Jonah: A Fishy Tale About a Faithful GodSýnishorn

Caring for what really matters

In the closing chapter of Jonah, Jonah becomes angry at God’s compassion and grace to the Ninevites. We are also finally told why Jonah didn’t want to go to Nineveh: he knew that God would respond to their repentance with forgiveness- like He always does. In verse two, Jonah quotes Exodus 34:6-7, knowing God is compassionate and gracious. Jonah doesn’t think the Ninevites deserve it. In fact, he is probably right, but grace is not given to the deserving.

In fact, Jonah’s reaction to the Ninvetes’ repentance shows us that we can have a good theology about God but still have our hearts not fully aligned with His. Jonah knew theologically about God, yet his knowledge of God did not lead him to love and compassion for the Ninevites.

This is why the phrase “just preach the Gospel” is so inadequate. Yes, we need to preach and hear the good news about what God has done through Jesus, but we also need to live it out. It is good and wise to seek counsel, sermons, and feedback on how to practically do this. Otherwise, we can become like Jonah in this story. We can know a lot about God yet not let it change how we live.

There is another problem with Jonah’s lack of willingness to preach to the Ninevites: hypocrisy. Put another way, the ultimate form of Christian hypocrisy is denying grace to others when God so graciously gave it to you. If He is willing to forgive us no matter what we have done, why would we not want Him to be willing to forgive others?

In this chapter, we see Jonah care more about the plant that was providing him shade than the 120,000 human beings living in Nineveh. And it’s really easy to agree with the Lord when He chastises Jonah here (as we should) that he cares more for a plant than people. But while doing so we must ask ourselves who are the people we think don’t deserve God’s love and forgiveness?

The book of Jonah shows us an important truth: God treats our enemies the same way He treats us. No one is beyond the grace and mercy of God. Which is also great news for us. For if God is willing to offer grace to everyone, it means He is also willing to offer grace to you.

Today’s reflection

Who are the people I would have trouble wanting God to forgive (either people you personally know or groups of people who vote, think, or believe differently than you)? What would it look like to pray for them today rather than despise them?

Going Deeper

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