WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:29.980 Imagine a professional musician who didn't like music. Imagine a former one mechanic that didn't like cars. Imagine a baker who doesn't like cakes. Imagine an athlete who doesn't like running. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:50.620 Imagine a Canadian who doesn't like ice hockey. Imagine a prophet that doesn't like God's grace. That's Jonah 4. That is Jonah 4. Can you imagine a prophet making a case against God's mercy? 00:00:51.619 --> 00:01:07.519 Well Jonah is so upset. He is so upset that he wants God to give him his P45 to fire him. He wants out of a prophet. He's so depressed that verse 3 he wants out of life. 00:01:07.519 --> 00:01:18.259 Therefore O Lord please take my life from me. For it is better for me to die than to live. 00:01:18.260 --> 00:01:29.300 Apparently that's the only way that he can get out of being a prophet. Grace has ruined Jonah's ministry. 00:01:31.200 --> 00:01:37.860 And so what God does in chapter 4 is God opens a school and he begins to tutor Jonah one on one. 00:01:37.859 --> 00:01:45.299 And the message of Jonah chapter 4 is really summed up in the words of Exodus 33 verse 19. 00:01:46.859 --> 00:01:48.599 These are the words of Exodus 33 verse 19. 00:01:48.739 --> 00:01:51.840 I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious. 00:01:52.859 --> 00:01:57.099 And I will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 00:01:57.099 --> 00:02:01.979 That's the theme of Jonah chapter 4. 00:02:02.759 --> 00:02:06.359 And I want to show you three scenes in the chapter. 00:02:06.500 --> 00:02:08.299 First of all the disgusted servant. 00:02:09.579 --> 00:02:13.219 And the key part of scene 1 is the character of God. 00:02:14.019 --> 00:02:15.199 The disgusted servant. 00:02:15.459 --> 00:02:16.780 Look at verse 1. 00:02:18.060 --> 00:02:22.120 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly. 00:02:23.500 --> 00:02:24.799 And he was angry. 00:02:24.800 --> 00:02:30.920 A better translation of that is it displeased Jonah greatly. 00:02:32.260 --> 00:02:33.360 And he was angry. 00:02:34.560 --> 00:02:38.560 One of the things that you notice as you go through the book of Jonah is you've got to keep an eye on the grids. 00:02:39.900 --> 00:02:41.880 I've only seen that I think this week really. 00:02:43.020 --> 00:02:45.880 But all the way from Jonah is there's lots of grids aren't there? 00:02:46.439 --> 00:02:47.820 Chapter 1 you've got a great wind. 00:02:48.000 --> 00:02:48.860 You've got a great storm. 00:02:51.180 --> 00:02:53.260 In chapter 1 verse 17 you've got a great fish. 00:02:53.259 --> 00:02:57.399 In chapter 3 you've got a great city. 00:02:58.579 --> 00:03:01.639 And then you've got great distress. 00:03:03.259 --> 00:03:05.579 In chapter 4 and verse 1. 00:03:07.179 --> 00:03:11.759 And notice the expression of disgust that Jonah makes. 00:03:11.759 --> 00:03:19.299 But before you jump all over him and kind of as lots of commentaries do kind of give Jonah a bit of a kick in. 00:03:19.899 --> 00:03:20.759 Look at verse 2. 00:03:22.759 --> 00:03:24.359 He's greatly displeased. 00:03:25.060 --> 00:03:26.120 And he is angry. 00:03:26.479 --> 00:03:26.799 Verse 2. 00:03:26.879 --> 00:03:27.899 And he prayed to the Lord. 00:03:29.219 --> 00:03:30.739 And he prayed to the Lord. 00:03:30.740 --> 00:03:33.980 The thing I really like about Jonah. 00:03:35.020 --> 00:03:37.879 Is that there's really refreshing candour about him. 00:03:38.520 --> 00:03:40.080 He's really straightforward. 00:03:41.240 --> 00:03:43.260 He's a very open character. 00:03:44.320 --> 00:03:46.140 And this disgusts him. 00:03:46.939 --> 00:03:47.860 What God has done. 00:03:49.560 --> 00:03:54.219 It disgusts him that the disaster that was going to come on the Assyrians has been avoided. 00:03:55.139 --> 00:03:56.659 Nineveh is going to get off. 00:03:57.460 --> 00:03:59.520 And he is upset about that. 00:04:01.120 --> 00:04:02.960 But notice that he takes it to God. 00:04:04.340 --> 00:04:07.819 He doesn't moan over coffee and tea to his friends. 00:04:07.919 --> 00:04:08.719 He doesn't send an email. 00:04:09.860 --> 00:04:13.419 He doesn't unload it on unsuspecting prayer partners. 00:04:15.699 --> 00:04:17.060 He takes it to God. 00:04:18.579 --> 00:04:21.759 You take your problems with God to God. 00:04:21.759 --> 00:04:23.740 And that's where he goes. 00:04:23.819 --> 00:04:26.480 And so I do think we have to give Jonah some credit. 00:04:27.620 --> 00:04:30.199 So what was the reason for his disgust? 00:04:30.300 --> 00:04:31.240 Look at what he says in verse 3. 00:04:31.319 --> 00:04:32.240 He prayed to the Lord and he said. 00:04:32.319 --> 00:04:34.699 Oh Lord is not this what I said? 00:04:35.240 --> 00:04:38.500 Is not this what I said when I was yet in my concern? 00:04:40.019 --> 00:04:42.120 And I think it helps us to see behind the book. 00:04:42.180 --> 00:04:44.980 And it certainly helps us to explain chapter 1 in verse 3. 00:04:45.319 --> 00:04:47.980 Where Jonah ran away from Nineveh to go to Tarshish. 00:04:48.759 --> 00:04:50.560 Why was Jonah so angry? 00:04:50.560 --> 00:04:54.199 Jonah was so angry because Nineveh was going to be spared. 00:04:55.079 --> 00:04:57.360 And Jonah did not want Nineveh to be spared. 00:04:57.519 --> 00:05:00.100 You can say that on the basis of the text. 00:05:02.280 --> 00:05:06.300 But why didn't Jonah want Nineveh to be spared? 00:05:08.000 --> 00:05:09.800 And there are all sorts of reasons given. 00:05:10.360 --> 00:05:11.199 If you read the commentators. 00:05:11.199 --> 00:05:18.240 What do we know about why Jonah doesn't want Nineveh to be spared? 00:05:19.439 --> 00:05:21.019 That's the cause of his anger. 00:05:21.360 --> 00:05:22.159 But why? 00:05:22.879 --> 00:05:24.459 And I think that's quite a difficult question. 00:05:24.599 --> 00:05:26.219 I'm not sure that we know. 00:05:27.599 --> 00:05:28.800 And there are some proposals. 00:05:29.339 --> 00:05:32.079 Jonah is kind of suffering from a narrow exclusivism. 00:05:32.079 --> 00:05:37.979 That wants to withhold God's blessing and God's covenant from the nations. 00:05:39.240 --> 00:05:41.279 He's representative of Israel. 00:05:41.399 --> 00:05:42.060 Commenting to say. 00:05:42.199 --> 00:05:45.039 And they don't want the blessings of God to go to anyone else. 00:05:45.379 --> 00:05:47.379 He's a selfish man and he's a bigot. 00:05:48.659 --> 00:05:50.360 I think there's some strength for that case. 00:05:51.019 --> 00:05:52.539 It's very common to hold that behind. 00:05:52.540 --> 00:05:54.580 But I'm actually not sure about it. 00:05:54.600 --> 00:05:55.740 It's when you study Jonah 4. 00:05:57.300 --> 00:06:00.060 Nineveh kind of representing the pagan nations. 00:06:01.640 --> 00:06:04.500 So one theory is that the book of Jonah is all about world mission. 00:06:05.780 --> 00:06:10.240 How God will take his message of grace to the nations. 00:06:11.740 --> 00:06:13.480 And again I've got somebody with that view. 00:06:13.700 --> 00:06:15.180 But I'm not totally convinced. 00:06:16.500 --> 00:06:20.280 And the reason why I'm not totally convinced of that is. 00:06:20.279 --> 00:06:22.859 If the focus was mission. 00:06:23.579 --> 00:06:27.959 If the focus was all on getting the word of the gospel out to the other nations. 00:06:28.119 --> 00:06:29.319 And mercy to the nations. 00:06:29.719 --> 00:06:31.279 Why didn't God just use someone else? 00:06:33.619 --> 00:06:35.359 Why didn't God just use someone else? 00:06:37.139 --> 00:06:38.539 There would be other prophets. 00:06:39.559 --> 00:06:41.559 There would be other people that could go. 00:06:43.939 --> 00:06:48.379 Why does God pursue Jonah even after he'd run away? 00:06:48.379 --> 00:06:55.100 And it seems to me the book of Jonah is about Jonah. 00:06:57.019 --> 00:07:00.379 And the book keeps focusing on the prophet. 00:07:01.819 --> 00:07:03.579 The book is concerned with Jonah. 00:07:03.699 --> 00:07:05.040 It's so obvious isn't it? 00:07:06.360 --> 00:07:09.279 But actually we missed the obvious thing. 00:07:10.959 --> 00:07:12.300 Other reasons that people give. 00:07:12.579 --> 00:07:14.439 And for Jonah not wanting the service to be saved. 00:07:14.939 --> 00:07:16.779 Jonah is going to appear to be a false prophet. 00:07:16.779 --> 00:07:20.039 He's gone to Assyria and saved six weeks and you're done. 00:07:20.579 --> 00:07:21.879 Six weeks and you're cooked. 00:07:22.799 --> 00:07:25.879 And he said they think that God's reputation will suffer. 00:07:26.199 --> 00:07:28.059 Because God promises to do one thing. 00:07:28.639 --> 00:07:30.059 And God doesn't do it. 00:07:30.439 --> 00:07:31.500 And so Jonah is annoyed about that. 00:07:31.559 --> 00:07:32.139 In Jonah 4. 00:07:33.459 --> 00:07:36.099 Another view is that their political motivation. 00:07:36.299 --> 00:07:38.079 Assyria might crush them. 00:07:39.119 --> 00:07:40.459 It was an opposing country. 00:07:40.459 --> 00:07:46.259 One last one is that Assyrian repentance might not last. 00:07:47.319 --> 00:07:48.120 Look at one more. 00:07:48.439 --> 00:07:51.839 Assyrian judgment might cause Israel to wake up to the Lord. 00:07:53.459 --> 00:07:57.479 Now again I think all those positions have got some strengths. 00:07:58.819 --> 00:08:00.560 But we've got to focus on what is clear. 00:08:00.560 --> 00:08:07.379 What is clear in Jonah 4 is Jonah is exceedingly angry. 00:08:09.100 --> 00:08:10.740 Over God's mercy to Nineveh. 00:08:12.439 --> 00:08:14.399 But we don't know exactly why that is. 00:08:15.540 --> 00:08:16.500 We don't really know. 00:08:17.100 --> 00:08:18.160 Despite what people tell you. 00:08:19.199 --> 00:08:21.420 The straightforward claim of the text. 00:08:21.620 --> 00:08:25.100 Is that Jonah did not like God's way. 00:08:25.560 --> 00:08:26.660 Of being God. 00:08:26.660 --> 00:08:31.040 And here's where the rub is. 00:08:31.140 --> 00:08:33.120 Notice the irony of his disgust. 00:08:34.740 --> 00:08:35.279 Can you see that? 00:08:35.360 --> 00:08:36.259 In verse 2. 00:08:36.779 --> 00:08:39.160 He quotes that creedal statement. 00:08:39.300 --> 00:08:41.139 That we talked to the children about. 00:08:42.300 --> 00:08:43.080 He says. 00:08:43.940 --> 00:08:45.120 For I knew. 00:08:45.639 --> 00:08:47.620 That you are a gracious God. 00:08:48.240 --> 00:08:49.220 And merciful. 00:08:50.120 --> 00:08:51.740 And slow to anger. 00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:54.440 And abounding in steadfast love. 00:08:54.519 --> 00:08:56.060 Relenting from disaster. 00:08:57.059 --> 00:08:58.159 What Jonah does there. 00:08:58.240 --> 00:09:00.179 Is he goes back to Exodus chapter 34. 00:09:00.360 --> 00:09:01.360 Verses 6 and 7. 00:09:02.079 --> 00:09:02.879 They're great verses. 00:09:03.659 --> 00:09:04.980 Just come back there with me. 00:09:05.059 --> 00:09:06.819 Keep a finger in Jonah 4. 00:09:07.100 --> 00:09:09.240 But come back to Exodus chapter 34. 00:09:09.639 --> 00:09:10.779 And what you have. 00:09:11.240 --> 00:09:13.339 Is that proclamation by the Lord himself. 00:09:14.679 --> 00:09:16.059 Exodus 34 verse 6. 00:09:16.120 --> 00:09:18.159 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed to Moses. 00:09:18.539 --> 00:09:19.039 The Lord. 00:09:19.159 --> 00:09:19.659 The Lord. 00:09:20.399 --> 00:09:21.220 A God. 00:09:21.720 --> 00:09:22.740 Merciful and gracious. 00:09:22.899 --> 00:09:23.480 Slow to anger. 00:09:23.600 --> 00:09:25.159 And abounding in steadfast love. 00:09:25.159 --> 00:09:27.439 Keeping steadfast love for thousands. 00:09:27.620 --> 00:09:29.759 Forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. 00:09:30.139 --> 00:09:31.879 But who have by no means cleared the guilty. 00:09:32.319 --> 00:09:34.379 Visiting the iniquity of the fathers of the children. 00:09:34.459 --> 00:09:35.360 And the children's children. 00:09:35.480 --> 00:09:36.860 To the third and fourth generation. 00:09:36.980 --> 00:09:37.839 It's a creed. 00:09:37.840 --> 00:09:41.259 And in many ways. 00:09:41.340 --> 00:09:43.460 Jonah goes back and quotes that. 00:09:47.460 --> 00:09:48.500 But not only that. 00:09:48.500 --> 00:09:49.300 Exodus 34. 00:09:49.500 --> 00:09:51.120 36 and 7. 00:09:51.240 --> 00:09:53.759 They are like the source passage of the creed. 00:09:53.940 --> 00:09:55.580 That's where the creed is given in full. 00:09:55.580 --> 00:10:00.600 But it's also given in eight other places in the Old Testament. 00:10:00.720 --> 00:10:01.960 I've written the references on your sheet. 00:10:02.759 --> 00:10:03.840 Numbers 14, 18. 00:10:04.300 --> 00:10:05.400 John 2, 13. 00:10:05.560 --> 00:10:07.420 Nehemiah 9, 17 and 31. 00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:08.879 Psalm 8, 6, 15. 00:10:09.379 --> 00:10:10.620 103 verse 8. 00:10:10.700 --> 00:10:12.120 145 verse 8. 00:10:12.639 --> 00:10:14.920 And probably 2 Chronicles 13 verse 9. 00:10:14.919 --> 00:10:17.459 So there's eight or nine uses. 00:10:17.899 --> 00:10:19.079 Of that creed. 00:10:19.159 --> 00:10:20.079 From Exodus 34. 00:10:20.539 --> 00:10:21.779 In the rest of the Old Testament. 00:10:23.319 --> 00:10:24.679 And Exodus 34. 00:10:24.819 --> 00:10:25.599 Verses 6 and 7. 00:10:25.659 --> 00:10:26.779 That is the Fountain Text. 00:10:28.120 --> 00:10:29.339 Now what is important. 00:10:29.779 --> 00:10:30.539 For you to understand. 00:10:30.639 --> 00:10:31.319 For me to understand. 00:10:31.519 --> 00:10:32.079 Is that. 00:10:32.860 --> 00:10:33.919 Exodus 34. 00:10:34.159 --> 00:10:36.120 Comes after Exodus 33 and 32. 00:10:36.479 --> 00:10:36.639 Alright. 00:10:37.240 --> 00:10:38.179 It's one section. 00:10:39.459 --> 00:10:40.399 And Exodus 32. 00:10:40.599 --> 00:10:41.059 You know. 00:10:41.120 --> 00:10:42.039 You know that section. 00:10:42.039 --> 00:10:43.719 Because it tells you about the golden calf. 00:10:45.519 --> 00:10:47.539 And then in chapter 32 and 33. 00:10:47.779 --> 00:10:48.819 You've got this really. 00:10:50.079 --> 00:10:50.519 Arduous. 00:10:52.039 --> 00:10:52.519 Straining. 00:10:53.000 --> 00:10:53.939 Intersection of Moses. 00:10:54.120 --> 00:10:55.599 Moses is speaking to God. 00:10:55.779 --> 00:10:57.360 Pleading with God for the people. 00:10:58.339 --> 00:11:00.240 And finally you get to Exodus 34. 00:11:00.539 --> 00:11:01.279 And you understand. 00:11:01.500 --> 00:11:02.959 God is going to renew the covenant. 00:11:03.079 --> 00:11:03.759 It's not all over. 00:11:05.620 --> 00:11:07.099 Yahweh will renew the covenant. 00:11:07.799 --> 00:11:10.319 And so when you hear those words in Exodus 34. 00:11:10.319 --> 00:11:12.480 You hear that he forgives iniquity. 00:11:12.480 --> 00:11:15.100 And he's slow to anger. 00:11:15.980 --> 00:11:17.399 And he forgives rebellion. 00:11:17.639 --> 00:11:19.639 And sin to a thousand generations. 00:11:20.720 --> 00:11:22.000 And what you've got to understand. 00:11:22.200 --> 00:11:24.240 Is that he's speaking there to calf worshippers. 00:11:25.440 --> 00:11:26.500 That shouldn't be. 00:11:28.100 --> 00:11:29.639 What a God is he. 00:11:30.600 --> 00:11:32.820 It's the miracle of his own nature. 00:11:32.980 --> 00:11:34.039 That is the root. 00:11:35.220 --> 00:11:37.460 That he is a God who forgives. 00:11:37.460 --> 00:11:42.220 And the Old Testament picks that up again and again and again and again. 00:11:43.800 --> 00:11:44.759 And the interesting thing. 00:11:44.840 --> 00:11:47.240 When the Old Testament picks up that creed. 00:11:47.519 --> 00:11:50.120 It applies it in certain definite ways. 00:11:50.120 --> 00:11:55.560 So it's made to the basis of an appeal in prayer. 00:11:55.779 --> 00:11:56.960 So in Numbers chapter 14. 00:11:57.060 --> 00:11:57.919 And in Psalm 86. 00:12:00.620 --> 00:12:02.200 That creed is taken. 00:12:02.340 --> 00:12:04.100 And it's used as a basis of prayer. 00:12:04.200 --> 00:12:05.740 Lord this is what you've revealed yourself. 00:12:05.820 --> 00:12:06.840 This is what you're like. 00:12:07.179 --> 00:12:09.419 And so I pray that you would do this. 00:12:11.639 --> 00:12:13.899 Or it's made material for praise. 00:12:13.899 --> 00:12:15.559 So Nehemiah 9. 00:12:15.740 --> 00:12:16.819 Or Psalm 103. 00:12:17.919 --> 00:12:18.899 Or Psalm 145. 00:12:19.939 --> 00:12:21.579 Saying this is what you are like. 00:12:21.679 --> 00:12:22.500 You are the Lord. 00:12:22.579 --> 00:12:24.199 The Lord merciful and gracious. 00:12:24.419 --> 00:12:25.179 And we praise you. 00:12:25.259 --> 00:12:26.039 And we worship you. 00:12:27.600 --> 00:12:30.059 Or it's given as an incentive for repentance. 00:12:30.459 --> 00:12:32.220 Joel 2 verse 13. 00:12:32.539 --> 00:12:33.959 And 2 Chronicles 30. 00:12:34.360 --> 00:12:35.919 Saying this is what you are like Lord. 00:12:35.959 --> 00:12:37.019 And so we repent. 00:12:37.139 --> 00:12:38.340 We turn from our sin. 00:12:40.019 --> 00:12:41.679 But Joel chapter 4 verse 2. 00:12:41.679 --> 00:12:42.539 Is really unique. 00:12:43.899 --> 00:12:45.879 Because it's a complaint. 00:12:47.559 --> 00:12:51.159 It goes against the way that the text should be used. 00:12:52.159 --> 00:12:56.259 It goes against what God was intending for Moses to understand. 00:12:57.559 --> 00:13:00.039 It goes against the intended use of the text. 00:13:00.419 --> 00:13:01.519 It is not for praise. 00:13:01.939 --> 00:13:03.360 It is not an appeal to prayer. 00:13:03.679 --> 00:13:04.879 It's not a call to repentance. 00:13:05.139 --> 00:13:05.899 It's a complaint. 00:13:08.699 --> 00:13:10.919 Why is God that way? 00:13:10.919 --> 00:13:11.919 It's not for praise. 00:13:13.919 --> 00:13:14.579 It's not for praise. 00:13:14.580 --> 00:13:14.920 Jonah is doing. 00:13:15.000 --> 00:13:15.620 It's like. 00:13:16.780 --> 00:13:17.700 You come around my house. 00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:20.240 And I'm hammering a nail into the wall. 00:13:20.460 --> 00:13:22.820 But I'm hammering a nail into the wall with a shovel. 00:13:24.600 --> 00:13:25.680 It might work. 00:13:25.740 --> 00:13:26.200 It might not. 00:13:26.440 --> 00:13:28.980 If you hit the nail in the right place with the shovel. 00:13:29.160 --> 00:13:31.360 But that's not what the shovel was intended for. 00:13:32.420 --> 00:13:34.139 You might just get the nail into the wood. 00:13:34.240 --> 00:13:36.280 But it's not what the shovel was intended for. 00:13:36.279 --> 00:13:41.139 And so Jonah uses this creed complaining about God. 00:13:41.240 --> 00:13:42.639 But that's not what it was intended for. 00:13:43.779 --> 00:13:45.679 It's an ironic sort of thing. 00:13:46.740 --> 00:13:51.399 He's using that truth from Exodus 34 in a way that God never intended it to be used. 00:13:55.000 --> 00:13:57.659 Now the other irony of verse 2. 00:13:57.659 --> 00:14:05.699 Is that it shows you and I that Jonah wasn't deficient in his theology. 00:14:07.219 --> 00:14:10.339 Jonah had quite a good theological mind. 00:14:11.379 --> 00:14:12.259 He knew doctrine. 00:14:12.839 --> 00:14:13.799 His doctrine is correct. 00:14:13.899 --> 00:14:14.879 It is good theology. 00:14:15.419 --> 00:14:18.539 But he doesn't like where his theology leads him. 00:14:21.100 --> 00:14:23.959 And so often if you read sermons on Jonah chapter 4. 00:14:24.059 --> 00:14:27.519 They will say the problem is Jonah needs a heart for people. 00:14:28.659 --> 00:14:30.299 Lots of sermons say this. 00:14:30.939 --> 00:14:32.059 He needs a heart for people. 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:35.659 Not this sterile theology and doctrine. 00:14:35.819 --> 00:14:37.959 But they're not actually reading what it says. 00:14:39.199 --> 00:14:42.860 It was his theology that scared Jonah. 00:14:43.919 --> 00:14:49.539 It was his orthodox doctrine about God that made him uneasy. 00:14:49.699 --> 00:14:51.059 Because you can see where it led him. 00:14:52.480 --> 00:14:54.539 If God is like this. 00:14:54.539 --> 00:14:58.339 If he is gracious and merciful and slow down. 00:14:58.459 --> 00:14:59.959 And abandoning in steadfast love. 00:15:00.099 --> 00:15:02.179 And relenting from disaster. 00:15:03.179 --> 00:15:04.659 If God is like that. 00:15:04.919 --> 00:15:08.980 He's going to act in a certain way for people like Eve and Nineveh. 00:15:08.980 --> 00:15:11.279 And I don't like it. 00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:18.240 It was what he knew rightly of God that disturbed him. 00:15:19.740 --> 00:15:25.139 He knew what the implications were for the way you should think of people for instance. 00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:27.779 His doctrine is correct. 00:15:27.779 --> 00:15:28.360 His doctrine is correct. 00:15:28.360 --> 00:15:29.919 And it makes him uneasy. 00:15:31.699 --> 00:15:33.059 So what's the problem? 00:15:34.220 --> 00:15:35.659 The problem is. 00:15:35.939 --> 00:15:37.199 With his doctrine. 00:15:37.419 --> 00:15:39.740 Is that it hasn't reached his attitude. 00:15:39.899 --> 00:15:40.159 Has it? 00:15:40.159 --> 00:15:43.279 All theology. 00:15:44.539 --> 00:15:46.480 Should be trickled down theology. 00:15:48.339 --> 00:15:50.159 All truth about God. 00:15:50.379 --> 00:15:51.319 Should be trickled down. 00:15:51.439 --> 00:15:54.399 It should come down to the pores of your soul. 00:15:54.539 --> 00:15:56.059 And it should infect you. 00:15:57.219 --> 00:15:59.439 It should never just stay up there. 00:16:00.939 --> 00:16:02.339 And there was a gap wasn't there. 00:16:02.339 --> 00:16:04.360 Between what he knows of God and his attitude. 00:16:05.079 --> 00:16:06.139 And the problem is. 00:16:06.199 --> 00:16:08.360 His doctrine has not created delight in him. 00:16:08.360 --> 00:16:11.680 It should affect his thinking. 00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:13.000 All theology. 00:16:14.440 --> 00:16:16.500 Should affect your thinking and your doing. 00:16:19.600 --> 00:16:21.860 I saw this cartoon this week. 00:16:23.480 --> 00:16:24.360 Linus and Lucy. 00:16:24.440 --> 00:16:25.159 You know in Charlie Brown. 00:16:26.039 --> 00:16:26.940 Linus and Lucy. 00:16:27.080 --> 00:16:28.220 They are looking out of a window. 00:16:28.460 --> 00:16:30.220 And it's shutting down with rain. 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:32.560 And Lucy says. 00:16:32.840 --> 00:16:33.340 Wow. 00:16:33.920 --> 00:16:35.019 Look at it rain. 00:16:35.700 --> 00:16:37.420 What if it floods the whole world? 00:16:39.060 --> 00:16:39.899 And Linus says. 00:16:39.960 --> 00:16:40.919 It could never do that. 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:42.340 Because in Genesis chapter 9. 00:16:42.440 --> 00:16:43.300 God promised nowhere. 00:16:43.399 --> 00:16:44.700 That would never happen again. 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:45.980 The sign of the covenant. 00:16:46.100 --> 00:16:46.700 Is the rainbow. 00:16:48.279 --> 00:16:49.220 Lucy says. 00:16:49.500 --> 00:16:49.879 Wow. 00:16:50.659 --> 00:16:52.419 You've taken a great load off my mind. 00:16:53.419 --> 00:16:54.220 Linus says. 00:16:54.639 --> 00:16:56.080 Sound theology should do that. 00:16:56.080 --> 00:17:00.580 In other words. 00:17:00.580 --> 00:17:01.340 In theology. 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:03.240 What we believe about God. 00:17:03.440 --> 00:17:04.460 Who God is. 00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:05.840 Must affect. 00:17:06.840 --> 00:17:08.519 And it must make an impact. 00:17:10.220 --> 00:17:12.400 And Jonah has short circuited. 00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:16.500 Like a lot of our thinking does. 00:17:16.500 --> 00:17:19.740 And the result of his disgust. 00:17:19.859 --> 00:17:20.920 Is in verse 3. 00:17:21.160 --> 00:17:22.440 He asks God. 00:17:22.579 --> 00:17:23.779 To take his life away. 00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:26.079 And I think. 00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:27.759 Chapter 4 verse 3. 00:17:27.759 --> 00:17:29.200 Is just another version. 00:17:29.319 --> 00:17:30.740 Of chapter 1 verse 3. 00:17:30.740 --> 00:17:34.960 Because when Jonah ran away. 00:17:35.079 --> 00:17:35.680 To Tarshish. 00:17:35.740 --> 00:17:36.279 He found out. 00:17:36.380 --> 00:17:37.079 That it wouldn't get him. 00:17:37.160 --> 00:17:38.180 Out of profiting. 00:17:39.579 --> 00:17:40.740 And so he wants Jonah. 00:17:40.819 --> 00:17:41.779 To take away his life. 00:17:41.980 --> 00:17:42.799 He wants Yahweh. 00:17:42.880 --> 00:17:43.740 To take away his life. 00:17:45.200 --> 00:17:46.140 It's the only way. 00:17:46.200 --> 00:17:47.200 He's going to get out of this. 00:17:48.039 --> 00:17:49.200 Any other way. 00:17:49.579 --> 00:17:50.779 God will go after him. 00:17:52.400 --> 00:17:53.440 And so he wants God. 00:17:53.559 --> 00:17:54.559 To take his life. 00:17:54.559 --> 00:17:57.379 Do you think. 00:17:57.639 --> 00:17:58.019 We notice. 00:17:58.179 --> 00:17:59.019 It's very interesting. 00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:00.700 Jonah realises. 00:18:00.940 --> 00:18:01.559 That he doesn't have. 00:18:01.659 --> 00:18:02.500 The right himself. 00:18:02.659 --> 00:18:03.379 To take his life. 00:18:06.139 --> 00:18:07.539 Suicide is not an option. 00:18:09.899 --> 00:18:11.200 Suicide is never an option. 00:18:12.659 --> 00:18:14.460 Only the giver of life. 00:18:15.379 --> 00:18:16.619 Can take his life. 00:18:18.079 --> 00:18:19.240 And he pleads for him to do it. 00:18:21.299 --> 00:18:22.139 And that's how far. 00:18:22.220 --> 00:18:23.220 His disgust goes. 00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:25.259 How do we apply this. 00:18:26.640 --> 00:18:27.500 Let's come back to. 00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:29.559 What is the central issue. 00:18:29.700 --> 00:18:30.640 In Jonah chapter 4. 00:18:32.180 --> 00:18:33.759 Jonah does not like. 00:18:33.960 --> 00:18:34.880 God's way. 00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:36.299 Of being God. 00:18:37.980 --> 00:18:39.740 And he's angry with God. 00:18:39.920 --> 00:18:40.940 For acting in a way. 00:18:41.180 --> 00:18:41.900 That Jonah. 00:18:42.480 --> 00:18:43.500 Didn't understand. 00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:44.680 Or approve of. 00:18:46.779 --> 00:18:47.480 Have you ever. 00:18:47.620 --> 00:18:48.519 In a situation like that. 00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:52.319 Not liking God's way. 00:18:52.420 --> 00:18:52.980 Of being God. 00:18:53.220 --> 00:18:55.620 Angry with God. 00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:56.740 Because he's acting. 00:18:56.740 --> 00:18:57.180 In a way. 00:18:57.259 --> 00:18:58.640 That you don't approve of. 00:18:58.700 --> 00:18:59.559 Or understand of. 00:19:01.900 --> 00:19:02.660 So at root. 00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:03.880 Jonah was finding fault. 00:19:03.880 --> 00:19:04.400 With God. 00:19:04.460 --> 00:19:05.500 For being the way he is. 00:19:05.620 --> 00:19:06.759 God has not lived. 00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:07.839 Up to his expectations. 00:19:10.059 --> 00:19:10.759 The creed. 00:19:10.819 --> 00:19:11.900 In Exodus chapter 34. 00:19:11.900 --> 00:19:12.680 Is fine. 00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:13.640 But not when it comes. 00:19:13.740 --> 00:19:14.360 To the Assyrians. 00:19:14.359 --> 00:19:19.240 And so we need to ask ourselves. 00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:20.059 The question I think. 00:19:20.139 --> 00:19:21.359 In Jonah chapter 4. 00:19:23.359 --> 00:19:24.579 Am I content. 00:19:24.699 --> 00:19:25.939 With the character of God. 00:19:30.459 --> 00:19:31.559 Or am I actually. 00:19:31.819 --> 00:19:33.079 Disturbed by God. 00:19:33.179 --> 00:19:34.379 For taking my life. 00:19:34.879 --> 00:19:35.459 In a direction. 00:19:35.459 --> 00:19:36.379 That I want to go. 00:19:36.380 --> 00:19:39.900 And am I eager. 00:19:39.900 --> 00:19:42.060 For the character of God. 00:19:43.060 --> 00:19:44.840 To mould my mind. 00:19:45.020 --> 00:19:46.020 And to shape my attitudes. 00:19:47.840 --> 00:19:49.880 And God's sovereignty. 00:19:50.780 --> 00:19:51.700 And freedom. 00:19:51.840 --> 00:19:52.320 In grace. 00:19:52.440 --> 00:19:53.920 Ought to soften us. 00:19:54.060 --> 00:19:55.280 And not harden us. 00:19:55.279 --> 00:19:59.680 So in my case. 00:19:59.839 --> 00:20:01.119 It doesn't really matter. 00:20:01.279 --> 00:20:02.339 If my ministry. 00:20:02.619 --> 00:20:03.920 Is a visible success. 00:20:03.920 --> 00:20:04.399 Or not. 00:20:06.160 --> 00:20:07.879 As long as I enjoy. 00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:09.299 The God of all grace. 00:20:14.099 --> 00:20:15.099 There's a scary thing. 00:20:15.160 --> 00:20:15.399 Isn't it? 00:20:15.480 --> 00:20:16.039 It's obvious. 00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:17.440 That God is not that concerned. 00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:18.740 Whether I'm successful. 00:20:18.879 --> 00:20:19.579 As a preacher or not. 00:20:19.619 --> 00:20:20.779 That doesn't bother God at all. 00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:22.680 But that I would be sanctified. 00:20:22.680 --> 00:20:25.480 And so for you. 00:20:25.560 --> 00:20:26.480 In your life. 00:20:28.580 --> 00:20:30.279 It doesn't really matter. 00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:32.140 If you are successful. 00:20:32.380 --> 00:20:33.420 Whatever that means. 00:20:33.500 --> 00:20:34.299 In your life. 00:20:34.299 --> 00:20:35.360 But it does matter. 00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:36.920 That you are sanctified. 00:20:37.980 --> 00:20:39.000 In your life. 00:20:40.200 --> 00:20:41.000 Let's go to see. 00:20:41.140 --> 00:20:42.180 To the patient. 00:20:42.860 --> 00:20:44.279 The patient teacher. 00:20:45.019 --> 00:20:45.940 The patient teacher. 00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:46.960 And the focus here. 00:20:47.380 --> 00:20:49.460 Is on the consistency of God. 00:20:49.860 --> 00:20:50.900 The consistency of God. 00:20:50.940 --> 00:20:51.620 The patient teacher. 00:20:51.619 --> 00:20:53.139 And the consistency of God. 00:20:53.959 --> 00:20:54.359 So. 00:20:54.599 --> 00:20:56.059 If you just look at the text with me. 00:20:56.399 --> 00:20:57.859 God deals with Jonah. 00:20:58.139 --> 00:21:00.059 And there's one question. 00:21:00.199 --> 00:21:01.319 That is asked twice. 00:21:02.239 --> 00:21:03.259 There's one question. 00:21:03.339 --> 00:21:04.299 That's asked twice. 00:21:05.019 --> 00:21:06.239 And there's one verb. 00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:07.659 That's repeated three times. 00:21:07.799 --> 00:21:08.639 The word repair. 00:21:09.299 --> 00:21:10.099 Or anoint. 00:21:10.779 --> 00:21:11.719 So God's question. 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:12.579 If you look. 00:21:12.659 --> 00:21:14.279 It just comes in verse four. 00:21:14.899 --> 00:21:16.279 Do you do well to be angry Jonah? 00:21:17.099 --> 00:21:17.839 Verse nine. 00:21:18.259 --> 00:21:19.419 Do you do well to be angry? 00:21:20.019 --> 00:21:20.319 Jonah? 00:21:20.319 --> 00:21:23.799 Are you right to be burned up? 00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:27.759 Are you right to be incandescent with rage? 00:21:28.579 --> 00:21:30.899 And in between those two questions. 00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:32.539 The Lord gives Jonah. 00:21:33.139 --> 00:21:34.759 Basically a children's talk. 00:21:35.559 --> 00:21:36.700 An object lesson. 00:21:37.939 --> 00:21:39.099 He appoints a plant. 00:21:39.619 --> 00:21:40.399 A worm. 00:21:40.659 --> 00:21:41.220 And a wind. 00:21:41.220 --> 00:21:45.500 But I want you to just notice the manner. 00:21:46.700 --> 00:21:49.180 Just notice the manner that God deals with Jonah. 00:21:49.380 --> 00:21:51.480 Jonah is still petulant. 00:21:51.480 --> 00:21:51.839 Isn't he? 00:21:52.880 --> 00:21:55.400 He's still throwing his toys out of the pram. 00:21:56.480 --> 00:21:58.339 And at the end of verse nine. 00:21:58.480 --> 00:22:00.839 God does not call him a sarcastic idiot. 00:22:01.519 --> 00:22:01.900 Does he? 00:22:01.900 --> 00:22:02.900 Yes. 00:22:02.900 --> 00:22:02.920 Yes. 00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:04.540 I do well to be angry. 00:22:04.660 --> 00:22:05.700 Angry enough to die. 00:22:07.080 --> 00:22:08.120 God is so gracious. 00:22:09.700 --> 00:22:10.600 He questions. 00:22:10.740 --> 00:22:11.240 And he acts. 00:22:11.380 --> 00:22:12.060 And he extracts. 00:22:12.120 --> 00:22:13.980 And he exercises immense patience. 00:22:14.380 --> 00:22:15.820 To this obnoxious servant. 00:22:15.819 --> 00:22:19.779 Which simply shows. 00:22:20.099 --> 00:22:20.759 As what? 00:22:22.599 --> 00:22:24.059 It shows us verse two. 00:22:24.179 --> 00:22:24.480 Doesn't it? 00:22:25.179 --> 00:22:25.960 Can you see verse two? 00:22:27.779 --> 00:22:30.059 For I knew that you are a gracious God. 00:22:31.119 --> 00:22:32.000 And merciful. 00:22:32.179 --> 00:22:33.240 Slow to anger. 00:22:34.500 --> 00:22:37.119 God shows himself gracious and merciful towards Jonah. 00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:38.539 And he deals with him. 00:22:39.299 --> 00:22:40.279 In that kind of manner. 00:22:40.419 --> 00:22:42.159 Even when Jonah is obnoxious. 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:44.379 The consistency of God. 00:22:44.380 --> 00:22:47.980 He is just as Jonah had confessed in the creed. 00:22:49.220 --> 00:22:49.740 The Lord. 00:22:49.820 --> 00:22:50.180 The Lord. 00:22:50.320 --> 00:22:50.880 Merciful. 00:22:51.060 --> 00:22:51.580 Gracious. 00:22:51.800 --> 00:22:53.240 Full of steadfast love. 00:22:55.100 --> 00:22:58.120 And that's just the way God treats Jonah of all people. 00:23:00.280 --> 00:23:01.300 And so last week. 00:23:01.420 --> 00:23:03.820 I said to you that the real miracle of the book of Jonah. 00:23:03.860 --> 00:23:05.240 Wasn't the rest of the fish. 00:23:05.400 --> 00:23:06.600 It was the repentance of Nilever. 00:23:07.400 --> 00:23:08.240 But that isn't right. 00:23:09.400 --> 00:23:10.620 The real miracle. 00:23:10.900 --> 00:23:11.620 In the book of Jonah. 00:23:11.700 --> 00:23:12.720 Comes in chapter four. 00:23:12.720 --> 00:23:15.980 And it's not the rest of the fish. 00:23:16.860 --> 00:23:18.420 And it's not the repentance of Nilever. 00:23:18.539 --> 00:23:20.160 The real miracle of the book of Jonah. 00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:21.180 Is that God. 00:23:21.299 --> 00:23:22.819 Still cares about Jonah. 00:23:25.880 --> 00:23:27.839 And that's why I think the book is all about Jonah. 00:23:29.940 --> 00:23:31.200 He's still pursuing him. 00:23:31.440 --> 00:23:32.519 He is long suffering. 00:23:32.660 --> 00:23:33.920 And compassionate over him. 00:23:33.920 --> 00:23:39.279 And he seems to think that what we think about God. 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:41.039 Is very crucial. 00:23:42.340 --> 00:23:44.840 And he doesn't mind you leaving you under a tree. 00:23:45.100 --> 00:23:45.840 To think about it. 00:23:46.800 --> 00:23:49.259 So what is the lesson that God wants us to learn from this? 00:23:49.700 --> 00:23:52.100 The way that he consistently treats Jonah. 00:23:52.099 --> 00:23:53.439 And I think it's this. 00:23:54.240 --> 00:23:55.139 He wants Jonah. 00:23:55.299 --> 00:23:56.599 And you and I to know. 00:23:56.980 --> 00:23:57.599 That Jonah. 00:23:57.799 --> 00:23:58.519 And we. 00:23:58.719 --> 00:23:59.799 Only stand. 00:24:01.059 --> 00:24:02.179 By his grace. 00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:05.399 Now look at the grace. 00:24:05.539 --> 00:24:05.699 Okay. 00:24:05.719 --> 00:24:06.599 Look at verse six. 00:24:07.559 --> 00:24:08.519 Now the Lord God. 00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:09.439 Planted. 00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:10.940 The Lord God. 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:12.660 Appointed a plant. 00:24:14.140 --> 00:24:15.720 And made it come up over Jonah. 00:24:15.860 --> 00:24:18.259 So that it might be a shade over his head. 00:24:18.400 --> 00:24:19.240 To save him. 00:24:19.840 --> 00:24:20.779 From his discomfort. 00:24:21.180 --> 00:24:23.460 That is an act of God's grace. 00:24:25.660 --> 00:24:27.299 I've got one commentary that spent. 00:24:27.740 --> 00:24:29.660 Three paragraphs on whether Jonah was bald. 00:24:31.539 --> 00:24:33.820 Which is an astonishing thing. 00:24:33.960 --> 00:24:34.320 Isn't it? 00:24:35.080 --> 00:24:36.120 I don't know. 00:24:36.480 --> 00:24:37.320 Whether Jonah was bald. 00:24:37.320 --> 00:24:38.779 And neither did the commentator. 00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:41.460 But that isn't the point of verse six. 00:24:42.340 --> 00:24:45.140 The point of verse six is that it's an act of God's grace. 00:24:45.960 --> 00:24:46.600 This plant. 00:24:46.779 --> 00:24:47.440 The shade. 00:24:48.440 --> 00:24:49.100 You just see. 00:24:49.380 --> 00:24:50.360 Again in verse six. 00:24:50.480 --> 00:24:51.299 You've got another great. 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:51.740 Yes. 00:24:51.820 --> 00:24:52.519 Who misses it. 00:24:52.860 --> 00:24:54.980 But Jonah was greatly glad. 00:24:55.299 --> 00:24:56.240 Exceedingly glad. 00:24:56.640 --> 00:24:57.900 Jonah is ecstatic. 00:24:58.880 --> 00:24:59.640 About this. 00:25:01.820 --> 00:25:02.779 Verse seven. 00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:05.460 When dawn came up the next day. 00:25:05.640 --> 00:25:07.640 God appointed a worm that attacked the plant. 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.500 So that it withered. 00:25:09.440 --> 00:25:10.519 There is judgment. 00:25:12.019 --> 00:25:13.820 And then verse eight and nine. 00:25:14.039 --> 00:25:16.120 Jonah is really cheesed off. 00:25:16.279 --> 00:25:16.600 Isn't he? 00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:18.460 When the sun rose. 00:25:18.559 --> 00:25:19.519 God appointed a scorching yeast. 00:25:19.600 --> 00:25:21.559 When the sun beat down on the head of Jonah. 00:25:21.700 --> 00:25:22.759 Bald or not bald. 00:25:22.900 --> 00:25:24.039 So that he was faint. 00:25:24.519 --> 00:25:26.200 And he asked that he might die. 00:25:26.620 --> 00:25:26.940 And said. 00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:29.220 It is better for me to die than to live. 00:25:30.220 --> 00:25:31.039 God said to Jonah. 00:25:31.100 --> 00:25:32.700 Do you do well to be angry for the plant? 00:25:32.860 --> 00:25:33.180 He said. 00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:33.480 Yes. 00:25:33.480 --> 00:25:34.500 I do well to be angry. 00:25:34.600 --> 00:25:35.620 Angry enough to die. 00:25:35.619 --> 00:25:36.859 He wants out of it. 00:25:37.119 --> 00:25:37.639 He's devastated. 00:25:38.839 --> 00:25:39.459 What's happening? 00:25:41.979 --> 00:25:42.819 Well clearly. 00:25:43.039 --> 00:25:43.899 What God gives. 00:25:45.319 --> 00:25:46.639 God has got the right to take away. 00:25:48.039 --> 00:25:48.859 You see that in verse 10. 00:25:49.979 --> 00:25:50.500 And the Lord said. 00:25:50.579 --> 00:25:51.259 He put in the plant. 00:25:51.359 --> 00:25:52.199 For which he did not labour. 00:25:52.359 --> 00:25:53.279 Nor did he make it grow. 00:25:53.379 --> 00:25:54.559 Which came into being in a night. 00:25:54.779 --> 00:25:56.159 And perished in the night. 00:25:56.160 --> 00:25:59.380 You've got no investment in the plant Jonah. 00:25:59.860 --> 00:26:01.140 This is a gift of grace. 00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:02.480 So if I give a gift. 00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:04.160 Or if I give grace. 00:26:04.300 --> 00:26:06.940 And the worm comes and destroys it. 00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:08.960 You shouldn't have any complaints about that Jonah. 00:26:10.140 --> 00:26:12.060 I have the right to take away my gifts. 00:26:15.600 --> 00:26:16.560 I think again. 00:26:16.680 --> 00:26:18.700 Suddenly we find ourselves in Jonah chapter 4. 00:26:23.420 --> 00:26:25.060 It's all to hang over our lives. 00:26:26.160 --> 00:26:31.560 That if you have reasonable success. 00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:32.140 In your life. 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:32.920 And in your studies. 00:26:34.540 --> 00:26:35.740 If your job is good. 00:26:37.580 --> 00:26:38.920 If your marriage is okay. 00:26:40.400 --> 00:26:42.180 If your family life is warm. 00:26:42.300 --> 00:26:43.080 And affectionate. 00:26:44.180 --> 00:26:45.840 And your nearest and your dearest. 00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:47.220 They are walking with the Lord. 00:26:47.340 --> 00:26:48.820 And if you've not fallen. 00:26:49.040 --> 00:26:50.380 Into scandal and sin. 00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:51.560 Which wrecks your life. 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:53.000 And wrecks the lives of others. 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:55.240 You have it only. 00:26:55.980 --> 00:26:57.259 By the grace of God. 00:26:58.579 --> 00:27:00.119 Who can justly. 00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:01.980 Remove any of it. 00:27:02.339 --> 00:27:03.079 Or all of it. 00:27:03.180 --> 00:27:04.000 At any time. 00:27:04.079 --> 00:27:04.680 With one leg. 00:27:06.839 --> 00:27:08.059 All that I am. 00:27:08.900 --> 00:27:09.779 I owe to thee. 00:27:10.920 --> 00:27:12.680 Thy wisdom Lord has fashioned me. 00:27:12.680 --> 00:27:15.880 I give my maker grateful praise. 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:17.480 Whose wondrous works. 00:27:17.880 --> 00:27:19.820 My soul amaze. 00:27:22.259 --> 00:27:23.840 The same grace. 00:27:24.060 --> 00:27:25.400 That keeps the Assyrians. 00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:26.539 From perishing. 00:27:28.340 --> 00:27:30.100 Is the same grace. 00:27:30.400 --> 00:27:31.660 That keeps you on your feet. 00:27:31.660 --> 00:27:32.160 This night. 00:27:34.480 --> 00:27:35.480 And you and I. 00:27:35.480 --> 00:27:36.120 Stand. 00:27:37.240 --> 00:27:38.080 Like Jonah. 00:27:38.980 --> 00:27:40.320 Only by grace. 00:27:41.920 --> 00:27:43.480 And every single. 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:44.300 Good thing. 00:27:44.420 --> 00:27:45.180 That you have. 00:27:45.240 --> 00:27:45.980 In your life. 00:27:47.920 --> 00:27:49.500 Is only by grace. 00:27:52.320 --> 00:27:53.080 Scene three. 00:27:53.180 --> 00:27:53.900 The last word. 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:54.420 Focuses. 00:27:54.759 --> 00:27:56.259 On the freedom of God. 00:27:57.680 --> 00:27:58.480 Last word. 00:27:59.259 --> 00:28:00.960 And it focuses on the freedom of God. 00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:02.019 Verses 10 and 11. 00:28:04.299 --> 00:28:05.240 So this plant. 00:28:05.319 --> 00:28:05.640 I think. 00:28:05.700 --> 00:28:06.460 Is pretty significant. 00:28:09.279 --> 00:28:10.019 The reason I think. 00:28:10.039 --> 00:28:10.480 It's significant. 00:28:10.620 --> 00:28:10.819 Is because. 00:28:11.000 --> 00:28:11.700 All the way through. 00:28:11.799 --> 00:28:12.440 The book of Jonah. 00:28:12.980 --> 00:28:14.019 God preserves. 00:28:14.860 --> 00:28:15.319 Do you see that? 00:28:16.100 --> 00:28:16.620 Chapter one. 00:28:16.700 --> 00:28:17.660 God preserves the Assyrians. 00:28:18.220 --> 00:28:18.819 Chapter two. 00:28:19.120 --> 00:28:20.079 God preserves Jonah. 00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:21.340 Chapter three. 00:28:21.480 --> 00:28:22.960 God preserves Nineveh. 00:28:24.440 --> 00:28:25.079 Chapter four. 00:28:25.160 --> 00:28:26.180 God destroys a plant. 00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:28.900 And now. 00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:30.019 God applies this. 00:28:30.220 --> 00:28:30.519 Plant. 00:28:30.519 --> 00:28:31.099 And wind. 00:28:31.180 --> 00:28:31.619 And storm. 00:28:31.720 --> 00:28:32.619 The situation of Jonah. 00:28:32.779 --> 00:28:33.139 And there's. 00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:33.980 There's clearly. 00:28:33.980 --> 00:28:35.400 A contrast intended. 00:28:36.900 --> 00:28:38.740 Just look at the emphatic way. 00:28:38.819 --> 00:28:39.359 He speaks. 00:28:39.539 --> 00:28:40.460 In verse 10. 00:28:41.879 --> 00:28:42.500 And the Lord said. 00:28:42.700 --> 00:28:43.079 You. 00:28:43.500 --> 00:28:44.240 Pitied a plant. 00:28:44.319 --> 00:28:45.200 For which you. 00:28:45.619 --> 00:28:46.359 Did not labor. 00:28:46.660 --> 00:28:47.619 Nor did you. 00:28:48.000 --> 00:28:48.799 Make it grow. 00:28:49.119 --> 00:28:50.019 Which came into being. 00:28:50.099 --> 00:28:50.480 In a night. 00:28:50.539 --> 00:28:51.539 And perished in the night. 00:28:51.920 --> 00:28:52.639 You had. 00:28:53.180 --> 00:28:54.119 Pity on a plant. 00:28:54.180 --> 00:28:54.759 Which you didn't. 00:28:54.839 --> 00:28:55.259 Toil over. 00:28:55.359 --> 00:28:55.759 It's such a. 00:28:57.099 --> 00:28:58.160 It came up in the night. 00:28:58.160 --> 00:28:59.360 And it perished in the night. 00:29:01.220 --> 00:29:02.040 And then verse 11. 00:29:02.340 --> 00:29:03.259 And should not I. 00:29:03.560 --> 00:29:04.420 Pity Nineveh. 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:05.360 That great city. 00:29:05.420 --> 00:29:07.640 In which there are more than 120,000 persons. 00:29:07.740 --> 00:29:09.240 Who don't know their left hand from their right. 00:29:09.300 --> 00:29:10.100 And also much cattle. 00:29:12.140 --> 00:29:12.960 So it's taken. 00:29:13.080 --> 00:29:13.279 Isn't it? 00:29:13.320 --> 00:29:13.720 Verse 10. 00:29:13.720 --> 00:29:13.980 11. 00:29:14.059 --> 00:29:15.900 Is normally taken as a contrast in values. 00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:18.160 I think that's right. 00:29:19.640 --> 00:29:21.160 You have a plant Jonah. 00:29:21.319 --> 00:29:21.940 Over which. 00:29:22.299 --> 00:29:23.779 Over which Jonah is ecstatic. 00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:28.940 And then you have people and livestock in contrast. 00:29:29.660 --> 00:29:30.539 You've got a plant. 00:29:30.660 --> 00:29:32.519 That Jonah is really ecstatic about. 00:29:33.180 --> 00:29:34.200 But then there's people. 00:29:34.460 --> 00:29:35.339 And cattle. 00:29:36.059 --> 00:29:36.720 Living beings. 00:29:36.799 --> 00:29:37.460 In verse 11. 00:29:37.460 --> 00:29:39.039 That God is more concerned about. 00:29:39.039 --> 00:29:42.000 But I. 00:29:42.700 --> 00:29:44.920 I'm not sure that that is the big contrast. 00:29:46.859 --> 00:29:48.639 Because I think the big contrast. 00:29:48.920 --> 00:29:49.740 Is here on. 00:29:49.839 --> 00:29:50.659 Is freedom. 00:29:52.639 --> 00:29:53.859 Throughout chapter 3. 00:29:54.059 --> 00:29:55.619 God's threat against Nineveh. 00:29:55.700 --> 00:29:57.659 And they get a reprieve from judgment. 00:29:57.839 --> 00:29:58.539 It is delayed. 00:29:58.659 --> 00:29:59.559 It is put off. 00:30:01.619 --> 00:30:02.920 God's threat against Nineveh. 00:30:02.920 --> 00:30:04.599 A reprieve. 00:30:04.680 --> 00:30:05.759 But now in chapter 4. 00:30:05.859 --> 00:30:06.299 With the plant. 00:30:06.440 --> 00:30:06.879 You have. 00:30:06.880 --> 00:30:08.860 God's gift to Jonah. 00:30:09.020 --> 00:30:10.220 And then you have a retraction. 00:30:10.780 --> 00:30:11.900 That's the contrast. 00:30:12.060 --> 00:30:12.840 A reprieve. 00:30:12.900 --> 00:30:13.660 And then a retraction. 00:30:15.160 --> 00:30:16.180 So there's a contrast. 00:30:16.320 --> 00:30:17.160 Between chapter 3. 00:30:17.280 --> 00:30:18.080 And chapter 4. 00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:19.620 And I think the Lord is saying. 00:30:19.700 --> 00:30:20.580 Both these are proper. 00:30:22.640 --> 00:30:23.580 Both those are fine. 00:30:25.120 --> 00:30:26.600 Because God can do. 00:30:26.720 --> 00:30:27.560 As he pleases. 00:30:29.840 --> 00:30:31.440 As he said to Jonah. 00:30:31.440 --> 00:30:32.060 Do you see. 00:30:32.800 --> 00:30:35.300 You've got no claim on this plant Jonah. 00:30:35.520 --> 00:30:36.700 It's sheer gift. 00:30:36.880 --> 00:30:39.460 Here's the object lesson. 00:30:39.700 --> 00:30:41.040 But it's sheer gift. 00:30:41.380 --> 00:30:42.960 Jonah you didn't put any work into it. 00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:43.840 You didn't plant it. 00:30:43.920 --> 00:30:44.820 You didn't water it. 00:30:44.860 --> 00:30:46.340 You didn't put miracle grow on it. 00:30:46.580 --> 00:30:48.280 You've got no claim on it. 00:30:49.420 --> 00:30:50.400 It was God's plant. 00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:51.640 And because it was God's plant. 00:30:52.040 --> 00:30:53.600 God is perfectly right for him. 00:30:53.660 --> 00:30:54.540 To withhold it. 00:30:54.740 --> 00:30:55.480 Or to give it. 00:30:55.560 --> 00:30:56.260 As he pleased. 00:30:56.300 --> 00:30:57.040 And when he pleased. 00:30:58.940 --> 00:30:59.520 And so. 00:30:59.580 --> 00:31:00.860 Is God not free. 00:31:00.860 --> 00:31:01.760 To do with living. 00:31:01.860 --> 00:31:02.820 As he likes. 00:31:02.819 --> 00:31:03.419 God's. 00:31:05.419 --> 00:31:06.899 And so I think the point. 00:31:07.079 --> 00:31:08.939 At the end of Jonah chapter 4. 00:31:09.099 --> 00:31:10.039 That is being emphasized. 00:31:10.159 --> 00:31:10.639 For you and I. 00:31:10.720 --> 00:31:11.720 Could be summed up in the words. 00:31:11.779 --> 00:31:12.460 Of Matthew 20. 00:31:12.539 --> 00:31:12.899 15. 00:31:13.779 --> 00:31:14.399 You know the parable. 00:31:14.500 --> 00:31:15.119 The vineyard owner. 00:31:15.659 --> 00:31:17.059 Where the vineyard owner says. 00:31:17.179 --> 00:31:19.019 Am I not allowed to do what I choose. 00:31:21.399 --> 00:31:22.939 Am I not allowed to do. 00:31:22.939 --> 00:31:23.779 With what I choose. 00:31:23.779 --> 00:31:24.960 With what belongs to me. 00:31:24.960 --> 00:31:28.539 Or Exodus 33. 00:31:28.920 --> 00:31:29.200 I. 00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:31.120 Shall show grace. 00:31:31.720 --> 00:31:33.319 On whom I want to show grace. 00:31:34.400 --> 00:31:35.759 And I will have compassion. 00:31:35.880 --> 00:31:37.279 On whom I will have compassion on. 00:31:39.840 --> 00:31:42.360 And I think the freedom of God. 00:31:45.660 --> 00:31:47.600 Is something that if we let it. 00:31:48.220 --> 00:31:51.360 Sink into the dark corners of our souls. 00:31:51.359 --> 00:31:54.399 The freedom of God. 00:31:54.519 --> 00:31:55.379 Actually lifts. 00:31:55.539 --> 00:31:56.619 A great burden. 00:31:57.399 --> 00:31:58.000 Off us. 00:32:01.159 --> 00:32:02.379 I've tried to give an illustration. 00:32:02.659 --> 00:32:03.779 I've tried to think of an illustration. 00:32:03.919 --> 00:32:04.639 But the best illustration. 00:32:04.799 --> 00:32:05.359 Is in the Bible. 00:32:06.419 --> 00:32:06.899 Of this. 00:32:07.319 --> 00:32:08.799 2 Samuel 15. 00:32:08.979 --> 00:32:09.379 25. 00:32:09.479 --> 00:32:09.899 26. 00:32:10.019 --> 00:32:11.240 David is on his way. 00:32:11.799 --> 00:32:12.619 Out of Jerusalem. 00:32:12.619 --> 00:32:14.019 Because his son Absalom. 00:32:14.179 --> 00:32:15.339 Is coming into Jerusalem. 00:32:16.559 --> 00:32:18.259 And they're going to get out of the city. 00:32:19.179 --> 00:32:20.219 And they're vacating. 00:32:20.479 --> 00:32:21.219 The city of Jerusalem. 00:32:21.359 --> 00:32:24.459 Probably because they want to know. 00:32:24.579 --> 00:32:26.039 Who's going to be on their side. 00:32:26.159 --> 00:32:27.479 And so they get out of Jerusalem. 00:32:27.619 --> 00:32:29.259 Before Absalom gets there. 00:32:30.039 --> 00:32:30.879 And on their way out. 00:32:30.979 --> 00:32:31.839 Zanok and Emiath. 00:32:31.879 --> 00:32:32.659 The high priest. 00:32:32.759 --> 00:32:33.179 Come up. 00:32:33.379 --> 00:32:34.099 With some men. 00:32:34.179 --> 00:32:35.459 Who've got the Ark of the Covenant. 00:32:35.639 --> 00:32:35.959 With them. 00:32:37.019 --> 00:32:38.839 And they're going to take it off. 00:32:39.059 --> 00:32:39.639 With David. 00:32:40.379 --> 00:32:41.399 It's as if they're saying. 00:32:41.519 --> 00:32:42.719 We may be going to the wilderness. 00:32:43.379 --> 00:32:45.099 But we'll have the Ark of the Covenant. 00:32:46.259 --> 00:32:48.639 We will have the sign of God's presence. 00:32:48.639 --> 00:32:49.259 With us. 00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:50.619 And so on. 00:32:50.619 --> 00:32:53.899 And really surprisingly. 00:32:54.059 --> 00:32:55.119 David will have none of it. 00:32:57.199 --> 00:32:57.779 He says. 00:32:57.839 --> 00:32:59.119 Take the Ark of God. 00:32:59.199 --> 00:33:00.000 Back to the city. 00:33:00.919 --> 00:33:01.539 Take it back. 00:33:01.839 --> 00:33:02.459 I don't want it. 00:33:04.359 --> 00:33:05.279 And then he says this. 00:33:05.319 --> 00:33:06.419 If I find grace. 00:33:06.419 --> 00:33:07.639 In the Lord's eyes. 00:33:07.799 --> 00:33:09.059 He shall allow me back. 00:33:09.139 --> 00:33:10.059 To see both it. 00:33:10.159 --> 00:33:11.139 And its residence. 00:33:11.140 --> 00:33:15.200 But he says. 00:33:15.200 --> 00:33:16.500 If I do not. 00:33:17.720 --> 00:33:19.140 But if he says. 00:33:19.360 --> 00:33:21.220 I do not delight in you. 00:33:21.440 --> 00:33:23.360 If the Lord does not delight in me. 00:33:24.180 --> 00:33:26.060 Let him do to me. 00:33:26.860 --> 00:33:28.140 As seems good to him. 00:33:28.140 --> 00:33:32.020 That in. 00:33:32.140 --> 00:33:33.100 If I do not. 00:33:33.420 --> 00:33:35.960 If the Lord does not delight in me. 00:33:36.040 --> 00:33:37.160 Let him do to me. 00:33:37.259 --> 00:33:38.360 As seems good to him. 00:33:39.200 --> 00:33:39.820 You might hear that. 00:33:39.940 --> 00:33:40.040 Nathan. 00:33:40.160 --> 00:33:41.080 That's just fatalism. 00:33:41.160 --> 00:33:41.460 Isn't it? 00:33:42.580 --> 00:33:43.780 Ke sarah sarah. 00:33:43.779 --> 00:33:46.639 But I think it's liberty. 00:33:48.639 --> 00:33:49.799 I think it's freedom. 00:33:49.980 --> 00:33:51.859 I think it's a radical acknowledgement. 00:33:52.099 --> 00:33:53.119 Of God's grace. 00:33:53.259 --> 00:33:55.200 I think it's the teaching of Jonah 4. 00:33:55.579 --> 00:33:57.299 That everything I have. 00:33:57.680 --> 00:33:58.859 Everything I have. 00:33:59.099 --> 00:34:00.500 Rests on God's grace. 00:34:02.839 --> 00:34:04.680 And if the Lord shows me grace. 00:34:04.799 --> 00:34:06.059 And he is willing to bring me back. 00:34:06.220 --> 00:34:06.839 And restore me. 00:34:06.960 --> 00:34:08.119 Well I will be able to worship. 00:34:08.239 --> 00:34:09.059 Where the Ark is. 00:34:09.400 --> 00:34:10.099 And so on. 00:34:11.259 --> 00:34:12.320 And if he says. 00:34:12.420 --> 00:34:13.719 God doesn't delight in me. 00:34:13.719 --> 00:34:15.699 He can do what's good in his eyes. 00:34:17.639 --> 00:34:18.699 And David is saying. 00:34:18.819 --> 00:34:20.819 I'm not going to try and manipulate God. 00:34:23.199 --> 00:34:25.359 I'm not going to try and steer God. 00:34:25.439 --> 00:34:26.539 Where I want him to go. 00:34:26.619 --> 00:34:29.119 I'm not going to have any of this gimmick. 00:34:29.399 --> 00:34:30.279 Or manipulation. 00:34:31.339 --> 00:34:33.339 As if I can kind of direct his way. 00:34:35.439 --> 00:34:37.299 It's just an expression of sheer freedom. 00:34:37.379 --> 00:34:38.599 And how much freedom there is. 00:34:38.599 --> 00:34:40.739 How much relief there is. 00:34:41.599 --> 00:34:43.519 When we don't try to bear. 00:34:43.519 --> 00:34:44.860 God's heavy burden. 00:34:46.119 --> 00:34:47.579 And it is very heavy. 00:34:48.880 --> 00:34:51.119 And we cast ourselves upon him. 00:34:51.199 --> 00:34:52.039 And his grace. 00:34:52.619 --> 00:34:55.139 For him to do what he pleases with us. 00:34:57.639 --> 00:34:59.079 To do what he pleases. 00:34:59.179 --> 00:35:00.219 With what belongs to him. 00:35:00.219 --> 00:35:04.239 And Jonah. 00:35:04.239 --> 00:35:05.579 Like most of us. 00:35:06.480 --> 00:35:08.619 Is prone to want to be God. 00:35:11.199 --> 00:35:13.139 Genesis chapter 3 and verse 5. 00:35:13.239 --> 00:35:14.739 Is true in your heart and mine. 00:35:17.000 --> 00:35:18.159 Wanting to determine. 00:35:18.500 --> 00:35:19.779 What is fitting to God. 00:35:21.779 --> 00:35:23.419 But this God of Jonah chapter 4. 00:35:23.480 --> 00:35:24.980 He must be the real and living God. 00:35:25.039 --> 00:35:26.559 Because we would never have concocted. 00:35:26.599 --> 00:35:27.359 A God like this. 00:35:27.360 --> 00:35:29.440 A God whom I don't control. 00:35:31.880 --> 00:35:33.640 So he must be the real one. 00:35:35.640 --> 00:35:37.220 And we must remember. 00:35:37.320 --> 00:35:39.860 That when we speak of the freedom of God. 00:35:41.160 --> 00:35:44.680 We speak of the freedom of a God of all grace. 00:35:44.679 --> 00:35:50.179 And so what is the response of. 00:35:51.440 --> 00:35:51.839 Jonah. 00:35:51.960 --> 00:35:52.839 What does. 00:35:52.960 --> 00:35:54.039 The book of Jonah. 00:35:54.239 --> 00:35:55.299 Want us to do. 00:35:57.899 --> 00:35:59.759 It may be that it wants you to go to Nineveh. 00:35:59.960 --> 00:36:01.379 And all the ends of the earth. 00:36:01.579 --> 00:36:02.239 It may be that. 00:36:02.460 --> 00:36:03.099 And my opinion. 00:36:03.199 --> 00:36:04.739 I don't think that is the response. 00:36:04.739 --> 00:36:08.099 That the book of Jonah is calling for. 00:36:10.379 --> 00:36:11.579 I think when we understand. 00:36:11.579 --> 00:36:13.559 Something of the freedom of God. 00:36:14.039 --> 00:36:16.039 All you can do is go back to chapter 1. 00:36:16.099 --> 00:36:16.959 And verse 14. 00:36:18.959 --> 00:36:20.639 And you fall on your knees. 00:36:20.699 --> 00:36:22.000 On the deck of that ship. 00:36:23.319 --> 00:36:25.099 Alongside those pagan sailors. 00:36:26.759 --> 00:36:28.500 And you join them in worship. 00:36:28.500 --> 00:36:31.739 And you say. 00:36:33.179 --> 00:36:34.599 For you God. 00:36:35.320 --> 00:36:36.719 You oh Lord. 00:36:38.179 --> 00:36:39.139 Have done. 00:36:40.179 --> 00:36:41.199 As you please. 00:36:43.579 --> 00:36:44.340 Let's pray.