Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

Angry at God's Mercy

Bryan Schneider · June 15, 2024

Jonah 4

sharonrpc.org/sermons/angry-at-god-s-mercy

Scripture

Sermon Text - Jonah 4

Jonah’s Anger and God’s Kindness

1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. 2 So he prayed to the Lord, and said, “Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm. 3 Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it isbetter for me to die than to live!”

4 Then the Lord said, “Is it right for you to be angry?”

5 So Jonah went out of the city and sat on the east side of the city. There he made himself a shelter and sat under it in the shade, till he might see what would become of the city. 6 And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant. 7 But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered. 8 And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.”

9 Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”

And he said, “It is right for me to be angry, even to death!”

10 But the Lord said, “You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. 11 And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left, and much livestock?”

New King James Version (NKJV)

Summary

Jonah is angry because he knows the Lord is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and willing to relent when sinners repent.
God uses the plant, worm, east wind, and scorching sun to expose Jonah's selective compassion and self-righteous desire for judgment.
If God immediately displayed the fullness of his justice against every sinner, none of us would stand; Christians themselves live only by undeserved mercy.
God's justice is not ignored but satisfied in Jesus Christ, who laid down his life for sinners from the nations as well as for us.
The sermon calls us to cling to our compassionate King, reject pride, remember what grace has rescued us from, and extend compassion to others.

Reflection and discussion

Whose repentance or salvation would tempt me to react more like Jonah than like our compassionate King?
Where do I demand strict justice for others while excusing my own need for mercy?
How does Christ's satisfaction of divine justice free me to forgive and show compassion?
What evidence of self-righteousness appears in the way I speak about people outside my community, church, or political group?
How can remembering what I once was produce humble gratitude rather than superiority?
To whom is God calling me to carry the gospel instead of withholding it?

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