Jonah – Chapter 4
The Mystery of God’s Mercy
March 1, 2020
Have you ever watched a movie that had an unexpected ending?
The bad guy got away it. The villain was not punished. The hero dies.
Jonah 4:1-4 NIV
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?”
This is who God is. He holds back. He delays. He forgives.
God called them to repentance, but Jonah wanted them punished.
All of us have been mad at God.
Maybe, He did not answer our prayers or acted in a way that surprised us.
I will worship God if he gives me _________.
Anger – I see your brokenness and I want you to change.
Hatred – I see your brokenness and I want you destroyed.
Proverbs 10:12 NIV
Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.
There was plenty wrong with the Assyrians. They were barbaric, trained in terror and bent on world domination.
We’re either stirred up by anger or covered by grace.
Jonah 4:11 NIV
And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”
Wait, is this how the book really ends? With a question from God?
The extent of God’s mercy is always beyond our comprehension.
Luke 19:41-42 NIV
As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.
The Table:
Exodus 34:6-7 NIV
And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.
Jonah still smelled like the fish that saved him, but he had forgot about the grace that saved him.
All of us deserve justice, but we’re offered the gift of grace.
