PRISON OF UNFORGIVENESS
By : Ng Wah Lok
Text : Jonah 1:1-5, 3:1 – 4:3
This week’s major news – Amish killings
10 young school girls shot execution style– ages 6 – 13 by Charles Robert. 5 were dead and 5 others seriously injured . Dead included Naomi Rose Ebersole, 7; Anna Mae Stoltzfus, 12; Marian Fisher, 13; Mary Liz Miller, 8; and her sister Lena Miller, 7. Stoltzfus’ sister was among the wounded.
A- Killer - Charles Robert
- Man who delivered milk to the community.
– 9 years ago, his young baby died 20 minutes after delivery. As a result , he was angry with God.
– 20 years ago, he says he molested 2 young relatives. He says he was having dreams of doing it again.
Suicide note of Charles Robert’s anger
In the suicide notes, Roberts also said he was haunted by the death of his prematurely born daughter in 1997. The baby, Elise, died 20 minutes after being delivered, Miller said.
Elise’s death "changed my life forever," Roberts wrote to his wife. "I haven’t been the same since it affected me in a way I never felt possible. I am filled with so much hate, hate toward myself hate towards God and unimaginable emptyness it seems like everytime we do something fun I think about how Elise wasn’t here to share it with us and I go right back to anger."
B) Armish victim’s family responded with forgiveness
- Leaders of the Armish ask the people to forgive the killer and not to look at him with evil in their hearts.
- Killer’s widow was invited to the funeral service
- Armish community have asked for a fund to be raised for the killer’s children.
Jonah’s downward spiral due to unforgiveness and anger
1. Jonah was called to preach to the people of Nineveh
– Jonah 1:1-2
Jonah 1:1-2 Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,2 "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me."
2. Jonah responded by running away from God. Jonah 1:3
Jonah 1:3 But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
Down – mentioned 4 times – v3,v5
Down to Joppa – v3
Down into it….from the presence of God – v3
Down into lowest part of the ship – v5
“Down” into the sea – v15
“Down” into the fish – v17
If we run away from God, we can only go downwards.
3. Jonah was struggling with anger towards Nineveh because they had previously dealt harshly with Israel.
Nineveh was the capital of Assyria who were cruel to Israel. Being a prophet, Jonah probably know that Assyria will one day conquer and take Israel captive.
He refused to forgive the Ninevites even though God wanted to give them a chance to repent.
Jonah 4:1-3 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry.2 So he prayed to the LORD, and said, "Ah, LORD, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, one who relents from doing harm.
4. Jonah anger began to turn inwards and he became self destructive ( suicidal) because of his inward anger.
Jonah 4:3-4 Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!" 4 Then the LORD said, "Is it right for you to be angry?"
Jonah 4:9 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!"
Let us answer 2 questions on unforgiveness.
Q1 – What happens when we do not forgive ?
When we do not forgive, our relationship with God is broken as God says He will not forgive our sins. When that happens, we spiral downwards. Hence , unforgiveness is a very serious sin.
Matt 6:14-15 "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Unforgiveness will eventually destroy us as it will lead to anger in our hearts. Let us see the results of unforgiveness.
a) Unforgiveness will lead to anger directed at 3 directions
i) Anger towards others. – Jonah 4:1-3
Jonah was angry towards the Ninevites
ii) Anger towards self – Jonah 4:3
Jonah became angry when the Ninevites repented of their sins.
Judas is another good example of self anger as he committed suicide because he was angry at himself for betraying Jesus. He never received forgiveness of his sin because he did not forgive himself
Matt 27:4-5 saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood."
And they said, "What is that to us? You see to it!" 5 Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.
iii) Anger towards God. – Eg Johan 4:9
Charles Roberts – lost his 20 minute old baby Elise – angry towards God
Suicide Note by Charles Robert
“ Elise’s death "changed my life forever, I haven’t been the same since it affected me in a way I never felt possible. I am filled with so much hate, hate toward myself hate towards God and unimaginable emptyness it seems like everytime we do something fun I think about how Elise wasn’t here to share it with us and I go right back to anger."
There is no justification for being angry with God. Anger with God shows that we think that God is unfair and unjust. However the opposite is true. Because of sin, God has the absolute right to destroy humanity and the entire world. Every breath we breathe is by the grace of God.
Even the righteous are not spared from difficult circumstances eg
- John the Baptist executed
- Stephen martyred
- Joseph sold as a slave
If we are angry towards God, there is very little chance for us to breakthrough in our lives.
b). Anger will lead to bitterness
Heb 12:14-16 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
Bitterness is the poison we swallow, while hoping the other person dies’ …….Skip Gray
c). Bitterness will spring out and trouble many people.
People who are bitter allow hate to dominate their lives. As a result, they are motivated by hate and live only to destroy the other person. Today suicide bombers are usually motivated by hate, destroying themselves and others in the name of God.
Q2 . What happens when we forgive ?
a) The Prisoner Is Released
The prisoner is set free from bitterness and anger.
b) The Poison Is Removed
The Poison of hatred, stress and pain are removed from our hearts.
c) The Penalty Is Remedied.
Freedom and joy are restored in our lives.
Conclusion.
Charles Roberts filled his heart with hate and anger. But we can choose to forgive.
The nun who was killed because of the Pope’s statement on Prophet Mohammed forgave her killer before she died.
Amish people responded with forgiveness towards Charles Roberts by embracing his family.
Do you want the power of forgiveness or
the prison of unforgiveness ?
Forgiveness brings freedom and unforgiveness imprisonment
The Lords Prayer - Matt 6:9-13
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Ame
