A Word for Today from Jonah
“I’m tired of the hatred!” began a Facebook post by a friend. I think many people would agree. The disrespect and disregard for others expressed in anger, hostility, and violence is disturbing, seems to be increasing, and is even a bit frightening.
One of the most frightening aspects I find about the times we live in is the temptation for me to adopt the spirit of the day. I’m drawn to react in judgment, bitterness and anger. I don’t believe I hate and haven’t been violent, but I’m reminded of Jesus words that if you’re angry in your heart, you have committed murder already.
I don’t want to be that kind of person. I want the love and light of Jesus to shine through me, not anger and hatred.
This week, I found Jonah’s story applicable and encouraging in light of today’s events.
Jonah was a prophet, but he didn’t like what God called him to do, so he ran from God. In short, he rebelled. He didn’t just cover his ears and hide his head in the sand, he fled in the opposite direction as if trying to get out of God’s reach.
It’s clear that he disliked (hated?) Nineveh, but we aren’t told why. Was he a racist? Had the cruel Ninevites attacked or killed someone he loved, leading to a deep personal offense? Was he self-centered and just didn’t want to be troubled?
We don’t have an answer as to why, but we know that in spite of Jonah’s attitude, God chose him to deliver a message of doom to the city of Nineveh. Furthermore, he made sure Jonah was redirected so he could fulfill the assignment
I imagine Jonah’s messages to the people was less than enthusiastic, but the Lord moved mightily anyway. Much to Jonah’s dismay, Nineveh repented and turned to the Lord.
Jonah’s dislike of Nineveh was deep, and it persisted. He became angry because God didn’t destroy the city after they repented. In response, Jonah said, “O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!”
Jonah then sheltered on the east side of the city to observe first hand what would happen. The Lord provided him shade through a vine as he waited and watched. However, on the second day, a worm destroyed the plant and it withered. Consequently, Jonah was exposed to the heat of the sun. He responded with anger and a death wish. He said, “It is better for me to die than to live.”
Jonah was trapped in his negative attitude. He was miserable and wanted out.
If we hold onto our perspective (prejudices, judgments, offenses, or undesirable situation), we can become trapped too.
However, if we turn our eyes on the Lord, we’ll be encouraged, strengthened, and find hope for living.
God chose to use Jonah in spite of his limited, negative perspective and rebellion.
The Lord used extraordinary measures to get Jonah back on track when he fled. (Aren’t 3 days in the belly of a fish extraordinary? Especially if you’re then spit up on the very shore you were running from?)
In spite of Jonah’s rotten attitude, God anointed and empowered the message, bringing a city to repentance.
We aren’t told why Jonah rebelled or why he didn’t rejoice over the repentance of a whole, but he clearly had an attitude problem When Jonah was angry at the people’s repentance, God didn’t chastise or dismiss Jonah. Instead, He was patient and gentle. God sought to change Jonah’s thinking by asking, “Is it right for you to be angry?”
Furthermore, he Lord showed mercy and compassion toward Jonah as he stewed and watched to see what would happen to the city. The Lord graciously grew a vine to shield him from the sun.
When the vine withered, Jonah had another angry outburst. God again simply asked, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”
Jonah declared, “It is right for me to be angry, even to death!” (Still clueless. Still hard-hearted, with self-centered expectations.) When things didn’t go his way, he wanted to die.
“But the Lord said, ‘You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left?’” (Jonah 4:10-11)
The book of Jonah ends with a question, with God asking, “should I not pity” those “persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left?”
God kept trying to get Jonah’s attention, but Jonah was lost in his own world. Three days in a fish’s belly was not enough to change his perspective. Neither was seeing the mighty hand of God at work, or experiencing his gentle correction rather than a stern rebuke.
We do not know the end of Jonah’s story. Did he repent? Maybe we are left with the question because we are sometimes like Jonah. We too need to ask, “Is it right for you to be angry?”
Take-away from Jonah:
- God in not surprised by what is happening today. He has a plan, a purpose, and the creativity and power to see it through.
- He is patient, merciful, and compassionate still.
- He sees and understands the big picture. Without the Lord’s help, I can only see from my limited (often negative) perspective.
- When I’m upset or fearful concerning the state of things in the world around me, I need to stop and ask, “Is it right for you to be angry?” To be upset? Anxious? Fearful? Hateful? . . . Is this too big for God to handle?
“Lord, help me to not be like Jonah, not self-centered or angry. Help me to hear your voice and be quick to obey. Help me to take joy in seeing Your hand at work in the midst of the anger and hatred. Help me, Lord, to be used by You—in spite of myself.”