"DOEST THOU WELL TO BE ANGRY?"
JONAH 4:1-5
INTRO:God had just turned away His anger from a city of more than 60,000 people, because His prophet, who had ran from God's call the first time, had repented and went the second time. But was Jonah happy that the city had repented and turned to God? No! V1 tells us, "But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry". This chapter then is filled with unhappiness. Jonah is unhappy with God and God is unhappy with Jonah. Jonah here is cold, very cold spiritually. His reaction then shows the condition of his heart at the time.
The Scripture speaks much of anger. There is a healthy anger and unhealthy anger. A healthy anger is one that is angered over the prevalence of sin and wickedness in our world today. Christ, seeing what the money-changers had done to the temple, was angry. This is a justifiable anger. But there is also an unhealthy anger. This is an anger without cause. This is what we see in Jonah. This anger then is unjustifiable. The LORD asks Jonah in v4, "Doest thou well to be angry?" God's question to Jonah is a rhetorical one, rhetorical meaning,"A question in which no response is expected of the hearer." The obvious answer is, No. Jonah really had no good reason to be angry. God's question then is a form of gentle reproof.
Let us answer this question, "Doest Thou Well To Be Angry?" by considering four facets of Jonah's displeasure.
(1) THE SURPRISE AT JONAH’S DISPLEASURE
JONAH 4:1—“But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very
angry.”
- THE AMAZEMENT OF DISPLEASURE. As we read v1 we can't help but be surprised that Jonah would become angry at the repentance of Nineveh. None of us today would seemingly be displeased if someone got saved, if someone who had been walking in sin returned to God, or if we broke our attendance record. But Jonah, here, is surprisingly unhappy at the results of his preaching in Nineveh. We take it fore granted that the world and the devil will be unhappy and displeased over revival. But for God-fearing, Bible-believing, Church-going folks to be upset over revival that would be a puzzle! But what is more surprising for us to realize is that this attitude is not as uncommon as we might think. G. Campbell Morgan said, "O brethren, how much of the attitude of Jonah is among us." (John G. Butler. Jonah: The Parochial Prophet. pp. 181-182).
- THE ATTITUDE OF DISPLEASURE. It tells us in v1 that the repentance of Nineveh “…displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.” The attitude of Jonah is aroused very easily at times in those who profess to know and love Christ. We may think and say we want revival and spiritual growth and blessing; but all it takes for displeasure to rear its ugly head is for the preacher to go an extra few minutes on his sermon or for an invitation to last a few more verses than usual or for someone to ask us to give more money for missions, the building program, or some other Church ministry. When this happens we fuss, complain, gripe, and murmur. We are displeased and if the truth is known, we, like Jonah, are also angry. (John G. Butler. Jonah: The Parochial Prophet. p. 182).
ILLUS: A lady once wrote to a denominational magazine of a
fundamental Baptist Church group and complained to the
editor that their Church had revival meetings scheduled
during the time of a basketball tournament. She was
displeased just like Jonah. The editor of the magazine invited
the readers to write their response to the complaint of the lady.
The magazine then published a dozen letters. Of those twelve
only one plainly opposed the complaint. We simply do not
expect this sort of attitude from God's people, but it is there
and much more than we realize. (John G. Butler. Jonah: The
Parochial Prophet. p. 183).
(2) THE SELFISHNESS IN JONAH’S DISPLEASURE
JONAH 4:2-3—“And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee,
O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country?
Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a
gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness,
and repentest thee of the evil. Therefore now, O LORD, take, I
beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to
live.”
- THE PETTINESS. The root cause of Jonah's displeasure is selfishness. Selfishness is sin! Many boldly proclaim their selfishness by saying, "I would rather rule in hell than serve in heaven." Many Church members don't speak the words, but show forth the attitude. If they don't get their way in a business meeting, if the Church is planning a event that they are not a part of, or if they are not recognized for something they do; then they become puffed up, begin to be slack in their attendance, or else give up positions they hold in the Church! This pettiness is a sure sign of spiritual immaturity. Self is on the throne of the heart! Jesus said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." (Matthew 16:24). If we are going to follow Christ, self must be put to death. We can either deny self or deny the Savior. The choice is ours!
- THE PRAYER. This prayer of complaint by Jonah after God giving grace to Nineveh shows his displeasure with God in three ways:
His Selfishness is Shown in The Pronouns He Uses (vv. 2, 3).Jonah prayed “...I…my...I…my...I...I...I…my...me...me" in vv. 2-3. Ten times personal pronouns are used. He was showing his selfishness by speaking so much of himself. Selfish people are egocentric. When they open their mouth to speak or pray it is mostly about me, myself I, and mine. They seem to think that the world revolves around them! (John G. Butler. Jonah: The Parochial Prophet. p. 183). If God does something that is not according to their plans then they are displeased with God. And if you find a person displeased with God, then you have found a selfish person!
His Selfishness is Shown in His Philosophy (v2). In v2, Jonah was not complaining that God was a God of grace, but he was upset over where God had extended his grace! Jonah’s philosophy was that grace should only be shown to Israel. Notice Jonah did not complain about God’s grace when God restored Israel's land according to Jonah’s prophecy (2 Kings 14:25), and he did not complain about the Grace of God when He delivered him from the great fish by it! But Nineveh was a different story. They were Israel's enemy. If Israel sinned let God's grace be more abundant, but if other nations sinned let God's judgment fall on them! (John G. Butler. Jonah: The Parochial Prophet. p. 184). But God’s grace is not exclusive! It is for all men who will repent and turn to God! We should pray for our enemies to be saved just as hard and as long as we pray for our friends. We should pray for the mass murderer to receive Christ just as much as we pray for our lost family members to receive Him!
ILLUS: Examples of this philosophy can be seen all around us.
A rich man takes ill and is at death’s door, but he
miraculously recovers. Everyone is glad, except for those
in his will who are just waiting for him to die. War
comes to an end and people rejoice because the soldier
boys are coming home. But not all rejoice-some make
big money in war through the making of weapons of
warfare. A bumper crops comes in and everybody is
happy right? No, not everyone farmers began to
complain about prices going down because the market is
flooded with grain. They want a good crop for
themselves, but don't want their neighbors to have a
good crop. A fire whistle blows and you follow it for
excitement. But are disappointed because the fire is
small and put out quickly. (John G. Butler. Jonah: The
Parochial Prophet. p. 185).
This philosophy also shows up in Church life in two areas:
1) Inter-Church Rivalries. Many, if the truth is known, would
rather see folk remain lost than have a rival Church win them.
Old time evangelist Sam Jones spoke of this selfishness when he
said, it was hard to say "amen" in the other man's meeting (John
G. Butler. Jonah: The Parochial Prophet. p. 185). As long as a
Church is preaching the true gospel we should rejoice with them
that God is working in their midst! Philippians 1:15-18 says,
“Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some
also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not
sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of
love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. What
then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in
truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will
rejoice.” Paul had an amazingly selfless attitude. He knew some
were preaching to build their own reputations, but he was glad
the gospel was being preached, regardless of the motives of these
preachers. Many Christians serve for the wrong reasons. God
doesn’t excuse their motives, but, like Paul, we should be glad if
God uses their message , regardless of their motives (Living
Letters From the Life Application Bible. p. 137). Paul, in his
ministry counted the salvation of souls more important than his
own esteem or reputation.
2) Intra-Church Rivalries. HOW does an intra-church rivalry manifest itself? Let someone get saved, grow in the LORD, and then take the office of one who has been in the Church for some time and you will see it! Many questions start to arise about the new office-holder's qualifications. This is all done with a sense of concern for the individual and the Church, but in reality it is nothing but the spirit of Jonah rearing its ugly head!
His Selfishness in The Past (v2a). Jonah's philosophy about God's grace was not a new one. It had been a problem for him for sometime. Look at v2, Jonah says, “O LORD, was this not my saying, when I was yet in my country..." This was the reason that Jonah fled to Tarshish-Selfishness! Jonah's selfish sin is seen here again after he had repented and went to Nineveh. Does that mean he truly did not repent? No, old temptations and old sins are like old soldiers they never die. If we do not continually do battle with them they will overcome us (John G. Butler. Jonah: The Parochial Prophet. p. 186).
We must be on guard for the flesh. Just as Jesus told Peter, "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Matthew 26:41).
(3) THE SLANDER RESULTING FROM JONAH’S DISPLEASURE
JONAH 4:2b—“…Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: For I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil"
*Jonah's anger over the repentance of Nineveh showed forth his sin of
selfishness and it also slandered God. He slandered God in two ways:
A. HE BLAMED GOD. To Jonah it was God's fault that he ran from God's
face to Tarshish. God's grace caused Him to disobey! He knew God
was gracious and forgiving and knew that his preaching would
probably bring repentance on the Ninevites part, and this was
displeasing to Jonah so he fled. If we are displeased with God our mind
will not function rightly in moral areas. Aperson may still talk and
think of God, but not like the way He is doing things. We must
remember "He hath done all things well..." (Mark 7:37). It may not be
the way we would have done it or the way we believe it ought to be done
but His ways and thoughts are much higher than ours! The Lord says
in Isaiah 55:8-9—“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are
your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher
than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts
than your thoughts.”
B. HE BELITTED GOD. When we blame God we also belittle God! In
slandering God Jonah belittled a good point of God’s character to make
it seem a fault instead of a good point. When Jonah said God was
“gracious…merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness…repentest
thee of the evil," it was not a compliment, but a belittling of God for
showing Grace to Nineveh (John G. Butler. Jonah: The Parochial
Prophet. p. 187).
ILLUS: Some Church members are like this in criticizing their pastor.
If they cannot find an obvious fault in him, they will take a
good point in his ministry and so twist it around as to make it
look like a fault. If his sermons excel because he studies
diligently, then they will decide he is spending too much time
studying and not enough time visiting. If he works with the
young people and has an excellent youth program, then he is
criticized for not spending enough time with the other age
groups. If he has a good family, they will say he spends too
much time with his family and not enough time with other
Church families. Thus this criticism of his good points makes
them seem as faults.
Then these critics, like Jonah, use these supposed faults to
justify skipping Church services, stopping their giving, or
quitting a church job or office. God have pity on such
individuals for they are a very needy folk spiritually. They will
not take responsibility for their own sins, but must blame them
on someone else, even God! (John G. Butler. Jonah: The
Parochial Prophet. p. 188).
(4) THE SUPPLICATION OF JONAH’S DISPLEASURE
JONAH 4:3—“Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life
from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.”
*The book of Jonah contains much prayer. In Chapter 1, the seamen
pray when the storm threatens their ship (v5), the captain calls for Jonah to pray because of the storm(v6), and the seamen pray about throwing Jonah overboard (v14). Chapter 2, with the exception of the last verse is all about prayer-it is Jonah's prayer in the fish. In Chapter 3, the King and his nobles tell the people to "cry mightily unto God” (v8). And in Chapter 4, we see a displeased and angry Jonah praying a prayer of complaint to God in vv. 2-3 (John G. Butler. Jonah: The Parochial Prophet. p. 189). This is the worst prayer in the book. This supplication is sin. Note:
A. IT WAS AN UNPRINCIPLED REQUEST. His request to die was of bad
principles, not good ones. It is:
The Prayer of A Scorner. His request is an insult to God. It discredits God's wisdom and grace. Jonah is saying that God's action to Nineveh was so distasteful unto him that Jonah wants to die. It is like saying, "Over my dead body you will spare Nineveh." (John G. Butler. Jonah: The Parochial Prophet p. 189). Our prayers are to honor God, not dishonor Him! We must not pray the prayer of the scorner by praying prayers that are not in the will of God that dishonor Him!
The Prayer of A Quitter. Jonah no longer wants to be a part of God's team. He wants to pack it in, give up, he’s through. He lets God know He can't use him any more because Jonah won't be around. We may not request that God take our life. But many times, because of the situation we are in, decide to give up and quit. We don't try to do our best. God hates such an attitude!
The Prayer of A Negotiator. Did Jonah really want to die, or was he trying to get God to make some changes? Many Church members use resignations this way. They march into the pastor's study with resignation in hand threatening to resign if they don't get their way or things do not change. This is usually done by people who believe themselves to be indispensable to the Church. Jonah must have thought himself very important! We must remember none of us are indispensable! God can easily raise up someone to take our place! Philippians 2:3 tells us, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” Serving God, loving Him and loving and serving others that is what is important! God is to be the really important one in our lives!
B. IT WAS AN UNANSWERED REQUEST. For Jonah's sake it was a good
thing God didn't answer his request. Many times we cry, "God didn't
answer my prayer" considering the character of many of our prayers? it
is a good thing He didn't! Many of our requests are made in a wrong
spirit when we are displeased with God! It God answered them, oh what
heartache we might find ourselves!
God will only answer such prayers as that will honor His holy name!