1/ Jonah is a clear example of ethnocentricity. He hated the murderous Assyrians for how they tormented the northern kingdom. The Assyrians were warmongers who lusted for blood. Yet, when God commands Jonah to go to Nineveh and call them to repentance, he refuses.
2/ He hates the Assyrians, so much so, that he would deny them peace with God because he wants to see his oppressors destroyed, not repent.
Christians can get caught up in this nonsense and I am sure Jonah had the experiences that backed up his contempt.
Christians can get caught up in this nonsense and I am sure Jonah had the experiences that backed up his contempt.
3/ That said, experience is not preeminent over God's word. First, in that we must obey His every command, and second, that we are to love our enemies, not hate them.
Jonah's desire for Nineveh's destruction was rooted in the justice he wanted to mete out.
Jonah's desire for Nineveh's destruction was rooted in the justice he wanted to mete out.
4/ Beloved, may we never usurp God's role as Judge. We are terrible judges, controlled by the whims of a depraved heart. We are partial, God is not. God's weights and measures are just, ours are not. We show favoritism, God does not.
5/ When man makes himself judge, penance is found in a heavy yolk of acts in a never ending ritual to earn your freedom from bondage.
Satan makes a mockery of forgiveness this way. He repays evil for evil and so does man. Every act of repaying evil for evil...
Satan makes a mockery of forgiveness this way. He repays evil for evil and so does man. Every act of repaying evil for evil...
7/...only escalates hostilities. It appeases the prince of this world (Satan) who celebrates chaos.
On the other hand, God is rich in mercy, and instructs His children to repay evil with good (See Romans 12:21). This de-escalates hostilities. Christ did this on the cross...
On the other hand, God is rich in mercy, and instructs His children to repay evil with good (See Romans 12:21). This de-escalates hostilities. Christ did this on the cross...
8/...absorbing our wrath for those who believe in Christ and repent of their sin. Christ absorbed our wrath. Christians are called to absorb the offenses of others as we emulate Christ who absorbed our every offense against God.
Jonah was chastened for his disobedience and...
Jonah was chastened for his disobedience and...
9/...unwillingness to forgive. It was Jonah's refusal to absorb offenses and seethe on his experiences that allowed bitterness to root, thus his unwillingness to obey God's command.
An unforgiving person will never show mercy or grace. They will demand that you jump through...
An unforgiving person will never show mercy or grace. They will demand that you jump through...
10/...endless hoops which will never appease their contempt.
