Is it right for you to be angry?

Is it right for you to be angry?

Scripture: But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. He prayed to the LORD, “Isn’t this what I said, LORD, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. 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 away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” But the LORD replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?” Jonah 4:1-4

But the LORD said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?” Jonah 4:10-11

Observation: In this last chapter of Jonah, we see the prophet becoming very angry that the Lord had spared Nineveh. Taking it personally, he literally threw a temper in front of God, asking God to take away his life. Then, as Jonah sulked away some distance from the city, the Lord used a practical example to teach him a lesson, bringing Jonah a plant to comfort him and taking it away overnight. When Jonah again voiced his anger, the Lord explained to him that if he cared for a simple plant, how much more would God care for a city of more than 120,000 people and also many animals.

There are quite a few lessons we can learn from this chapter. Firstly, God’s ways are higher than our ways. Jonah couldn’t understand how he could spare Nineveh. He was looking from a human perspective, and could not understand why the Ninevites should deserve any mercy. However, from God’s perspective, they too are his children, although they had gone far astray. It is not for us to decide who deserves mercy and who doesn’t.  The Lord decides what is right to do in His sight.

Secondly, as Jonah rightly mentioned, our God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, who relents from sending calamity. Because of the righteousness of God’s nature, He will bring judgment upon sin and rebellion. However, at the same time, because of His great love, He opens the avenue for mercy if men would humble themselves and come to Him in repentance.

Thirdly, it is not for us to judge others. As Jesus said “Do not judge or you too will be judged”. Jonah did not have a right to judge the Ninevites and decided whether or not they should receive mercy. We are all sinners saved by grace. It is for us to walk humbly before the Lord.

Fourth, God is also concerned about animals. Jesus later mentioned that not one sparrow falls to the ground apart from the will of God the Father. Just as God treasures His creation, we too should treasure and respect the animals that God has made. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t kill mosquitoes and pests or eat meat. However, we should not torture or hurt animals or insects for fun.

Application: Remember that God’s ways are always higher than our ways. His wisdom is always greater than ours. Praise God that He is loving and merciful although He is just and righteous. Remember not to judge others but leave all judgment to God. Remember that animals are God’s precious creation. Therefore we should not treat animal’s lives lightly.

Prayer: O Lord, as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are Your ways higher than our ways, and Your thoughts than our thoughts. Help me always submit to Your wisdom O Lord. Praise You Heavenly Father for Your great love and mercy to us on earth. Let me not judge others, but learn to love others as You have loved me. Give me also a fresh appreciation of Your beautiful creation, even the animals that roam the earth. Bless Your Heavenly name O Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.