hated. Jonah valued a plant, but God values people (vs. 10).
Verse 11 is one of the greatest statements of God’s compassion in the Old Testament. God is not indifferent towards sinners. He takes no pleasure in judgment. Though God is holy and must judge sin, He delights in mercy when sinners repent. Jonah wanted judgment, but God wanted repentance. As believers, we are called to reflect God’s compassion. We should never desire the destruction of those whom God desires to save. No sinner is beyond God’s grace. Who is God calling you to love and bring His saving message to that you don’t want to love?
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