No Compassion • Jonah 4:1-11
By Don Hicks
This lesson completes our study of Jonah, the Old Testament’s strongest challenge to worldwide, international missions. As you prepare to teach this summary of missions support, reread this short book from beginning to end in one setting to get a clearer understanding of the full meaning of this prophecy.
Chapter three begins with Jonah’s second chance to obey God and preach in Nineveh: “Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: ‘Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you’” (Jonah 3:1-2 NIV). God was very specific: “proclaim to it the message I give you.”
Though Jonah was still unhappy with the mission God gave him, he did it. Jonah’s sermon from God was very successful even though Jonah didn’t like giving it. We should certainly take note if we are to be successful in God’s eyes, we must teach and preach only the message God gives us.
Probably, God will not give us a message to teach or preach in exactly the way He gave it to Jonah. We can study the Bible prayerfully under the leadership of His Holy Spirit and know that our message is from God.
Read 2 Timothy 3:14-17, giving special attention to verse 16: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (KJV).
Let’s not miss the drama in Jonah’s life: “Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you” (Jonah 3:1-2 NIV).
The Message paraphrase says it this way in Jonah 3:1-3: “Next, God spoke to Jonah a second time: ‘Up on your feet and on your way to the big city of Nineveh! Preach to them. They’re in a bad way and I can’t ignore it any longer.’ This time Jonah started off straight for Nineveh, obeying GOD’s orders to the letter.”
To understand what a strong statement this is, we need to remember that chapter two ended: “But I’m worshiping you, GOD, calling out in thanksgiving! And I’ll do what I promised I’d do! Salvation belongs to GOD!” (Jonah 2:8-9 MSG).
It is fairly easy to understand why Jonah headed straight to Nineveh when we remember the huge fish God appointed had just spit him up after three days and nights in the fish’s belly.
This is a clear example of the principle in Romans 8:28. This verse says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good, of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (NIV). I can’t begin to imagine that any rational person would claim:
— That being caught in a terrible storm at sea was good.
— That being thrown overboard into the raging sea was good.
— That going to the bottom of the sea with seaweed wrapped around your head was good.
— That feeling like you are so far underwater that you are at the base of all the world’s mountains or deep in Sheol (the place of the dead).
Romans 8:28 does not say all things were good but rather that “God works for the good, of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” The pagan sailors saw God at work during the storm. Before they threw Jonah into the sea, they asked the LORD, who they had not known before, to forgive them.
Then, “at this the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to him” (Jonah 1:10 NIV).
We need to note one last time that Jonah preached the God-given message very reluctantly. He was very angry at God for forgiving and saving Nineveh when he preached there: “He prayed to the LORD, ‘O LORD, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love” (Jonah 4:2 CSB).
God does not overlook the needs of any tribe, people, or nation. He calls missionaries (and Old Testament prophets) to share His love and care.
Here is the way God explained to the prophet Jonah that He will not ignore the needs of any people: “Next, God spoke to Jonah a second time: ‘Up on your feet and on your way to the big city of Nineveh! Preach to them. They’re in a bad way and I can’t ignore it any longer’” (Jonah 3:1-2 MSG).
Hicks is missions director for Jasper Association in Bay Springs. He may be contacted at donaldwhicks@gmail.com.
