Moron Jonah (you know that's good...)

I couldn't resist. I have since moved on from my reading in Jonah, but I can't help judging him. Which is kind of the point of the story I suppose? This blog is based on a few thoughts...1) Why is Jonah so intent on avoiding grace for Ninevah? 2) I find it hilarious when the Bible draws conclusions I don't understand and then I question why they are there. 3) It sounded really fun.

In answer to number 1- Why didn't Jonah want grace for Ninevah? What was it about these people that made him want their ultimate demise. Jonah was proud, and more than that, he was apparently a racist. I have done some research on the subject, read some articles, studied, prayed...all that jazz...and all signs point to Jonah wanting the best for Israel, and for everyone else to suffer under the wrath of God for what they've done. I mean, they are getting what they deserve, right? That was Jonah, they get what they deserve. If we're honest with ourselves, we think the same way. But the truth is, none of us get what we deserve. Jonah deserved to die, which is why he said throw me overboard and the sea will calm. He knew what he deserved only after God showed him. But we are all sinners, so when we wish ill on others because they have done wrong, we are wishing ill on ourselves because all we do is wrong. All of us like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way...(Isa. 53:6). All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23). We love the grace of God, we talk about how good the grace is to us and how God's grace has saved us. But why is it that we don't realize the guy on the corner who is a drug addict needs the same amount of grace as us. It wasn't measured out relatively, ALL HAVE SINNED!! ALL FALL SHORT! ALL HAVE GONE ASTRAY! The measurement was the cross, and we are no longer found wanting. Grace is sufficient for all...so rather than wishing God's wrath on others, why don't we share His grace?

2) The Bible draws conclusions I can't, and then I question them. In Jonah 4, God gives Jonah the plant for shade and then a worm eats through the plant. Jonah is dramatic and says kill me now, but apparently somewhere in there God decides that he has pitied the vine. The first time I read this I thought, "Whoa whoa...where did he get that from? Jonah never said anything about pitying the plant." And then I was like, "Oh, yeah, He's God. He can read his stupid mind and know exactly what he's thinking." So God teaches him a lesson from thoughts he didn't even convey. But isn't it just like an arrogant human mind to act and pray and speak one way and in our minds have an attitude in the opposite direction? Oh yes God heal them!! I'll pray for you, let me say all the words I know need to be said, and all the while my heart is wicked and black with gossip and bitterness...as if I can hide my thoughts from God? Even when I pray God doesn't hear my words, He hears my heart...and that is terrifying because my heart is unbelievably evil.

Oh Lord that we would be transparent and authentic, not lacking in anything but believing in faith that You are right. Trusting in You for You know more than we do.