WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.240 Folks, if you keep Jonah chapter 4 open in front of you, that would be great as we dive into it this evening. 00:00:06.419 --> 00:00:12.720 And can I just say it's wonderful to hear your voices this evening, especially without having to wear masks as we sit in the pew. 00:00:12.800 --> 00:00:15.040 It's great to hear you as we sing together. 00:00:15.660 --> 00:00:19.679 But let us pray as we dive into Jonah 4. Let's pray together. 00:00:22.039 --> 00:00:29.719 Heavenly Father, as we come now to your word, as we think about what it means, as we think about its relevance for our life, 00:00:29.719 --> 00:00:34.659 as we think about how it should shape our lives, our worship, and how we think about you. 00:00:35.100 --> 00:00:41.039 Father, would you open our ears? Would you soften our hearts? And would we glorify you? 00:00:41.039 --> 00:00:50.620 Father, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of all of our hearts be pleasing to you, our rock and our redeemer. Amen. 00:00:52.399 --> 00:00:57.620 Let me start off by asking you a question. What makes you angry? 00:00:57.619 --> 00:01:06.000 Now, I'm not talking about slight annoyance or the frustration that you get when things get on your nerves a little bit. 00:01:06.420 --> 00:01:13.340 Like maybe when you find dirty dishes after your flatmate or spouse has cooked and they couldn't be bothered clearing up. 00:01:13.719 --> 00:01:15.799 That's not anger. That's annoyance. 00:01:16.439 --> 00:01:19.039 I'm talking about real anger. 00:01:19.620 --> 00:01:25.700 What is it that makes you clench your fists so hard that your knuckles turn white? 00:01:25.700 --> 00:01:33.980 What do you hear or see that immediately makes your face turn as red as a traffic light? 00:01:35.260 --> 00:01:39.500 What is it that absolutely makes your blood boil? 00:01:41.760 --> 00:01:50.920 It makes you so angry, all you want to do is scream, shout, maybe even punch stuff, and feel physically sick. 00:01:50.920 --> 00:01:58.099 We've probably all had those moments where we are so angry that we're unable to think. 00:01:58.260 --> 00:02:00.379 We're confused. We're outraged. 00:02:01.159 --> 00:02:07.520 You feel as if you've been slapped in the face and you can see, you can't see how any good can come from any of it. 00:02:09.520 --> 00:02:11.960 Well, that is how we find Jonah this evening. 00:02:11.960 --> 00:02:15.960 And tonight we're going to see what made him so angry. 00:02:16.099 --> 00:02:17.980 And it isn't what we might expect. 00:02:18.600 --> 00:02:23.060 But if you have been following along in this series, then it is what you should have seen coming. 00:02:24.480 --> 00:02:34.600 So if this is your first time joining in the series tonight, please go to our website or to the YouTube channel and catch up with everything that has been said. 00:02:34.599 --> 00:02:41.699 Because it's really important to get the whole picture of Jonah to grasp what this book is really all about. 00:02:42.740 --> 00:02:52.180 So we started off by thinking of the context, how this book was probably written by Jonah after the events had already taken place. 00:02:53.199 --> 00:02:57.539 Probably as Jonah reflected on all that had happened in Nineveh. 00:02:57.539 --> 00:03:00.199 And he was back in Israel. 00:03:00.299 --> 00:03:11.459 He saw the same attitudes, his attitudes and his approach to God mirrored in the attitudes of the rebellious, presumptuous nation of Israel. 00:03:12.919 --> 00:03:18.659 See, Jonah was a prominent prophet, a spokesman from God to an idolatrous nation of Israel. 00:03:19.439 --> 00:03:27.039 And he was called to leave that position of power, of peace, of prosperity to go to Nineveh. 00:03:27.539 --> 00:03:34.759 A city in the Assyrian Empire that would ultimately come and destroy Israel in just a few years. 00:03:37.620 --> 00:03:40.139 So Jonah hears the command to go and what does he do? 00:03:40.219 --> 00:03:41.620 He runs the opposite direction. 00:03:42.739 --> 00:03:43.979 He's swallowed by a fish. 00:03:44.699 --> 00:03:47.139 He seems to repent in the belly of the fish. 00:03:47.239 --> 00:03:52.039 He is then vomited back up onto dry land and he reluctantly goes to Nineveh. 00:03:52.899 --> 00:03:55.120 Preaches the world's shortest sermon. 00:03:55.120 --> 00:03:57.980 And Nineveh repents. 00:03:58.580 --> 00:04:00.879 So the story has reached its climax. 00:04:01.340 --> 00:04:04.780 We would love it if Jonah ended in chapter 3, wouldn't we? 00:04:05.259 --> 00:04:06.340 Mass repentance. 00:04:07.280 --> 00:04:09.560 God's amazing grace shown. 00:04:10.159 --> 00:04:11.640 And a prophet doing his job. 00:04:12.340 --> 00:04:13.800 All is well with the world. 00:04:14.819 --> 00:04:19.480 We would love the book of Jonah to end with chapter 3, verse 10, where it says this. 00:04:19.480 --> 00:04:30.060 When God saw what they, referring to Nineveh, did and how they turned from the evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened. 00:04:32.100 --> 00:04:33.740 But that's not how the book ends. 00:04:33.740 --> 00:04:38.500 We need to remember that Jonah has been consistent throughout this book. 00:04:38.819 --> 00:04:41.560 His anger has shown up time and time again. 00:04:41.660 --> 00:04:45.019 And now finally in chapter 4, we realize why. 00:04:46.079 --> 00:04:53.960 And in this chapter, Jonah's intense anger is contrasted with the immense compassion of God. 00:04:53.959 --> 00:05:00.239 So last week we saw God showing mercy to the rebellious city of Nineveh. 00:05:00.779 --> 00:05:10.979 This week we see God who is slow to anger, abounding in love, showing compassion to a sinful people and a rebellious and angry prophet. 00:05:10.980 --> 00:05:17.100 So tonight we're going to look at this passage through the lens of those two contrasts. 00:05:17.100 --> 00:05:20.540 An angry prophet and a compassionate God. 00:05:21.140 --> 00:05:24.640 So the first thing we see is an angry prophet. 00:05:25.920 --> 00:05:33.379 Now Jonah must have heard the king's declaration for the whole city to repent in chapter 3, verses 7 to 8. 00:05:34.160 --> 00:05:37.759 How would you expect the prophet to respond in that situation? 00:05:37.759 --> 00:05:44.579 We'd expect the man sent by God to deliver that message to rejoice, wouldn't we? 00:05:45.300 --> 00:05:46.339 They did what he wanted. 00:05:47.560 --> 00:05:51.819 But look at his actual response in chapter 4, verse 1. 00:05:51.899 --> 00:05:52.519 Read with me. 00:05:53.219 --> 00:05:58.259 But to Jonah this seemed very wrong and he became angry. 00:05:59.279 --> 00:06:00.319 He prayed to the Lord, 00:06:00.579 --> 00:06:03.399 Isn't this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? 00:06:03.399 --> 00:06:08.239 That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. 00:06:08.739 --> 00:06:12.120 I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, 00:06:12.620 --> 00:06:17.719 slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. 00:06:18.639 --> 00:06:24.439 Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live. 00:06:26.739 --> 00:06:30.379 So Jonah is getting angry because of who God is 00:06:30.379 --> 00:06:34.319 and the mercy that he has shown to repentant Nineveh. 00:06:35.480 --> 00:06:37.240 But he isn't just a wee bit annoyed. 00:06:38.240 --> 00:06:42.180 He considers what God has done to be very wrong. 00:06:43.000 --> 00:06:43.439 Why? 00:06:44.719 --> 00:06:49.860 Could it be that Jonah is being nationalistic and worried that God's mercy falling on Nineveh 00:06:49.860 --> 00:06:53.439 means that it will be robbed from the nation of Israel? 00:06:53.439 --> 00:06:59.060 Could it be that he hates the Ninevites and harbors racist thoughts against them? 00:06:59.060 --> 00:07:04.199 Could it be that Jonah thinks that Nineveh don't deserve God's mercy? 00:07:05.699 --> 00:07:10.000 Regardless of Jonah's motivation, it's evident that Jonah is angry 00:07:10.000 --> 00:07:13.980 because God showed mercy to a wicked people. 00:07:16.300 --> 00:07:17.860 Jonah basically says, 00:07:17.920 --> 00:07:20.319 God, this is so typical of you. 00:07:21.220 --> 00:07:24.480 How dare you do this to Nineveh of all places? 00:07:24.560 --> 00:07:25.420 You're so loving. 00:07:25.560 --> 00:07:26.379 You're so kind. 00:07:26.379 --> 00:07:28.019 I knew you would do this. 00:07:29.620 --> 00:07:32.040 But he doesn't say that out of worship and thanks. 00:07:33.040 --> 00:07:35.959 He says it out of a sense of frustration and anger. 00:07:37.639 --> 00:07:41.379 See, Jonah's been consistent throughout this book in his anger and in his reluctance. 00:07:43.120 --> 00:07:44.420 In verse 2, he says, 00:07:44.519 --> 00:07:47.680 Isn't this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? 00:07:49.139 --> 00:07:51.680 Reluctant even before he left the gates of Israel. 00:07:51.680 --> 00:08:02.019 Jonah's angry because God acted according to his character to the point in verse 3 where he says it would be better if he had died. 00:08:03.680 --> 00:08:05.480 See, Jonah wants to play God. 00:08:06.540 --> 00:08:10.600 He wants to be the one who determines who is forgiven and who isn't. 00:08:10.600 --> 00:08:13.820 And in verse 3, he basically says, 00:08:13.920 --> 00:08:16.560 If this is what you are going to use me for, 00:08:17.140 --> 00:08:21.040 if you're going to use me to tell a wicked people about forgiveness, 00:08:21.600 --> 00:08:22.540 just kill me. 00:08:23.080 --> 00:08:24.460 I want nothing to do with it. 00:08:25.600 --> 00:08:27.540 He is so angry. 00:08:27.540 --> 00:08:29.740 But here's the thing. 00:08:31.379 --> 00:08:39.220 Jonah has forgotten that the only reason he is still alive is precisely because God is gracious and compassionate, 00:08:39.920 --> 00:08:42.080 slow to anger and abounding in love. 00:08:42.860 --> 00:08:45.659 From the beginning of this story, Jonah has been reluctant, 00:08:46.500 --> 00:08:51.080 running away, trying to stop God's plan of mercy from happening, 00:08:51.980 --> 00:08:54.340 consistently being disobedient. 00:08:54.340 --> 00:08:58.720 And yet God spares him and continues to use him. 00:08:58.920 --> 00:08:59.220 Why? 00:08:59.860 --> 00:09:02.720 Well, because God is gracious and compassionate, 00:09:03.540 --> 00:09:06.600 slow to anger and abounding in love. 00:09:07.620 --> 00:09:11.180 And that's also the only reason that the nation of Israel still exists. 00:09:12.379 --> 00:09:18.660 See, these descriptions of God that Jonah says in verse 2 were first spoken in Exodus chapter 34. 00:09:18.860 --> 00:09:21.160 Drop that down and you can look it up later. 00:09:21.159 --> 00:09:28.959 The tragic story of Exodus 32 to 34 is that the nation of Israel rebelled against God 00:09:28.959 --> 00:09:32.259 and began to worship a golden calf. 00:09:33.100 --> 00:09:37.240 Now, just a side note, if you were here for our first sermon in this series, 00:09:37.339 --> 00:09:44.319 the context of Jonah that we looked at was that Israel at this time had set up two golden calves 00:09:44.319 --> 00:09:46.279 in the north and the south of Israel. 00:09:46.279 --> 00:09:49.779 So alarm bells should be ringing in our minds. 00:09:51.419 --> 00:09:57.120 And so God saw the rebellion of Israel in Exodus and was angry at their idolatry, 00:09:57.240 --> 00:10:02.500 but showing his mercy, his kindness, his love and his patience, 00:10:03.019 --> 00:10:10.559 he renewed his covenant with them and gave them this revelation of himself from Exodus 34 verse 6. 00:10:10.559 --> 00:10:11.899 God says, 00:10:11.899 --> 00:10:15.119 The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, 00:10:15.239 --> 00:10:19.500 slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. 00:10:20.559 --> 00:10:22.819 See, Jonah knew that well, 00:10:23.119 --> 00:10:27.099 to the point where he uses the same words to describe who God is, 00:10:27.199 --> 00:10:29.339 but in an accusing way, 00:10:29.799 --> 00:10:32.459 rather than in an attitude of praise. 00:10:35.199 --> 00:10:37.259 Jonah is the angry prophet who says, 00:10:37.259 --> 00:10:38.600 I knew this would happen. 00:10:38.720 --> 00:10:42.500 How dare you show mercy to sinful Nineveh? 00:10:44.580 --> 00:10:47.340 Now, before we all jump at the chance to hate on Jonah, 00:10:47.620 --> 00:10:51.539 let's reflect and see how we can have the same attitude today. 00:10:53.159 --> 00:10:56.360 See, there are people in our minds who we think are beyond the gospel. 00:10:57.419 --> 00:11:01.539 People who we think, frankly, we don't want them to be forgiven. 00:11:01.539 --> 00:11:09.740 You've got the big people like dictators and people in the world who have committed atrocities against humanity. 00:11:11.199 --> 00:11:13.659 But we've got it on a local level too, 00:11:14.179 --> 00:11:15.299 in our own city, 00:11:15.819 --> 00:11:17.219 in our own lives, 00:11:17.559 --> 00:11:18.659 our own families, 00:11:18.779 --> 00:11:19.539 our workplaces. 00:11:20.719 --> 00:11:22.779 There are parts of our city, for example, 00:11:22.939 --> 00:11:25.939 and the surrounding areas that do not have a church, 00:11:25.940 --> 00:11:30.180 that have no connection to the good news of Jesus. 00:11:30.380 --> 00:11:31.560 And, realistically, 00:11:32.400 --> 00:11:33.980 we do little about it. 00:11:35.920 --> 00:11:38.860 We have friends and work colleagues who don't know Jesus, 00:11:39.860 --> 00:11:44.120 and maybe we're intentionally not sharing Jesus with them because they're mean. 00:11:44.680 --> 00:11:47.460 They're a bully or they're rude to us in the workplace. 00:11:48.800 --> 00:11:50.640 Maybe you've been hurt by people, 00:11:50.780 --> 00:11:54.420 and you really don't want them to be forgiven because they've hurt you. 00:11:54.419 --> 00:11:59.899 See, it is not our job to dictate who God is merciful to, 00:12:00.779 --> 00:12:02.779 but we are to see his character, 00:12:02.939 --> 00:12:04.139 to know his character, 00:12:04.379 --> 00:12:08.740 and praise him for the mercy and compassion that he has. 00:12:09.639 --> 00:12:12.539 And we should rejoice when people become Christians, 00:12:13.120 --> 00:12:15.860 not assume that we know better than God. 00:12:17.159 --> 00:12:18.159 See, we are not God. 00:12:18.819 --> 00:12:20.699 We are not the ones who save people, 00:12:20.779 --> 00:12:23.799 but we are called to go and tell people the gospel. 00:12:24.419 --> 00:12:27.240 Jonah is an angry prophet who says, 00:12:27.360 --> 00:12:28.360 I knew this would happen. 00:12:28.839 --> 00:12:32.379 How dare you show mercy to sinful Nineveh? 00:12:33.740 --> 00:12:38.339 Then the second thing we see is the response of a compassionate God. 00:12:38.919 --> 00:12:40.159 Look at verse four with me. 00:12:40.839 --> 00:12:41.899 But the Lord replied, 00:12:42.120 --> 00:12:43.959 is it right for you to be angry? 00:12:43.960 --> 00:12:50.160 God responds to Jonah with incredible patience, doesn't he? 00:12:51.460 --> 00:12:54.040 See, here we see God's character worked out again 00:12:54.040 --> 00:12:58.940 because God had every single right to be angry with Jonah. 00:13:00.240 --> 00:13:02.759 He is constantly disobedient. 00:13:03.320 --> 00:13:06.820 He's angry at God for acting according to his character. 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:10.180 Jonah doesn't understand God's grace and his mercy, 00:13:10.179 --> 00:13:14.219 but instead he actually wants people to suffer judgment and die. 00:13:16.539 --> 00:13:19.219 Jonah wants God to judge his creation. 00:13:20.559 --> 00:13:22.659 God has every right to be angry with Jonah. 00:13:24.120 --> 00:13:26.059 But God, being compassionate, 00:13:26.959 --> 00:13:29.459 gently poses a heart-searching question 00:13:29.459 --> 00:13:33.479 that should make Jonah reflect on the goodness of God's mercy 00:13:33.480 --> 00:13:37.060 and how it wasn't only given to the Ninevites, 00:13:37.320 --> 00:13:40.039 but also to him and to the nation of Israel. 00:13:41.220 --> 00:13:42.659 See, out of compassion, God says, 00:13:42.779 --> 00:13:45.820 Jonah, are you right to be angry at the same mercy 00:13:45.820 --> 00:13:48.480 that I have given to you and to your nation? 00:13:50.639 --> 00:13:54.639 Jonah's cast off the Ninevites as idolatrous, 00:13:55.240 --> 00:13:56.800 violent, wicked people. 00:13:58.060 --> 00:13:59.960 But one look at the nation of Israel 00:13:59.960 --> 00:14:02.180 and you'll see that idolatry is rife. 00:14:04.300 --> 00:14:07.480 That God, one look at Jonah's heart 00:14:07.480 --> 00:14:10.379 and we see that he has such a warped view 00:14:10.379 --> 00:14:13.879 that God must act according to what he thinks is good and right. 00:14:16.100 --> 00:14:18.180 Jonah's taking his own forgiveness for granted. 00:14:19.879 --> 00:14:24.920 But God is gently and patiently giving Jonah a lesson in humility. 00:14:27.740 --> 00:14:29.860 Now, isn't it easy for us to be like Jonah? 00:14:30.560 --> 00:14:34.440 And presume that God will be merciful to us. 00:14:36.120 --> 00:14:37.940 See, Christians are forgiven through the death 00:14:37.940 --> 00:14:39.800 and resurrection of Jesus, absolutely. 00:14:40.300 --> 00:14:41.820 And we must remember that. 00:14:43.200 --> 00:14:47.060 And yet we still live in a sinful world. 00:14:47.480 --> 00:14:49.780 And there is that constant battle, isn't there, 00:14:49.820 --> 00:14:54.139 between our old sinful selves and our new identity in Jesus, 00:14:54.259 --> 00:14:55.700 that tension in our lives, 00:14:55.720 --> 00:14:57.580 and we feel it every single day. 00:14:57.580 --> 00:15:00.980 And so when we're hurt by others, 00:15:01.060 --> 00:15:03.480 we think that our anger is completely justified. 00:15:03.480 --> 00:15:08.639 But we forget that God has also shown us immense forgiveness 00:15:08.639 --> 00:15:11.560 for the way we have rebelled against him. 00:15:11.559 --> 00:15:16.439 We expect others to forgive us when we've wronged them. 00:15:17.159 --> 00:15:21.059 And yet we hold on to our anger and we withhold our forgiveness. 00:15:21.059 --> 00:15:24.939 And so we need this same question. 00:15:25.539 --> 00:15:30.339 We need this reminder of humility to be taught that we are not special 00:15:30.340 --> 00:15:32.399 or superior to other people, 00:15:32.399 --> 00:15:36.080 but we are recipients of God's abundant mercy. 00:15:36.080 --> 00:15:41.139 And our desire should be to share that with the world. 00:15:42.139 --> 00:15:45.740 To tell the world of the life-transforming message of the life, 00:15:45.900 --> 00:15:49.560 death, and resurrection of Jesus that should change our hearts 00:15:49.560 --> 00:15:53.280 and that brings us into a right relationship with God. 00:15:53.279 --> 00:15:58.639 Brothers and sisters, remember God's character. 00:15:59.579 --> 00:16:01.319 Let it change your heart. 00:16:02.039 --> 00:16:06.139 Let it impact your thoughts, your actions, your devotion to God, 00:16:06.199 --> 00:16:10.759 and pray for all people to hear and respond to the gospel 00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:13.059 and then go and share it freely. 00:16:14.919 --> 00:16:18.659 A compassionate God responds to an angry prophet and says, 00:16:18.659 --> 00:16:21.399 is it right for you to be angry? 00:16:22.839 --> 00:16:25.039 And then we get the second look at an angry prophet 00:16:25.039 --> 00:16:28.019 who is waiting for disaster to strike. 00:16:29.019 --> 00:16:30.459 Look at verse 5 with me. 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:35.500 Jonah had gone out and sat down at the place east of the city. 00:16:36.199 --> 00:16:37.919 There he made himself a shelter, 00:16:38.679 --> 00:16:42.839 sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. 00:16:44.879 --> 00:16:47.480 So instead of responding to God's question, 00:16:47.480 --> 00:16:51.440 Jonah acts like a toddler and has a tantrum and runs off. 00:16:52.440 --> 00:16:54.740 You know those moments where a child wants something done 00:16:54.740 --> 00:16:57.100 in a very, very specific way. 00:16:57.860 --> 00:17:00.200 And if it's not done in that specific way, 00:17:00.259 --> 00:17:01.019 their world is over. 00:17:01.580 --> 00:17:02.600 Everything is wrong. 00:17:03.019 --> 00:17:06.819 And they run off, they cry, they stomp their feet, 00:17:06.980 --> 00:17:08.920 and they will not be consoled. 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:11.299 A full-blown tantrum. 00:17:13.039 --> 00:17:14.259 That's what happens here. 00:17:14.759 --> 00:17:16.339 But it's just a little bit quieter. 00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:19.360 See, Jonah doesn't respond to God. 00:17:19.920 --> 00:17:22.079 He doesn't reflect on God's question, 00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:23.660 but goes outside the city, 00:17:23.860 --> 00:17:26.660 builds a little shelter for himself 00:17:26.660 --> 00:17:29.860 to see what will happen to this city of Nineveh. 00:17:31.380 --> 00:17:33.059 And you can imagine him, can't you, 00:17:33.079 --> 00:17:35.180 as he's building that little shelter, 00:17:35.360 --> 00:17:36.759 muttering under his breath, 00:17:37.599 --> 00:17:40.279 mocking God's decision and questioning 00:17:40.279 --> 00:17:42.860 everything he knows about God and the Ninevites. 00:17:42.859 --> 00:17:48.500 But notice that his shelter is overlooking the city. 00:17:49.539 --> 00:17:54.019 He is waiting, watching, hoping almost, 00:17:54.859 --> 00:17:58.240 that God's judgment will still fall on Nineveh. 00:18:00.339 --> 00:18:03.639 Jonah's wanting God to suppress his mercy and compassion 00:18:03.639 --> 00:18:06.679 and instead rain down fire on the city 00:18:06.679 --> 00:18:09.099 that he deems unworthy of forgiveness. 00:18:09.099 --> 00:18:14.000 Maybe he even thinks that his accusation of God, 00:18:14.119 --> 00:18:17.679 that his desire to die if God doesn't act the way he sees fit, 00:18:18.019 --> 00:18:19.519 would have changed God's mind. 00:18:20.019 --> 00:18:23.259 As if a mere man can change the mind of God. 00:18:24.539 --> 00:18:25.859 But in his anger, 00:18:25.980 --> 00:18:29.139 Jonah does not rejoice over Nineveh's repentance. 00:18:29.140 --> 00:18:33.360 He waits and he wants their judgment. 00:18:34.480 --> 00:18:37.080 And he's ignoring and disregarding God for acting 00:18:37.080 --> 00:18:38.420 according to his character. 00:18:41.160 --> 00:18:43.000 Now we're not going to sit on a hill 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:45.780 and overlook a city like Jonah did. 00:18:46.940 --> 00:18:50.380 But we are tempted to look at a world steeped in sin 00:18:50.380 --> 00:18:51.759 and think that they're being stupid. 00:18:53.720 --> 00:18:55.800 We're tempted to cast people off 00:18:55.800 --> 00:18:58.060 and consider them as a lost cause. 00:18:59.140 --> 00:19:02.600 For example, our house overlooks two high-rise flats 00:19:02.600 --> 00:19:03.500 here in Edinburgh. 00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:06.440 If we follow the same path of Jonah, 00:19:06.580 --> 00:19:07.600 we can look at those 00:19:07.600 --> 00:19:11.040 and think that all the people who live in those high-rise blocks 00:19:11.040 --> 00:19:14.620 are lost because of some of the issues going on 00:19:14.620 --> 00:19:15.500 in those buildings. 00:19:17.300 --> 00:19:21.540 Or, we can look at those high-rise flats as a mission field 00:19:21.540 --> 00:19:26.360 full of broken people who need to hear about Jesus. 00:19:26.359 --> 00:19:29.879 But it goes deeper than that too. 00:19:31.379 --> 00:19:33.619 See, when we think about people who have harmed us, 00:19:33.699 --> 00:19:38.179 do we like the idea of them suffering for their sin? 00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:43.899 Do we hope that people will be exposed 00:19:43.899 --> 00:19:45.879 and get tripped up by their sin? 00:19:45.919 --> 00:19:48.399 Or do we pray that God would change their hearts 00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:51.620 and remember that God can make a new creation 00:19:51.620 --> 00:19:53.180 of every single person? 00:19:55.180 --> 00:19:58.400 God forgives Nineveh, but Jonah doesn't. 00:20:00.400 --> 00:20:02.500 See, the thing we forget when we look about the world 00:20:02.500 --> 00:20:03.340 steeped in sin 00:20:03.340 --> 00:20:06.740 is that we were once those people too. 00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:10.620 We're not better than anyone else. 00:20:10.700 --> 00:20:13.799 The only benefit we have in this life is Jesus. 00:20:15.779 --> 00:20:18.559 The most important thing this world needs is Jesus. 00:20:18.700 --> 00:20:19.740 We're not to judge 00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:22.599 or anticipate people's response 00:20:22.599 --> 00:20:27.559 or to look forward to people's judgment with joy, 00:20:27.660 --> 00:20:29.620 but we are to have compassion on a world 00:20:29.620 --> 00:20:30.940 and share Jesus with them. 00:20:30.940 --> 00:20:35.519 This week, I want you to think of one person 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:38.740 and one area in the city that you can pray for, 00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:41.559 one area near where you live. 00:20:42.580 --> 00:20:45.779 Pray for opportunities to share Jesus with that one person. 00:20:46.680 --> 00:20:48.799 Think of ways that you can reach that place 00:20:48.799 --> 00:20:49.759 that you're praying for. 00:20:49.860 --> 00:20:51.840 It may be that you have a coffee and a chat 00:20:51.840 --> 00:20:52.980 with that person. 00:20:53.940 --> 00:20:55.720 It may be that you pray for 00:20:55.720 --> 00:20:57.120 and support a church plant 00:20:57.120 --> 00:20:58.960 in a specific area of this city 00:20:58.960 --> 00:21:00.220 or wherever you live. 00:21:01.400 --> 00:21:03.519 It may be talking about your faith openly 00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:06.559 with your family, your friends, your work colleagues. 00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:11.039 But also ask, we must ask ourselves, 00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:13.380 when we see God's mercy 00:21:13.380 --> 00:21:15.740 being shown to a sinful world, 00:21:15.819 --> 00:21:16.960 will we resent it 00:21:16.960 --> 00:21:19.460 or will we rejoice about it? 00:21:22.460 --> 00:21:25.059 And then we get the final contrast in this chapter, 00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:28.299 the final response of a compassionate God. 00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:30.180 He gives an object lesson 00:21:30.180 --> 00:21:32.480 in what it means to be compassionate. 00:21:33.419 --> 00:21:35.119 So from verse six onwards, 00:21:35.579 --> 00:21:37.319 God gives Jonah this object lesson 00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:38.859 to help him understand that 00:21:38.859 --> 00:21:41.159 as we've been thinking through this whole series, 00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:43.319 it is God who saves. 00:21:44.379 --> 00:21:45.740 That God's mercy and grace 00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:46.899 are to be shared freely, 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:49.819 not hoarded by a small number of people. 00:21:51.680 --> 00:21:53.819 God shows undeserved kindness 00:21:53.819 --> 00:21:55.559 to Jonah in verse six. 00:21:55.639 --> 00:21:56.279 Read it with me. 00:21:56.279 --> 00:21:59.599 Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant 00:21:59.599 --> 00:22:01.879 and made it grow over Jonah 00:22:01.879 --> 00:22:03.839 to give shade for his head 00:22:03.839 --> 00:22:05.160 to ease his discomfort. 00:22:05.399 --> 00:22:08.960 And Jonah was very happy about the plant. 00:22:10.899 --> 00:22:13.099 Now notice two things about this verse. 00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:17.920 First, it is God who provided the plant for Jonah. 00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:20.859 In verse six, seven, and eight, 00:22:20.940 --> 00:22:24.059 it says three times that God provides, 00:22:24.059 --> 00:22:27.159 highlighting the fact that he is the creator. 00:22:27.379 --> 00:22:29.480 He is the one who is in absolute control. 00:22:31.220 --> 00:22:33.099 But then the second thing to notice 00:22:33.099 --> 00:22:35.059 is at the end of verse six, 00:22:35.859 --> 00:22:38.839 Jonah was very happy about the plant. 00:22:40.419 --> 00:22:42.279 See, Jonah's happy that his discomfort 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:43.940 from sitting under the hot sun, 00:22:44.039 --> 00:22:45.679 beating on his head all day, 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:46.579 has been taken away. 00:22:46.579 --> 00:22:50.039 It pleases Jonah that he has this plant. 00:22:51.579 --> 00:22:53.879 And this is the first and only time 00:22:53.879 --> 00:22:57.199 in the book of Jonah that he is pleased. 00:22:58.480 --> 00:23:00.899 And it's for completely selfish reasons. 00:23:00.900 --> 00:23:05.060 And so the Lord provided a worm 00:23:05.060 --> 00:23:06.640 to chew the plant in verse seven, 00:23:06.759 --> 00:23:09.620 the sun and a strong wind in verse eight 00:23:09.620 --> 00:23:10.440 to wither the plant. 00:23:11.380 --> 00:23:14.040 God allows Jonah to feel the full extent 00:23:14.040 --> 00:23:17.420 of his discomfort sitting in the blazing heat 00:23:17.420 --> 00:23:19.600 of direct sunlight as he sits, 00:23:20.140 --> 00:23:22.180 wanting a city to fall in judgment. 00:23:24.180 --> 00:23:26.600 And Jonah begins to grow faint. 00:23:26.759 --> 00:23:28.680 And at the end of verse eight, 00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:32.400 he says, it will be better for me to die than to live. 00:23:34.140 --> 00:23:36.900 And we get that same question again in verse nine. 00:23:37.320 --> 00:23:41.160 Is it right for you to be angry about the plant? 00:23:43.180 --> 00:23:44.160 Now, at this point, 00:23:44.180 --> 00:23:46.140 we might hope that he's learned his lesson, right? 00:23:46.840 --> 00:23:49.680 That he might cry out to God from his disaster, 00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:53.039 that he wouldn't want even his worst enemies 00:23:53.039 --> 00:23:55.080 to be going through what he's going through. 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:57.560 And that's a fraction of the judgment 00:23:57.559 --> 00:24:00.139 that would befall Nineveh if they didn't repent. 00:24:03.980 --> 00:24:07.059 We want Jonah to repent for being merciless, 00:24:07.559 --> 00:24:10.339 for having no compassion and grace on the Ninevites. 00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:13.480 But instead, he hardens his heart even more. 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:16.500 And he is adamant that his anger is right. 00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:18.399 He responds basically by saying, 00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:20.220 yes, I should be angry. 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:23.900 That plant meant so much to me. 00:24:24.039 --> 00:24:26.100 And it's wrong that you took it away. 00:24:27.059 --> 00:24:29.720 That plant should have lived to enjoy life, 00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:32.400 to be a blessing, not to be cursed, 00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:34.180 to be shown mercy, not disaster. 00:24:36.180 --> 00:24:39.220 Another keen listener cannot help but think, 00:24:39.920 --> 00:24:41.600 Jonah, if you think that for a plant, 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:44.740 why on earth can you not see 00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:48.319 that that is true for a city of 120,000 people? 00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:52.079 And that's exactly what God draws out 00:24:52.079 --> 00:24:55.380 in his final response to Jonah in verses 10 to 11. 00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:59.079 God describes the plant in verse 10 00:24:59.079 --> 00:25:02.200 to help Jonah see that he had nothing to do with it. 00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:03.559 He didn't plant it. 00:25:03.620 --> 00:25:04.579 He didn't cultivate it. 00:25:04.620 --> 00:25:05.500 He didn't water it. 00:25:06.079 --> 00:25:07.940 Everything was under God's control. 00:25:08.079 --> 00:25:10.000 This plant should mean very little, 00:25:10.200 --> 00:25:12.180 if not nothing, to Jonah. 00:25:12.180 --> 00:25:17.460 But how different should it be for God 00:25:17.460 --> 00:25:20.759 and his care for a city of Nineveh? 00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:22.740 People that he created, 00:25:23.160 --> 00:25:26.299 120,000 of his image bearers, 00:25:26.420 --> 00:25:30.220 people utterly lost without God's mercy. 00:25:31.279 --> 00:25:32.560 That's what God says in verse 11. 00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:33.299 God is saying, 00:25:33.680 --> 00:25:35.660 Jonah, that city should mean more to you 00:25:35.660 --> 00:25:37.000 than this measly little plant. 00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:40.640 And in a humorous way, 00:25:40.640 --> 00:25:43.880 a good example of the use of irony in Hebrew literature, 00:25:44.080 --> 00:25:44.640 God says, 00:25:45.080 --> 00:25:46.800 if the people don't matter to you, Jonah, 00:25:46.880 --> 00:25:47.920 think of the animals. 00:25:48.460 --> 00:25:49.680 That's how verse 11 ends. 00:25:51.120 --> 00:25:53.020 And the book ends with a question. 00:25:53.180 --> 00:25:54.140 God basically saying, 00:25:54.280 --> 00:25:57.080 isn't it right for me to show love and mercy to all people, 00:25:57.920 --> 00:26:00.100 even those who you think don't deserve it? 00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:03.940 And I think the book deliberately ends that way 00:26:03.940 --> 00:26:06.220 because it means that the readers are the one 00:26:06.220 --> 00:26:08.380 who have to ponder the response. 00:26:08.380 --> 00:26:12.040 The original readers of the rebellious 00:26:12.040 --> 00:26:14.080 and idolatrous nation of Israel, 00:26:14.520 --> 00:26:16.400 who in their pride and sin 00:26:16.400 --> 00:26:19.180 had presumed that their prosperity and peace 00:26:19.180 --> 00:26:20.900 was a sign of God's favor, 00:26:21.900 --> 00:26:23.440 but who had forgotten their duty 00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:25.280 to be witnesses in the world 00:26:25.280 --> 00:26:26.820 of the great God that they served. 00:26:28.420 --> 00:26:32.580 But the question is just as relevant today 00:26:32.580 --> 00:26:34.620 in 2022 in Brunsfield. 00:26:34.619 --> 00:26:37.699 So the thing that we need to remember 00:26:37.699 --> 00:26:39.799 as we end our series in Jonah tonight 00:26:39.799 --> 00:26:41.859 is the overarching theme 00:26:41.859 --> 00:26:44.000 that it is the Lord who saves. 00:26:45.099 --> 00:26:47.339 He is the one who shows compassion and mercy. 00:26:47.979 --> 00:26:50.039 He is the one who is slow to anger 00:26:50.039 --> 00:26:51.379 and abounding in love. 00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:54.539 And the only reason that we are here this evening 00:26:54.539 --> 00:26:57.539 is because of his character. 00:26:57.539 --> 00:27:00.940 And the ultimate expression of that character 00:27:00.940 --> 00:27:03.000 is what we're going to celebrate in a few moments 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:06.099 as we remember Jesus' death and resurrection 00:27:06.099 --> 00:27:07.879 as we celebrate communion together. 00:27:10.859 --> 00:27:13.819 But it should also change the way we view the world we live in. 00:27:14.819 --> 00:27:17.500 And remember that our role is to be witnesses, 00:27:17.720 --> 00:27:19.220 to be ambassadors of Jesus 00:27:19.220 --> 00:27:22.339 who go out to all kinds of people 00:27:22.339 --> 00:27:24.259 in all kinds of places 00:27:24.259 --> 00:27:25.879 and freely share the gospel 00:27:25.879 --> 00:27:27.859 without any hesitation on our part. 00:27:30.039 --> 00:27:31.200 So your love for the Lord 00:27:31.200 --> 00:27:33.900 should produce in us a love for his people, yes, 00:27:34.240 --> 00:27:36.420 but also a deep, deep love 00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:38.259 for the lost people of this world. 00:27:40.180 --> 00:27:42.140 We live in a country where currently 00:27:42.140 --> 00:27:45.119 less than 2% of the population know Jesus. 00:27:45.119 --> 00:27:49.959 That means that over 90% of this country 00:27:49.959 --> 00:27:52.859 is on a road to hell with no hope in Jesus. 00:27:54.719 --> 00:27:56.339 That should break our hearts. 00:27:57.519 --> 00:28:01.399 And that should move our feet to go. 00:28:01.500 --> 00:28:03.519 It should open our lips to speak 00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:05.419 the glorious truth of the gospel, 00:28:05.579 --> 00:28:07.879 the glorious truth that it is God who saves. 00:28:10.279 --> 00:28:12.679 If we choose who we show mercy, 00:28:13.439 --> 00:28:14.500 love and grace to, 00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:17.539 we are disciples of Jonah, not Jesus. 00:28:20.099 --> 00:28:22.339 Jonah was written so that the nation of Israel 00:28:22.339 --> 00:28:24.180 could reflect on their view of God, 00:28:24.839 --> 00:28:26.279 their view of the nations around them, 00:28:26.299 --> 00:28:27.440 and their view of themselves. 00:28:28.539 --> 00:28:30.859 They presumed on God's goodness 00:28:30.859 --> 00:28:32.880 and took his loving kindness 00:28:32.880 --> 00:28:34.279 and compassion for granted. 00:28:36.400 --> 00:28:38.799 This chapter especially should challenge 00:28:38.799 --> 00:28:41.059 the way we think about 00:28:41.059 --> 00:28:43.240 and how we respond to this God 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:45.380 who is faithful and compassionate 00:28:45.380 --> 00:28:49.700 and how we live in light of our relationship with him. 00:28:49.700 --> 00:28:52.900 So if you're taking notes, 00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:54.799 jot down these three quick questions 00:28:54.799 --> 00:28:56.720 and think about them in the coming days. 00:28:58.080 --> 00:28:59.819 What is it that makes you happy? 00:29:00.620 --> 00:29:01.400 Question one. 00:29:02.680 --> 00:29:03.600 Is it the plant 00:29:03.600 --> 00:29:06.059 whilst you want others to suffer? 00:29:07.420 --> 00:29:08.220 Question two. 00:29:08.420 --> 00:29:09.980 What is it that makes you angry? 00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:14.819 Is it the repentance of those who we consider enemies? 00:29:16.660 --> 00:29:17.660 Question number three. 00:29:17.819 --> 00:29:19.460 What makes you want to give up? 00:29:20.500 --> 00:29:24.079 Is it because God is not acting exactly like you think he should? 00:29:25.019 --> 00:29:26.819 Are you trying to play God? 00:29:26.819 --> 00:29:29.879 So what makes us angry? 00:29:30.980 --> 00:29:33.079 Jonah was angry because Nineveh repented 00:29:33.079 --> 00:29:34.500 and that is contrasted 00:29:34.500 --> 00:29:37.839 with the immense compassion of God. 00:29:39.179 --> 00:29:41.659 And when we see God's love 00:29:41.659 --> 00:29:44.799 and mercy being showed to a sinful world, 00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:47.720 will we resent it? 00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:50.279 Or will we rejoice about it? 00:29:51.679 --> 00:29:52.639 Let's pray together. 00:29:52.639 --> 00:29:52.740 Amen. 00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:52.779 Amen. 00:29:56.819 --> 00:30:00.639 Heavenly Father, 00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:02.379 we ask you for forgiveness 00:30:02.379 --> 00:30:04.740 for the times that we have looked at this world 00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:08.339 and looked forward to some kind of judgment 00:30:08.339 --> 00:30:10.319 to follow them because of their sin, 00:30:10.599 --> 00:30:12.359 maybe because of how we've been hurt. 00:30:14.759 --> 00:30:17.439 Father, would you help us never to rejoice 00:30:17.439 --> 00:30:18.980 at people's judgment, 00:30:19.980 --> 00:30:22.759 but help us to see the judgment coming for them 00:30:22.759 --> 00:30:25.460 and to have such a burden for them 00:30:25.460 --> 00:30:26.779 to come to know Jesus. 00:30:26.819 --> 00:30:27.879 To find life, 00:30:28.339 --> 00:30:30.539 to find a restored relationship with you. 00:30:32.619 --> 00:30:36.200 Father, help us to take that burden 00:30:36.200 --> 00:30:41.119 and to share Jesus with the world. 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:44.279 Help us to love people so much 00:30:44.279 --> 00:30:48.220 that we cannot help but share Jesus with them. 00:30:49.240 --> 00:30:50.240 In his name we pray. 00:30:51.240 --> 00:30:51.599 Amen.