Faithful on Fridays Blog

You’d think the ending of this prophet’s story would be pleasant, encouraging, or comforting but it isn’t. Jonah was shown grace and mercy in the midst of his outright disobedience when God gave him a second chance to successfully preach to the Ninevites. Even though these pagan people received his warning and repented, Jonah wasn’t happy about it, in fact, he became raging mad. He expected God’s justice but observed His mercy. That’s one hard heart.

In Jonah’s eyes, from his perspective, what God did just seemed wrong. His warnings made him look bad, like a false prophet, he even became suicidal, consequently, that self-centered outlook caused evil emotions, extreme anger, to rise up in his heart. He wasn’t afraid to express that anger to God as he defended his position; “I told You that would happen! That’s why I ran away in the beginning.” I’m thinking God doesn’t see it the same way.

As a prophet Jonah knew God’s character but couldn’t imagine those attributes could include Gentiles: grace, mercy, patience, love, and even changing His mind about deserved punishment. These idolaters didn’t deserve to experience God in these ways … like he did; do we feel the same way about some people? How about illegal immigrants, the homeless, ex-cons, I think you get my gist. If they did things right then they wouldn’t be in those positions, right? 

For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:13 

God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7

God expects His people to show His mercy to others; it was at the heart of Jesus’ ministry as well. In a parable He closed the story with these words,

Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you. Matthew 18:33 

Point taken.

Jonah’s story isn’t over; God continued to teach him (4:5-11) by showing His divine character: mercy. In Jonah’s inability to believe in God’s mercy he left the city and waited for judgment to fall. As God appointed a fish in the beginning of this story, now appoints a luscious plant to cover Jonah for his personal comfort and he’s happy again. However, God also appointed a worm to destroy his comfort, not only that, but also appointed a scorching sun and hot wind to cause Jonah to again, be suicidal.

God’s response to Jonah makes me smile; if I can paraphrase again, “How’s that anger working out for you?” Jonah did nothing right to receive God’s mercy and deliverance and yet he willingly received it. This story ends showing us God’s grace, mercy, and compassion to the undeserving when He sovereignly chooses; get over it. If God shows illegal immigrants, the homeless, or the ex-cons compassion, as Christ-followers, so should we. If you want God’s undeserved mercy in your life then show mercy to the undeserving. That’s how it works.