Jonah the Angry Prophet

This morning I felt like reading the book of Jonah. This is such an interesting book, with such a colorful character in Jonah. My verses for meditation come from chapters 3 & 4:

Jonah 3:1-5, 10 NIV:

[1] "Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: [2] “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” [3] Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. [4] Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” [5] The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.

[10] When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened."

Jonah 4:1-4 NIV:

[1] "But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. [2] 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. [3] Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.”

[4] But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?”

I guess you could title Jonah the "angry prophet" for his response to the Lord having mercy on the people of Ninevah was to become angry. In fact, he expected the Lord to relent from the very beginning, which is why he tried to flee from the call of God. He was so judgmental that he had lost all connection to the heart of God. He knew God was merciful and compassionate but he wanted God to bring judgment! He was angry with God for having mercy! It would almost be a comical story if this wasn't so true of some Christians.

I have personally witnessed this same spirit at work in the Body of Christ, where fellow Christians prophesy calamity or judgment over a people or region, and sit back with a judgmental heart just waiting for God to unleash judgment. Often times this prophesied judgment is related to areas where sin is prevalent, and the prophecy is directed at a particular sin. I have heard prophecies against California, Las Vegas, and New Orleans over the sins of sexual promiscuity that pervade certain areas. I have heard prophecies against the US in general over abortion and homosexuality. While the definition of sin is right, the heart of the prophetic people is often wrong, and they wrongly prescribe God's heart and actions.

Where the prophetic people lose sight of the heart of God is when they desire to see judgment unleashed, rather than seeing God relent out of mercy and compassion. The judgment would validate their message and prove them right, and thus they hope for judgment. Where they lose sight of God's heart is when they don't consider the impact of God's judgment on the innocent people that would also be affected. They are essentially praying for judgment on all so that there would repentance for those that remain. The problem is that directly goes against the teaching and ministry of Jesus and the church which is under the new covenant.

Jesus came preaching restoration of relationship, not judgement. He preached mercy, compassion, and forgiveness. He established His Kingdom, not through battle, judgment or warfare, but rather through healing, deliverance and miracles. He does speak about judgment, but in context of the day of judgment at the end of the age. Jesus confronted the lies and deceptions of the enemy, and destroyed his works, but He never touched the people. He summed up His mission in these famous passages from John 3:16-17 NIV: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn (judge) the world, but to save the world through him."

Peter in his second letter sums this all up nicely, as follows:

2 Peter 3:8-15 NIV

[8] "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. [9] The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

[10] But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

[11] Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives [12] as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. [13] But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

[14] So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. [15] Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him."

As Jesus said, He came to save the world not condemn it. Condemnation requires judgment and He has reserved that for the end of the age. As Peter writes, until that time He is being patient so that all might be saved.

So, let us preach the Kingdom not judgment, extend mercy, compassion and forgiveness and pray that all might be saved. Let us be a people known for our love and compassion, not our angry prophetic calls for judgment.