Jonah: Confronted by God's Grace - Gracious Intervention

Sunday we’ll continue our online worship by studying Jonah chapter four. This chapter has critical messages to the the people of God. First, as we learned when we began this series, Jonah knew God’s compassionate character and that he was sending Jonah because he was intent on showing mercy. Sending Jonah was an act of grace (divine intervention). 

Second, God is confronting Jonah’s (Israel) attitude toward the Assyrians. Jonah wanted mercy for himself, but would deny it to those he “othered.” Instead of loving his enemies, he sits, from a safe distance (social distancing at its best), hoping God will in fact judge Nineveh. God is confronting that prejudice. 

Third, the way God reveals Jonah’s idolatry is by removing his “creature comforts.” God raised up a plant to comfort him, then removes it. Jonah gets very angry, revealing that he cares more about himself than the lost around him. How self-centered our hearts become, insulated from others needs, focused on our first-world problems. 

Join us Sunday as we consider God’s gracious, patient intervention in Jonah’s life.