An Angry and Bitter Prophet
Pastor Chang Kim
Jonah 4:1-4
Jonah's Anger and the Lord's Compassion
But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. 2 And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. 3 Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” 4 And the Lord said, “Do you do well to be angry?”
Introduction: Review of Chapters 1-3.
In chapter 4, Jonah is angry. Jonah reverts back to his old self. He would rather die than to see Nineveh receive mercy.
Transition: First thing we see is a self-centered prophet
Self-centered Prophet v1
But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry
Chapter 2:7-9
When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple. 8 Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. 9 But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!”
Chapter 3:10-4:1
When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it. But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry
2. God’s Goodness Confessed vv2-3
2 And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. 3 Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.”
A gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness, and one who relents concerning calamity.
A grateful heart knows of compassion, grace and love. An ungrateful heart doesn’t believe others should receive what he has received.
God is in the business of giving life. This morning He wants us to realize His compassion is greater than His judgment. He wants to give us life.
3. Jonah’s Unjust anger v4
4 And the Lord said, “Do you do well to be angry?”
Conclusion: Corrie ten Boom….John Vogel and forgiveness
Video “A Faith Undefeated”
44:05 – 46:56 minute mark
“There was hatred and bitterness in my heart. I remembered how my dying sister had suffered through the cruelties of that man. But, I know from the Bible that hatred means murder in God’s eyes. And I said, ‘O, Father, forgive me, in Jesus name, my hatred.’ And the Lord took it away. And I said, ‘Thank You, Lord Jesus that You have brought into my heart God’s love through the Holy Spirit. Thank You Father that Your love in me is victorious over my hatred.” And at that moment my hatred disappeared and I said, ‘Brother give me your hand, I have forgiven you all.’
Discussion Questions
What does it say about Jonah that he became so angry and displeased?
What reason did Jonah give to God why he first fled to Tarshish? What was the end result he wanted?
And the Lord said, “Do you do well to be angry?” Why?