He Learned a Lesson in Mercy - A Contrast Between DIvine Mercy and Human RIgidity -Conclusion

 

How did Jonah react when destruction did not come at the time he expected it to?  We read "To Jonah, though, it was highly displeasing, and he to be hot with anger." (Jonah 4:1) Jonah even uttered a  prayer that sounds like rebuke of the Almighty!  Jonah suggested that he should have stayed home, on his own ground.  He claimed that he knew all along that Jonah would not bring calamity on Nineveh, even using that as an excuse for his running away to Tarshish in the first place.  Then he asked to die, saying that death would be better than life. - Read JONAH 4:2, 3.

What was troubling  Jonah? We cannot know alll that went through his mind, but we do know that Jonah had proclaimed doom to Niveveh before all those people.  They had believed him. And now, no doom was coming.  Did he fear being ridiculed or being labeled a false prophet? Whatever the case, he did not rejoice over the people's repentance or over Jehovah's mercy. Instead, it seems, he was on a downward spiral ito mire of bitterness, self-pity, and wounded pride.  Evidently, though, Jonah's merciful God still saw good in this distressed prophet.  Instead of punishing Jonah for his disrespect,  Jehovah simply asked him one gentle, probing question:  "Have you rightly become hot with anger?"  (Jonah 4:4)  Did Jonah ever answer?  The Bible record is silent. 

It is easy to judge for his conduct, we do we do well to remember that it is not unusual for imperfect humans to disagree with God.  Some may believe that Jehovah should have prevented a tragedy or that he should have executed swift judgment  against the wicked or even that he should have brought an end to this whole world system of things before now.  Jonah's example serves to remind us that we disagree with Jehovah God, it is always our own point  of view that needs an adjustment-never his. 

Next time: He Learned a Lesson in Mercy - How Jehovah Taught Jonah a Lesson

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