Jonah 4:1-11

A Lesson About the Compassion of God

Key verse:

Jonah 4:2 NASB95

2 He prayed to the Lord and said, “Please Lord, was not this what I said while I was still in my own country? Therefore in order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity.

Let us define the English word “Compassion” - a deep awareness of and sympathy for another’s suffering.

Synonym - mercy, kindness, sympathy...

16 times this word compassion or compassionate is used to describe God;

Exodus 34:6 NASB95

6 Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth;

Deuteronomy 4:31 NASB95

31 “For the Lord your God is a compassionate God; He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them.

Psalm 103:8 NASB95

8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.

Joel 2:12–13 NASB95

12 “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning; 13 And rend your heart and not your garments.” Now return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil.

From this sampling of passage, we can conclude that...

I. God’s compassion is unchanging and unwavering.

a. Like love and grace, compassion is part of his nature. It is who He is.

Like love and grace, the compassion of God cannot increase or decrease, for He is an unchanging God.

Like love and grace, the compassion of God is continuous and sustained.

Magpabilin ug magpadayon...sama sa tubod nga dili mauga.

Jonah knew that truth about God; that is why he revealed the reason for his anger when God showed compassion to Nineveh.

Jonah 4:1–2 NASB95

1 But it greatly displeased Jonah and he became angry. 2 He prayed to the Lord and said, “Please Lord, was not this what I said while I was still in my own country? Therefore in order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity.

Jonah disagreed with God - he was displeased and angry.

His attitude symbolizes the nation of Israel. They lack concern for the ways and mercies of God.

Every adult Jews knew that God is compassionate and He does not decrease in compassion.

Lamentations 3:22 ESV

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;

mercies - compassion

b. God’s acts in the past in His intervention with humanity demonstrates this character - compassion.

Why did God rescue Israel time and time again? Because of his compassion.

The Hebrew’s exodus from Egypt is God’s act of compassion for those under the Abrahamic covenant.

Exodus 3:7–9 NASB95

7 The Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt, and have given heed to their cry because of their taskmasters, for I am aware of their sufferings. 8 “So I have come down to deliver them from the power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite. 9 “Now, behold, the cry of the sons of Israel has come to Me; furthermore, I have seen the oppression with which the Egyptians are oppressing them.

In their stubborn unbelief, God is still compassionate to them.

Nehemiah 9:17 NASB95

17 “They refused to listen, And did not remember Your wondrous deeds which You had performed among them; So they became stubborn and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But You are a God of forgiveness, Gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness; And You did not forsake them.

They refused to listen - issue with man, sinful nature in man.

Gracious and compassionate - character of God

Humans change, circumstances change, but God does not.

Nehemiah 9:30–31 NIV

30 For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you warned them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you gave them into the hands of the neighboring peoples. 31 But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.

In your great mercy - compassion

for you are gracious and merciful God

Why did God sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross? Again, his compassion for the lost.

Isaiah 53:6 NASB95

6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.

Isaiah records for us the real standing of humanity - we have gone astray, and we deserve God's punishment.

The 2nd person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ, volunteered to be in our place of punishment so Jesus would restore humanity to God.

Isaiah 53:5 NIV

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

To those who believe in Jesus, we are healed, restored, redeemed, renewed, and reconciled, at peace with the Father.

II. God’s compassion cannot be earned by any human effort.

a. Our good works can not earn God’s compassion.

No one person can earn the merit of God’s compassion.

- The compassion of God is displayed in the life of Jonah (restored to honor)

- The compassion of God is displayed in the lives of the people of Nineveh (Did not perish)

b. The heart of God is full of compassion and love, even for the undeserving.

This is something that humans with sinful nature cannot fully comprehend unless we have a heart for God.

In the NT, we find Jesus compassionate with the lost and undeserving.

Example - The parable of the prodigal Son

III. God’s compassion is for all His Creation.

We might think that God’s compassion is only for the good and religious.

If so, we are like Jonah. Our values are distorted and we have a wrong understanding of the compassion of God.

a. Jonah’s disregard of God’s will and mercy.

He asked God to take his life twice.

Jonah 4:3–4 NASB95

3 “Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for death is better to me than life.” 4 The Lord said, “Do you have good reason to be angry?”

This is a question for us readers today - Do we have reason to be angry when God shows mercy to our enemies?

Jonah 4:8 NASB95

8 When the sun came up God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on Jonah’s head so that he became faint and begged with all his soul to die, saying, “Death is better to me than life.”

He desired to die twice (v3 and v8). but He did not attempt to take His life.

This desire to die due to depression is not unique to Jonah, see Elijah 1 Kings 19:4

1 Kings 19:4 NASB95

4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree; and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers.”

Only Judas took his life because of guilt and it is something that a faithful Christian should do.

Saul also took a sword and fell on it so that The enemies would not capture him - this is not also commendable.

At the final analysis, we must let our compassionate God take our life when He sees it fit.

Taking your life or extending your life is based on God's compassion to an individual.

Suicide is a sin as it usurps God’s authority to take life. It is murder and murder is sin.

b. Jonah’s hatred blinded his understanding of God’s compassion.

Jonah 4:5 NASB95

5 Then Jonah went out from the city and sat east of it. There he made a shelter for himself and sat under it in the shade until he could see what would happen in the city.

Jonah hated his enemies so much that He wished for them to be destroyed..

He waited that God might change His mind and destroy the people of Nineveh (probably within the 40 days)

c. God taught Jonah a lesson about compassion

God is patient with Jonah's childish attitude and gently taught Jonah a lesson he will not forget.

Jonah 4:6–8 NASB95

6 So the Lord God appointed a plant and it grew up over Jonah to be a shade over his head to deliver him from his discomfort. And Jonah was extremely happy about the plant. 7 But God appointed a worm when dawn came the next day and it attacked the plant and it withered. 8 When the sun came up God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on Jonah’s head so that he became faint and begged with all his soul to die, saying, “Death is better to me than life.”

God’s Sovereignty over objects / creation (plant, worm, hot weather), all of it to teach Jonah about compassion.

Jonah 4:9–11 NASB95

9 Then God said to Jonah, “Do you have good reason to be angry about the plant?” And he said, “I have good reason to be angry, even to death.” 10 Then the Lord said, “You had compassion on the plant for which you did not work and which you did not cause to grow, which came up overnight and perished overnight. 11 “Should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?”

Issues

- When humans have no respect for life.

- No compassion for the lost

- We don’t care about God and His Will

But God’s compassion is for all His creation - Jew or Gentile, Sinner or Worst Sinner.

Ezekiel 33:11 NASB95

11 “Say to them, ‘As I live!’ declares the Lord God, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?’

In the end, Jonah learned a lesson about divine love and compassion - as God’s prophet, he must experience it first so that he can personally testify it to his listeners/ readers.

All God is doing, and what He will do will always flow from His compassionate heart.

The Compassion of God shown through Jesus

In the NT, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, exactly reflected the Father’s compassion in his dealings with a fallen humanity. Jesus healed diseases and infirmities, cast out spirits, and empowered others and sent them out to do likewise. He fed hungry people and, and those who are weary and hopeless he invited them to him for hope and peace.

Matthew 14:14 NASB95

14 When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick.

Matthew 11:28–30 NASB95

28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Hebrews 4:15–16 NASB95

15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

We can draw near to the compassionate heart of Jesus.

Proper Response:

1. Be compassionate for the lost.

Do you value the life of your family members or your neighbours?

You were once lost and now found. Help them see the light by giving them the Gospel of Salvation.

2. Be compassionate to people who are also undeserving.

Compassion needs to be shown in action.

Colossians 3:12 NASB95

12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;

A person who makes you angry - be considerate of their situation and understand why they are that way.

A family member who struggles with anger and impatience - show compassion and kindness by not retaliating but by gently explaining the reason or cause of the problem. Not condemnation, not a Word-War.

1 John 3:17 NASB95

17 But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?

A brother or a sister or a family is struggling financially - be compassionate by extending support. Practical ways include helping the person find a better paying job and teaching money management and savings. If you are able, give a fish—both teaching how to fish and fish when necessary.

3. Be compassionate to God by valuing your life.

Suicide is a real concern in the society. This is a global concern.

I will not assume nga dili ni concern even sa mga Christian homes.

I will not assume nga impossible ni mahitabo dire sa atong community.

We must be vigilant and aware on how to help them labi na ang mga adunay suicidal tendencies.

My father, when he was in his teens had suicidal tendencies

He was hospitalised because He intentionally ingested pesticide.

Key facts

- More than 700 000 people die due to suicide every year.

- For every suicide there are many more people who attempt suicide. A prior suicide attempt is the single most important risk factor for suicide in the general population.

- Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-19 year-olds.

- 77% of global suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries.

- Ingestion of pesticide, hanging and firearms are among the most common methods of suicide globally.

Let God take your life when he wills it. It is not within your right and authority to take your life. Taking your life will be offensive to God and your act will hurt God.

Illustration:

In Church History we learned that one of the reasons Christianity spread rapidly is because

the Christians were compassionate to the poor and needy in the community. They express in practical ways the love of Christ .

Tertullian wrote what the pagans are saying to Christians, “See how these Christians love one another”.

They have compassion for the widows and orphans, during famine and earthquakes, or war, or pestilence, they were there to help.

Emperor Julian (enemy of Christians) was quoted saying, “The Christian faith has been specially advanced through the loving service rendered to strangers, and through their care for the burial of the dead. It is a scandal that there is not a single Jew who is a beggar, and that the godless Galileans care not only for their own poor but for ours as well; while those who belong to us look in vain for the help that we should render them” - Church History in Plain Language by Bruce Shelley.

Compassion and mercy should be the lifestyle of every follower of Christ.