Jonah 4 - Introduction

Jonah Runs Ahead of God Jonah Four

Jonah chapter four provides us with a picture of a man running far ahead of God. Jonah, God's pouting prophet wanted the people of Nineveh destroyed. He thought that He knew better than God did as to what their destiny should be. He was displeased with God and with God's will. If we are not careful we may find ourselves in the same spiritual condition as Jonah.

It is true that the Ninevites were both a cruel and wicked nation. Jonah wanted them destroyed because they were basically hated and despised by the Jews. His wish was that they would just be wiped away. But, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9) God loves all people and He wants everyone to be saved. (John 3:16) He could not understand Jonah's wicked attitude. Jonah was more concerned about a gourd vine than about the people of Nineveh. God said, "should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?" (Jonah 4:11) Let us never be like Jonah. We must show mercy on the lost and prayerfully provide them an opportunity to be saved.