Jonah 4

The book of Jonah is a short book stuck in the middle of the minor profits right before Micah. This book is most notable because of its first chapter where Jonah gets swallowed by a large fish (whale?) then spit out on shore 3 days later. But what I want to look at today is chapters 3 and 4.

Chapter 3:
Here we see that Jonah finally listens to the Lord and goes to Nineveh and delivers his message from the Lord. Much to Jonah 's chagrin they heed his warning and repent. Yes, that's right even the King declares fasting and praying in order to atone for whatever it was they had done that would cause God to want to destroy them in 40 days.

Chapter 4:
Now lets look at Jonah reaction when the peoples of Nineveh repent. "4:1 But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. 4:2 He prayed to the LORD, "O LORD, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee 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.""
Now we understand why Jonah has not wanted to go to Nineveh in the first place. His heart was hard for the people of Nineveh and he hated the fact that if they repented God would be merciful on them and let them live. Yes, that is right. He wanted then to pay for there abominations before the Lord no matter what. And he knew that if they repented God would be merciful.

This is a powerful warning by dear brothers and sisters. How heard are your hearts to those who once they hear the truth of Christ repent. Will you be like Jonah and be angry with God for showing your new brother or sister in Christ the same love He has shown you? The same warning is true for brothers and sisters in Christ who fall away or "backslide" if God shows them mercy will you be okay with that?

So often when this story is presented we focus only on Jonah's running from God's direction for him and his subsequent voyage on the boat and in the fish. And we fail to recognize the warning that is so clear at the end. Why? do we not want to think of ourselves as having this same issue. Does this not preach from the pulpit? Dear readers when the final Harvest is upon us many will turn to Christ, and we must be accepting of them when they finally embrace the truth no matter their past.

A personal note on this word. This word came so clear to me through several unrelated conversations I had yesterday and when preparing to last nights youth group. When I opened my bible to read this book I could not believe what i had read and nearly fell off my bar stool. Since then the Lord has been revealing to me just how many times in my heart I have reacted the same way Jonah did (YIKES). As a good Christian we would never say we hate someone or with them ill, but I confess I have. I will not tell you who or when as that is not something that I wish to be made public. But the Holy Spirit is showing me those things and in turn I am bringing them be for Jesus and asking Him to forgive my sinful heart.

Should you be reading this and the Lord reveals to you something similar, now is the perfect time to humble yourself before the Lord and ask His forgiveness. He Loves YOU and He will show you the same compassion He showed the people of Nineveh.