Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh because of who God is. He said to God, after he had delivered His message to the people of Nineveh, “That’s what I said, and that’s why I was going to Tarshish. I know that you are gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and great in kindness, and always averse to evil.” He was saying, “Because I know that you are gracious, elegant, and dignified, and therefore will forgive them if they repent, that’s why I didn’t want to go to tell them anything about their sins.”
Jonah wanted to tell the people about their sins, but at the same time, he wanted God’s wrath to fall on them. He did not want them forgiven, so he became angry because of the lingering thought, “What if they repented?” He could not stand to think of them repenting because of the gracious goodness of God.
Think for a moment: When you are witnessing to others, do you really want them to repent and receive forgiveness, or do you just want to have knowledge of their wrongdoing?
This is today’s crosspoint. Have a wonderful weekend.
Accompanying Bible verses
- Jonah 4:2 (NIV): “He prayed to the Lord, ‘Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.'”
- 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV): “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
- Matthew 5:44 (NIV): “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
