Written by Lesallan – August 8, 2023
Old Testament Devotional – Jonah’s Anger
I do not necessarily find it odd that Jonah became so angry and frustrated with God. Throughout the Bible, there are many instances where people, prophets, and others expressed significant anger, frustration, or even disappointment with God. Biblical figures such as Moses, Elijah, and even Job who wrote, “Though I cry, ‘Violence!’ I get no response; though I call for help, there is no justice” (Job 19:7, NIV). This passage is just one expression of anger, frustration, and even dissatisfaction with what God had done or would do besides Jonah’s found in the Bible.
Jonah was angered because he knew God had told Moses that He was “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6, NIV). It could be assumed that because Jonah knew of Moses and what God had said to Moses, Jonah knew the people of Nineveh would be spared from God sending calamity (Jonah 4:2, NIV). Because Jonah saw that God had spared the people of Nineveh from the calamity that He had promised, and because of Jonah’s human nature, “this seemed very wrong, and became angry” (Jonah 4:1, NIV). Jonah, having been shown grace himself in the belly of the fish, still held on to his stubborn heart. Jonah was resentful and could not emotionally feel pity for the people of Nineveh that he felt for a small plant (Jonah 4:5-10, NIV). Jonah completely failed to see that God’s compassion was not only reserved for him but was for all people. Jonah did not want to share the steadfast love God had shown him, and he did not want to share with the nations (Jonah 4:2, NIV) the steadfast love these people needed and for which God stood ready to give to them.
In His response to Jonah in the Old Testament, God was trying to teach him a lesson that is echoed again in the New Testament. The lesson God was trying to teach Jonah is God’s first and greatest commandment, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-44, NIV). All that God wants from His people throughout life is to try at least and “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48, NIV). I said try because we know no one is as perfect as God. The thing I have found with the Book of Jonah (NIV) is that there is no definite conclusion to Jonah’s story. Nowhere can it be found written in the Bible on what ultimately happened to Jonah and the rest of his life.
Blessings!
Lesallan
Ohio Christian University
BIB2015 Old Testament Interpretation (ONLF23)
Professor Mark Godbold
August 8, 2023
