TEXT: Jonah 4:1-6 (CSB) – “Jonah was greatly displeased and became furious. He prayed to the Lord, “Please, Lord, isn’t this what I said while I was still in my own country? That’s why I fled toward Tarshish in the first place. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in faithful love, and one who relents from sending disaster. And now, Lord, take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” The Lord asked, “Is it right for you to be angry?” Jonah left the city and found a place east of it. He made himself a shelter there and sat in its shade to see what would happen to the city. Then the Lord God appointed a plant, and it grew over Jonah to provide shade for his head to rescue him from his trouble.[a] Jonah was greatly pleased with the plant.
Jonah had a serious problem with his emotional nature!
“But it displeased Jonah exceedingly”
" And he became angry"
These two things usually go hand in hand together! We are not talking about ordinary anger here or fleeting moments of anger ... we are talking about real entrenched anger of the hottest kind!
Jonah stands in complete contrast to God here, WHILE GOD TURNED FROM HIS ANGER, Jonah turns TOO ANGER! While God was "SLOW" to anger JONAH was QUICK! Jonah couldn't be more opposite of God at the moment – God had forgiven the wicked people of Nineveh; but Jonah wanted them all dead, all because of self-pity caused by jealousy and pride!
This seems to be in Jonah's nature to some extent ... yet God loved him enough that He was going to challenge Jonah over his extremes emotionally! God will for us too! Generally, this is not a pleasant experience!
Jonah displays all the characteristics of self-pity and anger:
· Jealousy
· Felt cheated
· Isolated himself from everyone while pouting!
· Sat alone in isolation pining how unfair God was ... was basically depressed over God’s love for people he didn’t love, hoped his pity party might get God to change His mind about saving the Ninevites!
· Jonah saw nothing in its proper perspective!
· Felt alone in his ordeal ... nobody else could know or understand like him! If only God would heed his wisdom and not save these lousy good for nothing enemies of Israel.
· Self-importance becomes a barrier to caring for others.
So what makes this guy redeemable?
First, he does the right thing, HE PRAYS! This was a good start on the problem! He doesn't pretend with God ... Jonah is honest about himself and his feelings!
NOTE: Being honest and open with God is important, but be careful whom you share deep feelings with!
He doesn't make excuses or water down his actions or feelings as he talks to God; at least he didn't let them out on the Ninevites! He now is candid about why he at first fled from God!
HE KNEW GOD WOULD SAVE THEM!
This was the whole reason he tried not to go in the first place! While he had a poor view of himself at this point ... he did have a proper view of God! THIS WOULD BE THE SECOND THING that helps him!
Today, take time to consider am I being honest with God. Am I not trying to appear “spiritual” while harboring anger and self-pity?
If I am, I need to spend time alone with God and just come clean. Be honest with Him – He can take it.
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