A LESSON FOR JONAH --- AND US

"Then said the LORD, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:  And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?" - Jonah 4:10-11

Jonah's preaching ministry at Nineveh seemed to be very successful.  The people of Nineveh repented and were spared from God's wrath.  Despite the outward results of his preaching, Jonah wasn't happy.  Jonah still had major issues in his heart that needed attention. 

You see, Jonah didn't want to see an awakening in Nineveh.  He was not pleased that the people repented and God spared them.  The fact is that Jonah wanted to see the city destroyed.

Spending time in the belly of a great fish did not completely eradicate Jonah's sinful hatred of Nineveh's people.  Like many of his day, Jonah looked down upon Gentiles as being unworthy of God's blessings.  What he failed to understand is that he, along with the rest of the Jews, was also unworthy of such blessings. 

Jonah wanted to see Nineveh destroyed.  But when God spared the city, Jonah got angry.  It is a foolish thing to get mad at God, but many do.  Jonah was angry because God had mercy on the people of Nineveh.  Jonah wanted to see them destroyed.  Jonah really had some issues, didn't he?

Jonah waited to see what would happen to Nineveh.  Perhaps the people would return to their sinful ways & God would destroy them.  While he sat & watched the city, God caused a great plant to grow.  This plant became a shade for Jonah.  He enjoyed the protection from the sun.  He appreciated the comfortable setting that this plant provided.  Jonah cherished this plant. 

As soon as Jonah began to cherish this plant, God had a worm destroy the plant.  Now the hot, burning sun was causing Jonah to suffer.  Once more, Jonah was angry.  He pouted.  Jonah had lost the comfort of the plant.  He lost something valuable to him. 

God challenged Jonah with these words:  "Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:  And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?"  

The Lord caused Jonah to see that he loved a simple plant far more than he loved the people of Nineveh.  As for God, He cared for the people of Nineveh and had mercy on them when they repented.  

I believe that many Christians today are just like Jonah.  They love the temporal, cheap things of this world far more than the eternal souls of men.  The typical American is passionate about his career, his car, his home, his family, his fiances and his college football team; but he isn't all that bothered that his neighbor is perishing.  He doesn't get concerned about the lost in his community.  He is not troubled about the fact that many people he knows are headed for hell. 

Jonah's viewpoint was tainted with anger, racism and hatred.  God took the necessary steps to clear up his vision and show Jonah the heart of God.

May He do the same with us here in America.