Jonah: Ugliest Hearts vs. Good Grace
Have you ever been angry with God? Not just disappointed or confused, but genuinely furious that things didn't go according to your plan? The final chapter of Jonah reveals one of the most uncomfortable truths about human nature: we often want God to be God when it benefits us, but we struggle when His character extends beyond our preferences. Jonah chapter 4 opens with what might be the understatement of the Bible: "Jonah was greatly displeased and became furious." But why? The entire city of Nineveh had just repented and turned to God - shouldn't this be cause for celebration? Jonah's anger stemmed from two sources. First, he was upset that Nineveh actually listened to God's message and repented. But more penetrating is the second reason: Jonah was angry that God is who God is. He was mad at God for being God. The irony is striking. Jonah had deserved destruction for his own disobedience, yet he saw nothing right in God extending that same grace to oth...