Jonah: Confronted by Grace

Sunday we will start a new series in the Old Testament studying the book of Jonah. You probably know the story, but it might surprise you that Jonah represents the people of God. The lessons Jonah learns are the same lessons that God wants to teach Israel.

This Sunday we’ll begin by considering a central verse of the little book, Jonah 4:2. In this text, Jonah is angry that God isn’t destroying Nineveh and he prays, saying, “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 knows that God is gracious and counts on it for himself, but can’t imagine extending that grace to the Assyrians. God confronts Jonah with his grace throughout this book and subsequently confronts the nation of Israel.

Grace is not earned or deserved; it isn’t reciprocal and we can’t demand it; it’s grace!

Come Sunday and let’s study this familiar story!