Exploring Jonah's Struggle with God's Mercy

(and honorable) than that of his first prayer in chapter 2. This time, it is used as like an ironic use, as if he is saying ‘Oh please! Do you even know what you are doing?” or “Please tell me you’re not serious!’” (Cary 129).

4 But Jonah was greatly displeased and became furious. 2 He prayed to the Lord: “Please, Lord, isn’t this what I said while I was still in my own country? That’s why I fled toward Tarshish in the first place. I knew that You are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to become angry, rich in faithful love, and One who relents from sending disaster. 3 And now, Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.”

4 The Lord asked, “Is it right for you to be angry?”

5 Jonah left the city and sat down east of it. He made himself a shelter there and sat in its shade to see what would happen to the city (Jonah 4:1-5).

I believe author Rosemary Nixon summarized this passage best when she said, “ In theory we can say God can forgive, but in practice we sometimes

discover that the reality of that forgiveness is hard to handle,” (181). Jonah is acting selfishly toward Nineveh; in his mind, only Israel should be in favor with God. Besides that, Assyria is keeping his nation in exile. Of course he does not want to save the very country that is the enemy of his nation. However, God says in Leviticus 19:18, “18 Do not take revenge or bear a grudge against members of your community, but love your neighbor as yourself; I am Yahweh.” As we find out later in the Bible, our neighbors are whoever need our help; whomever God instructs us to help find the way. We should not be driven to extreme anger when a neighbor is saved. “In ancient Judaism the book served as a bulwark against narrow particularism that allowed Jews to think they alone were worthy of God’s blessings while other people were not. To a more modern reader the message may be seen in the light of Jesus’ own teaching about forgiveness … No one should oppose God’s mercy in receiving sinners into the Kingdom,” (Stuart 434).
Speaking of anger, that is the most used word in this specific passage, it appears about 3 times in 5 verses. Either the word itself is used or a synonym of it. The word “furious” is used in verse one to describe how Jonah felt about what the Lord had done. Secondly, angry is used in Jonah’s prayer for God to kill him. Lastly, angry is used by the Lord Himself when he asks Jonah in verse 4 “...Is it right for you to be angry?” “In the New Testament, Jesus speaks of there being much joy among the angels in heaven over one sinner who repents. But after all the effort involved, the repentance of an entire population of the great city of Nineveh brought no joy to Jonah, only intense anger,” (Nixon 180).
These 5 verses emit both a long term and a short term response.

Short term, the city of Nineveh is saved because they are overcome with grief from Jonah’s quick warning. As stated before, it is like they knew they needed something more and they knew they were down the wrong path; and Jonah’s brief message gave them the answer. Long term, we can apply this to remember that God’s forgiveness and grace is abundant enough for all. Not one person receives more than another. Though we are all God’s children, unfortunately, not all of us will take heed to our Father’s warning.

Scholars have different opinions on this passage. Some feel that the book of Jonah is merely story. That it was taught by Israel to not limit God’s grace. Others believe it was a real event that took place in history. As with any topic, not all scholars will agree with one another. Yet, they all agree that God’s grace is for all, and we should not try to keep it from our neighbors.

Application
Jonah did leave a legacy to its original audience. A legacy of how God’s people should not react. Even when our enemies repent, we ought to rejoice. Jonah is also one of the few books in the Bible where we do not see any kind of Messianic expectations. Though is is still an important part of the Bible with an important message.
In today’s world, the book of Jonah is still a relevant piece of Scripture. There are several things of which we can take from this book. First off, when God makes it very clear that He wants you to do something, you better do it! It is not optional. Secondly, no one, or group of people is more favored than another, God’s grace extends far beyond our own measure. Lastly, when we do feel convicted or know that we are in the wrong, we should reflect on how we should have responded and not argue with God. This point was taken from the idea that the book of Jonah does not really have an ending; rather it leaves us pondering Jonah’s reactions.
A way I can directly apply this to my life is through doing what God calls me to do. Whether that be obeying Him or “simply” being a light for the nations for Him. There are quotations around the word “simply” because most of the time, we know what we need to do. We know how we are supposed to act; how we should or should not talk. Yet, quite often we do not. We stray from God and much of the time it is hard to separate the “Christians” from the unbeliever. We live in a world where we are supposed to blend in. Unfortunately, the pressures of society grow ever so more as time goes on.
Jonah’s prayer in verse 2-3 of this passage again is far different; and honestly absurd.

“Jonah prays, ‘Take my life from me.’ Elijah once expressed such a death wish. Queen Jezebel had issued an order to kill Elijah because of his involvement in the execution of the Baal prophets on Mount Carmel. Fearing for his life, the prophet went into the wilderness and sat under a broom tree. He prayed in words almost identical to Jonah 4:3. “Now Lord, take away my life,” (1 Kings 19:4). Like Elijah, Jonah asks the Lord to take his life. His reasons, however, are quite different from those of Elijah. Jonah wants to die because he doesn’t like the thought of the people of Nineveh being allowed to live. Jonah has despondency without Elijah’s excuse. Jeremias observes: “If Elijah wanted to die because of his lack of success of his efforts, Jonah wishes to die because he had more success than he really wanted.” (Limburg 92)

The purpose of the book of Jonah is to remind us that God will “be faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,” (1 John 1:9). This is a verse intended for all people not just people of Israel. Anyone person who asks for forgiveness and repents will be saved by the grace of God. God is a fair, just God. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever,” (Hebrews 13:8). It makes no difference how we humans think should happen to those who have wronged us; God is the ultimate Judge and the only One who should decide whether to spare or not to spare the sinner. After all, Jesus said in John chapter 8, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” While we may want something different from what God’s plan is we might look at Jonah when he felt this way. While Jonah said “It is better…” God said “Is it good…?” I believe we can look at this part of Scripture realize that what we might think is the right answer to a situation; is not always what is right. Ultimately, God’s plan is the righteous way, and who are we to try to run from it?