Jonah Questions God

May 27th, 2012

1st Exchange Between God and Jonah

I. Jonah questions God with anger and displeasure.

II. God questions Jonah

2nd Exchange Between God and Jonah

I. Jonah responds by sulkingII. God responds with 3 sovereign

acts.

3 Sovereign Acts of God

1) God appoints a vine2) God appoints a worm3) God appoints a scorching east

wind

3rd Exchange Between God and Jonah

I. Jonah speaks of death again II. God questions Jonah again

4th Exchange Between God and Jonah

I. Jonah finally answers God’s question

II. God responds by contrasting the vine with Nineveh

Ways We Are Similar to Jonah

1st Way: Like Jonah, our anger and displeasure with God does not sway His purposes – our anger

towards God only damages ourselves.

What Our Anger Towards God Reveals About Us

a) Our anger towards God reveals that we want to influence God to see things our way.

b) Our anger towards God reveals that we believe our rights are being violated by God.

c) Our anger towards God reveals a misunderstanding of grace because our anger is rooted in a belief that we deserve better.

d) Our anger towards God reveals that our pride has been wounded.

5 Point Description of God’s Nature

1) You are a gracious God – God’s Grace.2) You are a compassionate God – God’s

Compassion.3) You are slow to anger – God’s

Patience.4) You are abounding in love – God’s

Love.5) You relent from sending calamity –

God’s Mercy.This is what angered Jonah!

Ways We Are Similar to Jonah

2nd Way: Like Jonah, our joy can rest in God’s provisional blessings

instead of resting in God Himself.

Ways We Are Similar to Jonah

3rd Way: Like Jonah, we do not see the ignorance of the wicked

as an opportunity – we see it as a reason for them to get what they

deserve.

Ways We Are Similar to Jonah

4th Way: Like Jonah, sometimes we sulk over the fact that God is God alone and more specifically that -

we are not Him!