This post is Day 22 in a series of studies about “Jonah”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Jonah – Day 22

Jonah still has some growing to do at this point in the story. He is a long way from thinking the same way as God. He does not have the same compassion and love. And he is just embarrassed that what he told the people of Nineveh did not happen.

Jonah 4:1-2

But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. He prayed to the LORD, “O LORD, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.

The Thought

Jonah still has some growing to do at this point in the story. He is a long way from thinking the same way as Father God. He doesn’t have the same compassion and love. And he is just embarrassed that what he told the people of Nineveh didn’t happen.

His attitude to God is one of “I told you so!” How sad it is that the prophet couldn’t rejoice that so many people, (the whole city) heard the message and followed the king of Nineveh’s leading to repent. This was what God wanted, and expected, but His prophet was not very pleased!

Many of the cities of the world today are guilty of the same sins as Nineveh. Where are the prophetic voices calling them to repent? Most of us don’t see prophets in the streets very much, and most of us are not called to do that, but we can pray.

Action

Ask yourself today if you ever feel angry because God forgives those you think don’t deserve it, or because people receive certain blessings when you don’t?

Pray for a renewing of your own mind so that you see things the same way as God does.

Praise Him again because He is the God that Jonah describes in this verse; a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love.

Read Exodus chapter 33:19 and 34:6 where The Lord describes Himself as a God who is compassionate. Remind yourself throughout the day that He hasn’t changed.

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