June 12, 2016

Jonah Unanswered Question

7 But God also arranged for a worm!

18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18

The next morning at dawn the worm ate through the stem of the plant so that it withered away.

God arranged for a scorching east wind 8 And as the sun grew hot, God arranged for a scorching east wind to blow on Jonah.

As He had done in the depths of the sea, God was reminding Jonah of what it was like to be lost:

As He had done in the depths of the sea, God was reminding Jonah of what it was like to be lost: helpless, hopeless, miserable.

As He had done in the depths of the sea, God was reminding Jonah of what it was like to be lost: helpless, hopeless, miserable. Jonah was experiencing a taste of hell as he sat and watched the city. Unknown

8 …The sun beat down on his head until he grew faint and wished to die. “Death is certainly better than living like this!” he exclaimed.

While in the great fish, [Jonah] prayed to be delivered – but now he asks the Lord to kill him.

He called [Nineveh] to repentance, but he wouldn’t repent himself.

He was more concerned about creature comforts than he was about winning the lost.

The Ninevites, the vine, the worm, and the wind all obeyed God, but Jonah refuses to obey, and he has the most to gain. W. Wiersbe

“Is it right for you to be angry because the plant died?” 9 Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry because the plant died?”

“Is it right for you to be angry because the plant died?” 9 Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry because the plant died?” “Yes,” Jonah retorted, “even angry enough to die!”

“You feel sorry about the plant, 10 Then the Lord said, “You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there. It came quickly and died quickly.

[who cannot discern between their right hand and their left] 11 But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, [who cannot discern between their right hand and their left] not to mention all the animals.

Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?”

What Next? In Chapter 1, Jonah learned the lesson of God’s providence and patience – that you cannot run away from God.

What Next? In Chapter 1, Jonah learned the lesson of God’s providence and patience – that you cannot run away from God. In Chapter 2, he learned the lesson of God’s pardon, that God forgives those who call on him.

What Next? In Chapter 3, Jonah learned the lesson of God’s power as he saw a whole city humble itself before the Lord.

What Next? In Chapter 3, Jonah learned the lesson of God’s power as he saw a whole city humble itself before the Lord. Jonah also had to learn the lesson of God’s pity, that God has compassion on lost sinners…and that His servants must also have compassion.

Jonah looked down on Nineveh and What Next? Jonah looked down on Nineveh and seethed with anger.

What Next? Jonah looked down on Nineveh and seethed with anger. Jesus looked on Jerusalem – a city that, in a few days would crucify Him – with compassion, and wept.

What Next? We need to learn the lesson of God’s pity and have a heart of compassion for lost souls.

Make Me a Blessing 452