Slideshow image
Save to your Calendar

Scripture Lesson: 1 Kings 19:1-7

 

Jonah

Judgy Jonah

Week #4

 

Recap what has happened so far in the story. Ninevah has repented and Jonah should be ecstatic, but instead…

 

  1. Jonah was displeased and angry.

 

But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. – Jonah 4:1

 

  1. Jonah “prayed” to the Lord.

 

He prayed to the Lord, “O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee 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. Now, O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” – Jonah 4:2-3

 

  1. God continues to be patient with Jonah.

 

But the Lord replied, “Have you any right to be angry?” – Jonah 4:4

 

God tries to engage Jonah in a conversation…

 

  1. Jonah does what Jonah does…

 

Jonah went 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. – Jonah 4:5

 

So good – Jonah runs again this time to the outside of the city to watch what will happen.

 

  1. And God does what God does…

 

Then the Lord God provided a vine and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the vine. But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the vine so that it withered. When 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.” – Jonah 4:6-8

Instead of wiping out an unrepentant arrogant Jonah God takes an opportunity to teach him.

 

  1. Jonah still doesn’t get it.

 

But God said to Jonah, “Do you have a right to be angry about the vine?”

“I do,” he said. “I am angry enough to die.”  But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?” – Jonah 4:9-11

 

Jonah can’t get past the fact that God’s grace is for everyone.

 

Points To Ponder

 

  1. What was the main reason for Jonah’s anger? With whom was he angry?

 

  1. How did Jonah handle his anger? Why did he run from God the first time he was told to go to Nineveh? What does Jonah believe about God? (v3) Do you think Jonah really wanted to die? Why or why not? How would you describe Jonah’s behavior?

 

  1. What three things did God provide Jonah? (vv 6-8) Did Jonah have a right to be angry about God sparing Nineveh? When have you experienced anger towards God? How did this affect your outlook? How can we resolve our anger towards God?

 

 

 

Homework: 2 Corinthians 8

 

 

 

 

 

Register