The final chapter of Jonah centers on Jonah’s anger. Jonah 4:1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. Jonah 4:1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. Jonah 4:4 And the LORD said, “Do you do well to be angry?” Jonah 4:4 And the LORD said, “Do you do well to be angry?”

1. Jonah does not go to Nineveh, and he ends up miserable. 2. Jonah does go to Nineveh, and he ends up miserable. The stories have two very different outcomes for God and for Nineveh. The stories have two very different outcomes for God and for Nineveh. The stories have identical outcomes for Jonah. Why? The stories have identical outcomes for Jonah. Why?

Jonah 4:2 “Is not this what I said …” Jonah says, “I told you so.” Jonah says, “I told you so.” Jonah justifies his prior disobedience. Jonah justifies his prior disobedience. Compare: Matthew 25:24-25 “He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’” Compare: Matthew 25:24-25 “He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’”

Jonah 4:2 “I knew that you are a gracious God …” Jonah’s frustration does not come from his ignorance of God, but from his knowledge. Jonah’s frustration does not come from his ignorance of God, but from his knowledge. Jonah knows God’s character, but wishes it were different. Jonah knows God’s character, but wishes it were different. You cannot love the idea of god and hate the character of God. You cannot love the idea of god and hate the character of God.

Jonah 4:3 “It is better for me to die than to live” Complaint = God isn’t getting it right Complaint = God isn’t getting it right Despair = God isn’t going to get it right Despair = God isn’t going to get it right Jonah is honest about what complaining really means. Jonah is honest about what complaining really means. Complaint is our saying to God, “I’d rather not live in this world you have made.” Complaint is our saying to God, “I’d rather not live in this world you have made.”

Jonah 4:5-11 Ultimately, Jonah cannot be happy for Nineveh or God because he is only thinking of himself. Ultimately, Jonah cannot be happy for Nineveh or God because he is only thinking of himself. Compare: Luke 15:25-32 “… Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him! …” Compare: Luke 15:25-32 “… Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him! …”

Our response to God’s work is an important choice. Matthew 21:42-44 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.” Matthew 21:42-44 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.” Find Joy In God Or Be Crushed Find Joy In God Or Be Crushed