Jonah Displeased Exceedingly Jonah 4:1

After seeing the humility and “works” of the king and the people of Nineveh, “God repented of the evil, that he ad said that he would do unto them.” In chapter four and verse one of this prophesy, we see how God's decision “displeased Jonah exceedingly” where we read:

But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.

The verse begins, “But it displeased Jonah exceedingly,...” The author began with the word, “But” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about be written takes precedence over what was just stated, “moreover, nevertheless or nonetheless” “it displeased” which means “God's decision made Jonah tremble, quiver and to be broken up” “Jonah” whose name means “dove” “exceedingly” or “largely in magnitude, intensity, importance and loudness”. Jonah was very upset with God's decision to be merciful and gracious to Nineveh and it's people.

The verse continues, “...and he was very angry.” The author added, “and he was” which refers to Jonah “very angry” or “hot, furious, burning, kindled and incensed”. Not only was Jonah “trembling and quivering” over the LORD's choice for Nineveh,but he was also “infuriated” because of it.

When we consider the words in this verse, we can imagine the “fury” that Jonah experienced when he knew the LORD spared Nineveh. He was commissioned to proclaim that in “forty days Nineveh” would be “destroyed”, and now his words were not going to come to pass. We see in this determination the abundant “grace” of God, and many of us have had the same reaction as Jonah when someone is spared judgment when we think should suffer greatly. Jesus Christ came into the world to “save sinners”, and those who call out to Him in humility and repentance, regardless of how sinful they have been, will receive His abundant grace and Salvation. Oh that we might extend the same “grace” as our Savior Jesus when others are spared pending doom.

Next time we see Jonah complaining to God in prayer, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.