Anger vs. Compassion – Jonah 4:3-5

What this episode covers

Instead of dealing with a wicked people as Jonah thought He should, the Lord uses this occasion to discipline His servant. How often does our self-justified condemnation of others serve as a convenient smoke screen for our own sin? Issues with others are exploited as useful means to divert attention from the plank in our own eye. These 3 verses illustrate a principle in scripture which I believe is the Biblical answer to the perennial question of theodicy: “How could an all-powerful and loving God exist given all the evil in the world? Answer: “God has chosen to manifest His glory by reflection and by contrast.” Why does the book of Jonah end in this seemingly anti-climatic fashion? It seems the most obvious answer is to magnify this principle of providence; that God uses sin itself (even our own) to display His grace and mercy by glorious contrast. This was true in the case of the corporate example of Nineveh and the individual example of Jonah. Jonah begrudgingly and truthfully acknowledges this when he confesses in verse 2: “I knew that You were a gracious God and merciful...” Consider this feature of the book of Jonah alongside the all-too-common misconception that the “God of the Old Testament” is some kind of vindictive, judgmental, tyrant while Jesus of the New Testament is a poster child of hippie values championing unconditional sentimental love. This message is not unique to Jonah! Consider the allusions associated with these 3 verses...

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