Final thoughts before we leave Jonah son of Amittai… Jonah wanted to serve God. On Jonah’s terms. Our relationship with Jesus Christ is portrayed in many ways in Scripture. Servant, disciple, ambassador, friend, brother, child, Bride. Never—not once—contract employee. A … Continue reading
The Lord said, “You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow…but Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and … Continue reading
Then the Lord God provided a vine and made it grow up over Jonah…and Jonah was very happy about the vine. But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the vine so that it withered. When … Continue reading
But the Lord replied, “Have you any right to be angry?” (Jonah 4:4) Leave it to God to get right to the heart of the issue. I mean, seriously. Who was Jonah to get so self-righteous and uptight? I love … Continue reading
He prayed to the Lord, “O Lord, is this not what I said…? I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, Lord, take … Continue reading
But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry (Jonah 4:1). I know it’s wrong immature unspiritual but…I love this. I’m so glad we have Jonah. He’s a real man, not a cutout character from a Sunday School felt board. He … Continue reading
When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened (Jonah 5:10). They didn’t deserve it. Mercy, I mean. A little sackcloth … Continue reading
The Ninevites believed God. (Jonah 3:5) Believing God—that’s always a good idea. Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. (Gen 15:6) Anyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. (1 John 5:1) … Continue reading
Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time…Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh (Jonah 3:1-2). A God of second chances—that’s who we serve. After all the grief that Jonah caused, after … Continue reading
And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land (Jonah 2:10). Lovely image, don’t you think? I wonder why we don’t hear more worship songs built around this verse. It isn’t always pretty, the way God … Continue reading