Jonah part 4

Intro:

Dorie and I watching movies

Most good stories follow a similar theme and pattern

possibility

problem

provision

process

perfection

With Jonah there’s a similar pattern

This story more or less starts with the problem

God sends Jonah to be the provision

There’s this really long process of getting there but a process nonetheless

and then Chapter 3 as we ended on last week ends in perfection or at least the perfect kind of ending

Jonah 3:10 NIV

10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.

and the truth is most tellings of this story stop right there

Because it’s comfortable

It’s familiar

And because if you keep reading and finish the real story it’s just hard to explain why

But this is God’s Word

We don’t have the luxury or the right to get to pick and choose which parts we like and don’t like

We don’t have the authority to say when to stop or start

Jonah continues on, so we must continue on

But I think, if we take the time and effort to really focus in on what the author and God might be trying to teach, we may find some of the most powerful truths within the whole of the story

Jonah 4 NIV

1 But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. 2 He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing 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. 3 Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” 4 But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?” 5 Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. 6 Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. 7 But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. 8 When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.” 9 But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” “It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.” 10 But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. 11 And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”

pray

Doesn’t this feel like such an odd way to end the story?

The resolution is not how you and I probably would have stated it

The story doesn’t end how we would have written it

But, as I’ve read and prayed this week, I think that’s the point

To show us this main idea

GOD’S WAY IS UNCOMFORTABLE

He doesn’t think how we think, He doesn’t make decisions like we do, He isn’t motivated by the same things, and thank God He doesn’t

Maybe the story of Jonah is written in such a way to make us uncomfortable for a reason

Because God’s way is uncomfortable

And the story of Jonah is a clear reminder of that

Think back through this story

Throughout almost it’s entirety, there’s never a moment you feel comfortable with what’s going on

Aside from maybe chapter 2 but even then Jonah is inside of a fish when he is praying the prayer

Can I just tell you something, God’s way is always going to be uncomfortable

For the disciples and early church it was physical torture, abuse, and death

Let’s be honest, in 2024 America, we aren’t facing that. It may come, but we aren’t facing that.

But God’s way is always uncomfortable

For many of us, that just means we are going to have to get out of our comfortable ways

You might have to serve someone you don’t like

You might have to make time that you don’t have

You might have to give more than you have to give

You might have to get uncomfortable because God’s way is uncomfortable

Richard talked last week about truth telling and repentance

So, let’s have a truth telling this morning

Who God loves, makes me uncomfortable

Who God gives grace to, often makes me uncomfortable

Who God shows mercy to, often makes me uncomfortable

Who God pursues often makes me uncomfortable

Who God decides to use, often makes me uncomfortable

Who God allows bad things to happen to, often makes me uncomfortable

The things God calls me to, often makes me uncomfortable

What I’m saying is, the God that I serve, the God that I love, the God I would give my life to, makes me uncomfortable

If in this moment right here right now, you are looking for comfortable and you are looking for safe, you won’t find it in God

But if you are looking for good and looking for salvation He is your answer

In fact, if you are looking for answers, He is your answer

But isn’t that the story of the Bible?

Is there ever a time where God’s utmost concern is for our comfort?

Is there ever a time in the story of Jonah where he is completely comfortable?

He shows us in chapter 4, after everything he’s been through, angry at God

He’s angry that his message worked

"What a strange sort of man was Jonah, to dread the success of his ministry!" - Matthew Henry

To Jonah’s credit, He at least is honest with God, because he goes on to tell God why He was mad at Him

Do you see Jonah’s response?

I knew it!!!!!!

I knew you were gracious

I knew you were compassionate

I knew you were slow to anger

I knew you were abounding in love

You ever heard a kid try to take a shot at you but they don’t know how so it just comes out as a compliment

Like of yea, well your skinny!

This is what Jonah sounds like!

Oh yea God, I’ll tell you why I’m angry, cause you’re the best!!!

Wait what?

It’s so ridiculous what Jonah is doing!

It’s so naive, so elementary, so narrow minded, SO US!

To get upset at God over the things we are also most thankful for

To be angry at God outside of these walls about the very things we praise Him inside for

This is what religion gets you

Because it’s certainly not something that Christ gives you

Jonah is so mad in chapter 4 at the very things He was praising God for in chapter 2

It’s not as if Jonah needs better understanding, more knowledge, he just wants control

God I like that you are good, I like that you are slow to anger, I like that you are compassionate and loving, just let me decide when you use it and to whom you use it on

Isn’t this so us?

And God, throughout all of this, is still showing Jonah the same thing He showed Nineveh. Grace!

In fact, He shows grace more often to Jonah than He even does Nineveh

If Jonah was so worried about God grace running out he had an odd way of showing it

But we know, that God’s grace is sufficient

And He hold this unique and mysterious ability to perfectly balance the extension of grace and the hammer of justice

And I’m thankful that He is the only one with that authority and none of us are

GOD IS MORE GRACIOUS THAN WE ARE REBELLIOUS

I don’t know where you are in your journey with Jesus

new, unsure = grace is enough

More religious than real = grace is enough

You’ve allowed your self-centeredness rob you of the joy of following Jesus

Parable of the prodigal son

Because although He may make you uncomfortable, He makes you alive

And I can’t wait to share the good news of that story next week!