God’s Saving Word: Mercy and Forgiveness
Introduction
Jonah 4:1-11: When the people of Nineveh give up their wicked behavior, Jonah becomes angry and pouts. God challenges Jonah about his right to feel angry.
Scripture Reading
Jonah’s Anger and God’s Mercy
4 Jonah was very unhappy about this and became angry. 2 So he prayed, “Lord, didn’t I say before I left home that this is just what you would do? That’s why I did my best to run away to Spain! I knew that you are a loving and merciful God, always patient, always kind, and always ready to change your mind and not punish. 3 Now then, Lord, let me die. I am better off dead than alive.”
4 The Lord answered, “What right do you have to be angry?”
5 Jonah went out east of the city and sat down. He made a shelter for himself and sat in its shade, waiting to see what would happen to Nineveh. 6 Then the Lord God made a plant grow up over Jonah to give him some shade, so that he would be more comfortable. Jonah was extremely pleased with the plant. 7 But at dawn the next day, at God’s command, a worm attacked the plant, and it died. 8 After the sun had risen, God sent a hot east wind, and Jonah was about to faint from the heat of the sun beating down on his head. So he wished he were dead.[a] “I am better off dead than alive,” he said.
9 But God said to him, “What right do you have to be angry about the plant?”
Jonah replied, “I have every right to be angry—angry enough to die!”
10 The Lord said to him, “This plant grew up in one night and disappeared the next; you didn’t do anything for it and you didn’t make it grow—yet you feel sorry for it! 11 How much more, then, should I have pity on Nineveh, that great city. After all, it has more than 120,000 innocent children in it, as well as many animals!”
Today’s Key Verse: Jonah 4:2b
[Jonah prayed:] “You are a loving and merciful God, always patient, always kind, and always ready to change your mind and not punish.”
Reflect
What was Jonah unhappy about? Why? How did God respond to Jonah’s anger? Why did God have pity on Nineveh? What does today’s reading teach you about God’s love and mercy?
Pray
Loving and merciful God, there are times when I am angry. I cannot hide my thoughts from you. Teach me to seek your ways and help me to overcome those thoughts that are not in accord with your will. Thank you for your kindness and patience with me and for always restoring me to a right relationship with you. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Psalm 103: A psalm of praise for God’s mercy and forgiveness.
