When Worlds Collide (4 of 5)
Series: Jonah, God’s Unbounded Love
Joe Alain
Jonah 4:1-4
If you've been with us these past weeks, you know the drill: (1) God called Jonah, (2) Jonah ran away, (3) God got Jonah's attention by way of a powerful storm and a great fish, and (4) Jonah went off to Nineveh. In this message, using a series of seven (7) questions, we will explore the collision of worlds between Jonah's world view and a God-centered world view.
Jonah preached God's Word, the people believed God, and a great national revival took place in Nineveh. At this great turning to God you would think that the prophet Jonah would be shouting, but instead he's pouting. ''But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry'' (4:1). How could Jonah be angry over what took place? We could understand if some of the Assyrians who profited from the evil of their citizens were angry, they were losing business. We could understand some of the Assyrian patriots becoming angry that their citizens were turning to the God of their enemies, Israel. But Jonah angry? It's shocking and inexplicable, it's a mystery.
Do musicians and actors get angry when they receive a standing ovation at the Straz? Do the Tampa Bay Bucs players get furious when the cannons fire at a touchdown? Why then is Jonah so angry when he has just preached to the toughest crowd imaginable and they have accepted his message and turned to God? We can think of many things we might get angry about with God. Maybe a disappointment, a personal loss, an illness, a plan that does not work out, but this?
The Theological Problem
What was Jonah's problem? It's revealed in verse 2. ''O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste 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.'' He's basically saying, ''It's good that you are a God of mercy, but this time you've gone too ...
Series: Jonah, God’s Unbounded Love
Joe Alain
Jonah 4:1-4
If you've been with us these past weeks, you know the drill: (1) God called Jonah, (2) Jonah ran away, (3) God got Jonah's attention by way of a powerful storm and a great fish, and (4) Jonah went off to Nineveh. In this message, using a series of seven (7) questions, we will explore the collision of worlds between Jonah's world view and a God-centered world view.
Jonah preached God's Word, the people believed God, and a great national revival took place in Nineveh. At this great turning to God you would think that the prophet Jonah would be shouting, but instead he's pouting. ''But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry'' (4:1). How could Jonah be angry over what took place? We could understand if some of the Assyrians who profited from the evil of their citizens were angry, they were losing business. We could understand some of the Assyrian patriots becoming angry that their citizens were turning to the God of their enemies, Israel. But Jonah angry? It's shocking and inexplicable, it's a mystery.
Do musicians and actors get angry when they receive a standing ovation at the Straz? Do the Tampa Bay Bucs players get furious when the cannons fire at a touchdown? Why then is Jonah so angry when he has just preached to the toughest crowd imaginable and they have accepted his message and turned to God? We can think of many things we might get angry about with God. Maybe a disappointment, a personal loss, an illness, a plan that does not work out, but this?
The Theological Problem
What was Jonah's problem? It's revealed in verse 2. ''O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste 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.'' He's basically saying, ''It's good that you are a God of mercy, but this time you've gone too ...
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