Unbridled Anger (Jonah 4:1-4)
20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:20 (ESV)
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident . . . enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, Galatians 5:19–20 (ESV)
The self-absorption of Jonah’s anger
But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. 2 And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster.
Jonah 4:1–2 (ESV)
“‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.” Matthew 11:17–19 (ESV)
21 And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word that the Lord has not spoken?’— 22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him. Deuteronomy 18:21–22 (ESV)
14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! Romans 9:14 (ESV)
The misconception in Jonah’s anger
2 And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. Jonah 4:2 (ESV)
9 For if you return to the Lord, your brothers and your sons will find compassion before those who led them captive and will return to this land. For the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate, and will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him." 2 Chron 30:9 (NASB)
13 And rend your heart and not our garments." Now return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness, and relenting of evil.14 Who knows whether He will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind Him, even a grain offering and a drink offering For the Lord your God? Joel 2:13-14 (NASB); Psalms 86:15
The absurdity from Jonah’s anger
3 Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” Jonah 4:3 (ESV)
The challenge to Jonah’s anger
4 And the Lord said, “Do you do well to be angry?”
Jonah 4:4 (ESV)
The hope in Jonah’s anger
2 And he prayed to the Lord . . . Jonah 4:2 (ESV)
But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. Psalm 73:16–17 (ESV)