Jonah 4 – RUNNING AGAINST GOD
PROPHET ON THE RUN#4 of 4
Jonah was the prophet on the run.
In chapter 1 he ran away from God.
In chapter 2 he ran back to God.
In chapter 3 he ran for God.
In chapter 4 he ran against God.
JONAH’S FIGHT
God was not fighting Jonah, but Jonah was fighting God. God did not destroy Ninevah, and that’s what Jonah wanted. Because Ninevah repented, God did not destroy the city at that time.
1. His Displeasure Vs. 1
2. His Complaint Vs. 2
3. His Request Vs. 3
Jonah makes a rash request to die, because he is not getting his way.
4. His Watch Vs. 5
Jonah is watching to see if God will change his mind and destroy Ninevah. God had already said that He wouldn’t
GOD’S RESPONSE
1. His Question. Vs. 4
God asks Jonah if he is doing the right thing by getting angry.
The right answer, of course, is “no”.
2. His Object Lesson Vss. 5-9
God provides Jonah a fast growing gourd that protects him from the heat. God sends a worm to destroy the gourd, and Jonah is angry and ready again to die.
3. His Explanation Vss. 10-11
God explains that Jonah cared about the gourd that was there for a day and gone for a day. Jonah had done no labor to receive the blessing of the gourd.
God then says “Why shouldn’t I have compassion on Ninevah, which has many people and much cattle?”