260913 - Jonah 4:1-6 Anger at Grace

Angry at Grace

Jonah 4:1-6

Observation — What Does the Passage Say?

1. What two words in verse 1 describe the intensity of Jonah’s reaction about God’s response to Nineveh’s repentance?

2. To whom did Jonah speak about his anger?

3. According to verse 2, what had Jonah previously said while he was still in his own country?

4. What attributes of God did Jonah acknowledge in his prayer?

5. What did Jonah ask God to do in verse 3?

6. What question did the Lord ask Jonah in verse 4?

7. Where did Jonah go after leaving Nineveh, and what did he do there?

8. What did God appoint to grow over Jonah, and how did Jonah respond to it (v. 6)?

Interpretation— What Does the Passage Mean?

9. Jonah accurately described God’s character in verse 2. What does this reveal about the difference between knowing theological truth and embracing it in the heart?

10. How did Jonah’s desire for Nineveh’s destruction conflict with God’s purpose in sending him there?

11. Why does God respond to Jonah’s anger with a question rather than an immediate rebuke?

12. What does Jonah’s great happiness over the plant reveal about the things he valued most at this point in the account?

The Character of God

13. What does God’s mercy toward repentant Nineveh reveal about His willingness to forgive sinners? What do the following verses teach about God’s heart of forgiveness?

Ephesians 1:7;

Psalm 86:5;

Isaiah 55:6–7;

Micah 7:18–19;

14. How do the attributes of God in the following verses compare to those listed in Jonah 4:2?

Numbers 14:18;

Psalm 103:8–13;

Joel 2:12–13;

Nehemiah 9:17;

15. What does God’s appointment of the plant reveal about His sovereignty over creation and circumstances? What do the following verses teach about God’s sovereignty?

Psalm 115:3;

Psalm 135:6–7;

Daniel 4:35;

Psalm 103:19;

16. God’s kindness is evident in this passage. What do the following verses say about the kindness of God?

Romans 2:4;

Psalm 145:8–9;

Matthew 5:44–45;

Romans 5:8;

James 1:17;

Discussion and Application

17. Are there particular people or groups whom you find difficult to view with compassion? What attitudes in your heart might God’s mercy toward Nineveh expose?

18. How can personal comfort, political loyalties, cultural preferences, or wounded pride become more important to us than the salvation and spiritual good of others?

19. When God’s plans differ from your desires, do you respond more like Jonah—with anger and self-pity—or with humble trust? What truth about God’s character from this passage most needs to shape your response?