"This change of plans greatly upset Jonah and he became very angry." (Jonah 4:1 NLT)
This verse comes with questions. What change of plans? Why was Jonah angry? And how do we react when plans change?
If we flip back just one chapter, we’ll find the event that flabbergasted Jonah. The city of Nineveh had received God’s message, repented and called on God for mercy. God altered His plans. His heart was moved from judgement to mercy because the Ninevites had responded to His word in godly sorrow and faith. It hurts to think that Jonah the prophet was put out over people returning to the Lord. And yet, clearly he was.
Jonah wasn’t simply annoyed over this change in direction. He was very angry. The ESV says ‘exceedingly displeased’. He’s so bitter about it that he complains to the Lord: “This is why I ran to Tarshish. I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager turn back from a destroying people” (Jonah 4:2)
It seems to me that Jonah was ret-conning his experienced, insisting that he hadn’t run in fear but actually in hate. (spoiler; hatred’s not a better motive!) Jonah had such deep distaste for Nineveh that he couldn’t stand to participate in their salvation. This actually isn’t shocking; Nineveh was the capital of Assyria; the very empire that was gaining strength and would eventually invade and devastate Judah. Friends, this is a prophet of God gunning for the destruction of an entire city because he believed they were beyond hope.
Which brings me to my last question. What do we do when plans change? How do we respond when God has a different way for us to go? Are we angry? Inflexible? Unforgiving? Or do we trust that God’s way really are higher than ours? Do we agree that His love is far greater than our capacity for affection? It would seem that God rearranges with eternity in mind. He alone knows the condition of the souls we come in contact with. If He’s repositioning it’s because a new opportunity to win someone into the Kingdom has presented itself. And He delights in our cooperation in the matter he’s most concerned with.
One final thought: if God’s priority is people, then shouldn’t they become our priority as well? In the infamous lyrics of Veggie Tales: “Jonah was a prophet, but he never really got it.” He didn’t quite catch God’s heart. He couldn’t comprehend a God who would rather save than destroy. God would rather come near than banish. He’d rather forgive than forsake. Do we get it? Have we gained His heart yet? Do we understand what this whole gospel situation is about? Or are we still hoping some people get smited because they really, really deserve it? It is ironic; the very same mercy that saved Jonah from the fish was offered to Nineveh. Mercy is mercy. We’re all in dire need.
"He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy." (Titus 3:5 NLT)
Lord, today we recognize our own reluctance to offer mercy to our enemies. Forgive us. Free us from our opinions about who deserves salvation and who does not. We know all have sinned and fallen short, yet mercy is the divine objective. The highest aim for our enemies is that they would become friends of God. May we champion this effort as we learn to walk in agreement with Your agenda for mankind. Amen.