Jonah III
But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. (Jonah 4:1-3 ESV)
Right but Wrong
Jonah thought that God was gracious and merciful. And Jonah was right.
Jonah thought that God was all powerful. And Jonah was right.
Jonah thought that God is good. And Jonah was right.
But Jonah saw those things, and did not like them. He wanted vengeance and Israel’s ancient enemy destroyed, so Jonah did not want God to forgive.
He wanted God to miss hearing Ninevah’s repentance, so Jonah did not want God to know their repentance.
He wanted God to be harsh instead of good, demanding instead of patient, and hating instead of loving. He wanted to see his idea of victory with his own eyes, so Jonah did not want God to be good.
We could learn a thing or two from Jonah’s mistakes.
Rejoice when strange people are saved. Welcome when ‘others’ come to worship. Look for God’s way to be done, instead of our way. Laugh at God’s irony when He saves the unsavable.