Jonah 3:10-4:10

1. Jonah 3:10-4:10 10When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened. 4 1 But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. 2He prayed to the Lord, ‘Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. 3Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.’

2. Jonah 3:10-4:10 4But the Lord replied, ‘Is it right for you to be angry?’ 5 Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. 6Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. 7But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered.

3. Jonah 3:10-4:10 8When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, ‘It would be better for me to die than to live.’ 9 But God said to Jonah, ‘Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?’ ‘It is,’ he said. ‘And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.’ 10 But the Lord said, ‘You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight.

4. His personal honour Jonah 3: 10 to 4:10 The Surprise of Grace Jonah ran away from the Lord 1:3 Throw me into the sea 1:12 The Lord provided a great fish to swallow Jonah 2:17 Salvation comes from the Lord 2:9 The Lord commanded the fish and it vomited Jonah onto dry land 2:10

5. Introduction It is a historical story; Jesus mentioned both Jonah and the people of Nineveh in his ministry Matthew 12:39 to 42 The story of Jonah is familiar yet there are many profound themes in the book such as the universality of God’s grace Jonah was to preach repentance to people outside of Israel

6. Jonah had a problem with God’s grace He was not happy to go to Nineveh and decided to run away 1:3 He was aware of God’s anger but was not aware of God’s universal grace 1:12 While in the belly of the fish he declared that salvation comes from the Lord 2:9 God gave him a second chance but Jonah did not change

7. Jonah was upset because the people of Nineveh repented He responded to God’s second invitation 3:3 He had a problem that God is gracious and compassionate; hoped for destruction rather than salvation 4:1-2 He did not focus on what was valuable in life; he wished to die 4:3

8. God helped Jonah to overcome his problems God challenged Jonah: Do you have good reasons to be angry? 4:9 God helped Jonah understand the universality of grace, a plant ‘a vine’ was the ultimate message of God God drew an illustration: Jonah’s compassion for the plant and God’s compassion on the people Did Jonah learn the lesson? It seemed yes because he listened to the message and did not protest any more.

9. Conclusion We should not be like Jonah We should set the priorities well We may forget our task or exclude those whom we do not like We may not be thrown into the sea but we may lose our joy