December 13
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JONAH’S ANGER ON GOD’S MERCY
A poem by ILMA
When God decided not to punish the Ninevites, Jonah was greatly upset
He complained to the LORD saying, “Didn’t I said that you will do this exactly?
That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are going to show mercy
For you are a sympathetic God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love
Kill me now LORD! I’d rather be dead than to see what I’ve foretold won’t happen.”
The LORD replied, “Is it right for you to be angry about this?”
Jonah went out to the east side of the city and made a shelter to sit under
Then he sat there and waited to see what would happen to the city
And the LORD God arranged for a leafy plant to grow there
Soon it spread its broad leaves over Jonah’s head, shading him from the sun
This eased his discomfort, and Jonah was very grateful for the plant
The next morning the worm ate the stem of the plant then, it withered away.
When the sun grew hot, God arranged for the east wind to blow on Jonah
The sun beat down on his head until he grew faint and wished to die
“Death is certainly better than living like this!” he exclaimed
Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry because the plant died?”
God said, “You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there
Nineveh was in spiritual darkness, Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?”
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MEMORY VERSE
Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city? – Jonah 4:11
Read: Jonah 4
It is interesting how Jonah reacted to how God gave Nineveh mercy and pardon. This was the reason why he didn’t want to go in the first place and he was so proud to accept God’s forgiveness.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think some people don’t want others to be given mercy by God?
• What happens when we repent and confess our sins?