Jonah's Anger

Introduction

Jonah 3:10 “And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.”

God saw the repentance in their hearts that overflowed into outward expression. Upon seeing this God decided they did not have to be destroyed. Nineveh would continue. A great revival had occurred in Nineveh under the preaching of the wayward prophet. Jonah’s response to this revival was anger.

Who was Jonah Angry With?

Jonah 4:1–2 “But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. And he prayed unto the Lord,

It displeased Jonah. What did? God’s forgiveness of the people of Nineveh is what displeased Jonah. Imagine this; Jonah was mad at God. Jonah, who disobeyed, was angry with God. Jonah, who ran from God, was angry with God. Jonah, who held hate in his heart, was angry with God. Jonah, who would rather an entire people be eradicated than to offer mercy, was angry with God.

Its amazing how Jonah could be such a disobedient and rebellious prophet could be angry with God. In reality it is a tragedy when anyone chooses to be angry with God when he is righteous, just, and perfect.

Other people choose to be angry with God for various reasons. Some people do not think their life has gone how they wanted it to. Some are upset because they don’t think they got what they deserved. Some people get upset by the people that are no longer here in this life. Some people get angry with God when the lose a job, have financial problems, or other relational problems.

What we must ask ourselves is whether we ever have a right to be angry with God for any reason. The answer is no. While it is natural to ask God why? why me? why not? But for us to ever have anger towards a perfect, holy, just God is not acceptable.

Why was Jonah Angry?

Jonah 4:2 “And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.”

Jonah was angry because God was gracious to people he hated

Jonah was angry because God was merciful to people he didn’t think he was worthy

Jonah was angry because God would not lash out at the people he though deserved judgment

What can we learn from Jonah’s Anger?

God is always right

Jonah was mad a God for doing something for a people he did not think should be helped. Jonah was wrong because God is always right. If you are ever in a position in your life where you think God may be wrong he isn’t; you are wrong for thinking that way. God is always right. He was right about Nineveh. He was right about Jonah. He is right about you and your life and your circumstances. Jonah refused to submit to God’s sovereign will. You may refuse to as well, but just as Jonah is wrong; you would be wrong too.

Grace is always undeserved

Jonah did not deserve it. Nineveh did not deserve it. No one deserves grace. Grace is unearned favor. No one can earn the favor of God. If you get the idea you deserve any goodness in your life then you need to think again. We deserve nothing but Hell for all of eternity. It is our pride that causes us to think that we deserve anything from God. It is greater pride to believe we deserve more from God than someone else or that we are better than anyone else.

Pride is always wrong

The prejudice Jonah had in his heart toward the people of Nineveh was derived in Pride. He believed that he deserved God’s grace and his mercy and that Nineveh did not. This is pride. We are not better than anyone. We have been saved from our sin and unbelievers are still in their sin. We should rejoice when others get saved; not get upset because we don’t think they are worthy. That is despicable and it is ungrateful for the grace and mercy that God has granted to you.