Text: Jonah 4:1-5
The people of Nineveh repented and the Lord forgave them (3:10). Jonah
became angry (v.1). Why? Because in Jonah’s days, Jews never wanted to share God’s message with the Gentiles; the same resistance Paul got (I Thes. 2:14- 16). Yet God’s original plan was to make Israel a blessing to all nations (Gen. 22:18). The reason Jonah was resisting going to Nineveh was so that the city may not be forgiven (v.3), for he knew God’s character: gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love (v. 2).
Surprisingly, Jonah, who is grateful to God for his own deliverance (2:9), did not want Nineveh to be delivered. He decided to leave and sit outside the city at a vantage point where he supposedly could properly see the destruction of Nineveh (v.5). He thought that God would still punish the Ninevites despite their repentance, in effect regretting why he prophesied to them in the first place. Still believing that God will punish the city he made himself a shelter outside the city so that he is not caught up in the destruction. How do you treat, or what do you wish for your enemies? Jesus Christ taught us to treat well and pray for our enemies.
Meditate on verses 10 and 11. What is God teaching you in these verses?
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, help me have the zeal to witness for and demonstrate Your goodness always. Amen.