Jonah - the reluctant witness to the Gentiles (3)

The best part of the book of Jonah is found in Chapter 4 which is entirely about the relationship between God and Jonah. 

The prophet was not afraid to share his honest feelings and dismay in God's compassion towards a people that he hated.  Jonah argued and pouted and told God he would rather die than see the Ninevites get saved.  His audacity is shocking.  Then again, it also shows how intimate and trusting the relationship must have been between them.  What freedom Jonah had with God!

On the other hand, the story also reveals the patience God has for his beloved.  Was there no other prophet He could call on?  Why did God insist on using the stubborn prophet?  In order to engage Jonah, God employed the raging sea, a huge fish, then later on He grew a vine and a worm to eat it up.  All that trouble to bring Jonah closer to God's heart.  God wanted him to know and perhaps share the compassion He has for the lost.

The book does not end with Jonah's change of heart.  The story is here to change our hearts in at least two ways.  First, to know that God's love toward us is patient and enduring.  He is big enough to contain all our negative emotions, so we have freedom to be honest with Him.  Second, to know God's heart toward others: it is important to Him that we share his grace for the lost.  He will go to great trouble to transform our hearts toward that end.