Like a Great White silently sneaks up on an unsuspecting swimmer, the green-eyed monster of jealousy sneaks up on us from the depths of the human heart with a vicious bite. The Prophet Jonah experienced jealousy after he had announced to Nineveh that God’s judgment would fall on the city in forty days.
The Assyrians were a feared people, known for their cruelty in war. So, I imagine that Jonah preached with a bit of a smirk, glad that they were getting the punishment they deserved.
After warning the people, Jonah found a spot outside the city where he could watch the fireworks when God torched the city in judgment. Sitting under the scorching sun was miserable for the prophet, so God caused a plant to grow up quickly and provide shade for him. A short time later the plant died, and once again Jonah complained about the hot sun.
As Jonah continued to watch, something he never expected happened. The Assyrians and their king began fasting and wearing sackcloth, signs of repentance. Because of their response, God was going to withhold His punishment. At this, Jonah was mad at God.
Angrily, he told the Lord that the reason why he disobeyed the first time, and headed in the opposite direction of Nineveh, was because “I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.” (Jonah 4:2). In other words, Jonah was upset that God was so kind.
God responded, “Jonah, you were more concerned about the shade from the sun than you were about the thousands of people in Nineveh. Your priorities were way off.” Jonah wasn’t upset so much that God was compassionate and patient. He was upset that God was compassionate and patient toward people that he didn’t like.
What a tragedy when God’s people care more about creaturely comforts than for the interests of God’s will among men. After years of ministry, Paul’s appraisal of most Christians was that “everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 2:21).
As with the Assyrians, some people need to hear words of impending judgment. But Paul also informed us that “God’s kindness leads you toward repentance.” (Romans 2:4). God said, “’Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?’ declares the Sovereign Lord. ‘Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?’” (Ezekiel 18:23).
I’m so glad God never took His judgment out on me. My sins deserved it, but Another already bore the punishment I deserved. I may not have been a cruel person like the Assyrians, but I was still guilty of thumbing my nose at God and choosing to run my own life.
However, Jesus chose to die in the place of sinners, as our Substitute, to bear the full force of God’s wrath against sin so that anyone could repent, turn to God, and live. I did that on September 12, 1971. God continues to be patient, “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9). If you haven’t yet repented and received Christ, today is a good day to do so.
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