Jonah’s Anger

When reading the fourth chapter of Jonah I can just feel the heat of Jonah’s livid anger coming off the page. He is so angry, he wishes he were dead! Note the drama in these verses (emphasis mine):

‘Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!’

Then the Lord said, ‘Is it right for you to be angry?’ Jonah 4:3-4

Then he wished death for himself, and said ‘It is better for me to die than to live.’

Then God said to Jonah, ‘Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?’

And he said, ‘It is right for me to be angry, even to death!’ Jonah 4:8b-9

The Hebrew word used for ‘angry’ in this passage, ‘charah’ actually has its root in ‘charar’, referring to burning and scorching. Jonah is just vehement with an inferno of passionate fury!

What is it with this guy that God has to spell everything out for him?

The opposite outcome angered Jonah

Poor Jonah. He has preached God’s message and God’s message has had the intended effect. The people have repented and God’s wrath was averted. Jonah had told the city that it would be destroyed but it wasn’t. Jonah is mad because of God’s goodness, and perhaps also because he feels he looks a bit of a fool for prophesying an outcome that did not occur. He has forgotten that his ministry is supposed to transparently convey God’s message. And God gets to decide when to give relief.

Jonah doesn’t have his priorities straight

If Jonah had a heart for people that was shaped after God’s, he would deeply desire that people were called into God’s life. Rather, Jonah wishes that the Gentile city faced judgment and death because of their sin. It’s true that sin is an abomination. But, in terms of priority, it is better for the people to receive mercy and forgiveness following their repentance.

Your ministry

Do we interpret people’s situations through the lens of our own priorities and limited perspective? Or do we humbly let God lead our ministry towards people? Are specific outcomes more important to us than the priority of mercy and forgiveness?

Heart Check

Ask the Lord to give you His priorities for His people.