“The last word is God’s”
Doest thou well to be angry? —Jonah 4:9
Read Jonah 4:5-11 The book of Jonah has shown us the inclination of human nature: to sin, be self-willed, and prideful. The book closes with a symphony of grace and mercy. In our text, the Lord taught Jonah a valuable lesson. The prophet had to preach; just as Balaam, he could not avoid God’s command. Jonah was forced to be a missionary against his will, for he would have rather let the Ninevites perish.
God’s will, on the other hand, was that those heathens would be saved. Jonah had to learn that God is the Lord of all who fear Him! When the prophet saw that the Lord was gracious and merciful, he became angry. Thankfully, Jonah did not have the last word; the Lord did, and it was full of compassion. His mercy be-comes greater and more incomprehensible when we consider Bethlehem’s manger and Golgotha’s cross. We have a God who forgives those who do not know what they are doing. We have a Father who with such deep love, did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up unto death so that whoso-ever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Jonah’s life came to an end, but the Greater than Jonah lives! The invitation is extended to everyone: Give me your heart. What is your answer?
Can you explain Jonah’s attitude?