Gleanings of Grace

It was Saturday morning and I woke up with a grumbling heart. I caught myself complaining to God, wondering why He seemed deaf to my prayers for years. My plan was to continue my study through Philippians before heading to church for fellowship. But as I opened my 1-Year Bible Plan, the entire book of Jonah was listed for the day.

I’ve read the book of Jonah many times. I’ve gleaned his story from Sunday preachings and book study fellowships.  And so, I thought I would only be re-reading something I’ve already known for years.  But as I flipped the pages of Jonah, I never thought my heart would be revealed. 

I’m no better than Jonah.

As you read my gleanings, may I invite you to read through the entire book of Jonah. For this study, I sought the guidance of MacArthur Study Bible for the outline.

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Resisting God’s Will

Yahweh called Jonah saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, the great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before Me” (1:2). Yet Jonah did otherwise–he rode a ship, paid its fare and fled to Tarshish. More than rejecting Yahweh’s call, Jonah was resisting Yahweh Himself.

This struck me deeply. 

It’s one thing to disobey God. And it’s another thing to resist His presence. Amid all my silent complaints, a question presses into my heart – “Would I stay in God’s presence even if my prayers remain unanswered? Or would I take matters into my own hands?” 

Then God brought a great wind and a great storm on the sea, threatening their ship to break apart (1:4). While the sailors feared and the men cried out to their gods, Jonah was at the bottom pit of the vessel–deeply asleep (1:5). The captain woke him up (1:6), then they cast lots to discern who among the passengers caused the storm and the wind–the lot fell on Jonah (1:7). He was left with no choice but to disclose his identity and the purpose of his journey (1:8-9). And so, the men feared greatly especially knowing how Jonah was fleeing from the presence of Yahweh (1:10-11). So, Jonah volunteered himself to be thrown to the sea, and they did so (1:12, 15).

“But Yahweh (or God)…” (1:4)

These two words often denote God’s powerful intervention. 

“But God – even when we were dead… made us alive…” (Ephesians 2:4-5)

“But God demonstrates His own love… while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)

Disobedience always results in unfavorable consequences, not only affecting us but others as well. Jonah’s disobedience was judged mightily by God through the great wind and storm causing disaster to others. No matter how much they lightened up the ship by throwing some cargo off to sea (1:5) or rowed desperately to dry land (1:13), God’s judgement was sure that no human capability could withstand it. 

“And Yahweh appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights.” (1:17)

Inside the belly of the fish, Jonah was stuck praying to Yahweh. His prayer causes me to examine my own heart. “Am I grieved over sin because it dishonors God? Or merely because I dislike its consequences?”

Nevertheless, “..Yahweh spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah up onto the dry land” (2:10)

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Submitting To God’s Will

Once again, Yahweh’s Word came to Jonah saying “Arise, go to Nineveh, the great city, and call out to it this very call which I am going to speak to you” (3:2). The Word of Yahweh stayed the same. What differed this time is that Jonah obeyed (3:3).

Nineveh was a great city that entailed a three days’ walk (3:3). But Jonah walked for a day and called them out saying, “Yet forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown” (3:4). Upon hearing this, the Ninevites believed in God, called a fast and put on sackcloth (3:5). The effect of Jonah’s message was so massive that even their own king called for a city wide repentance (3:6-9).

“Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way, so God relented concerning the evil which He had spoken He would bring upon them. And He did not bring it upon them.” (3:10)

Despite Jonah’s minimal efforts, God used his preaching to bring an entire city to repentance because He had already prepared the hearts of the Ninevites. Jonah may be one of the most reluctant missionaries in Scripture. Yet God was able to save an entire city–not because of Jonah’s obedience and capabilities but because of God’s sovereign mercy.

This is both sobering and assuring to me as a Gospel worker. I can never rely on my wit and persuasion for people to believe in Christ. But while this may be so, His promise is sure – that as I obey His Great Commission, He will be with me until the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). I bring this truth with me as I open a new chapter in my ministry life. 

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Questioning God’s Will

“But this was a great evil to Jonah, and he became angry.” (4:1)

Jonah’s deepest problem was not his disobedience, but his deep resentment towards God extending the same compassion and mercy to the Ninevites (4:2). This caused him to run away from Yahweh because he knew God was merciful. He loathed any possibility of them receiving God’s mercy. 

Jonah’s anger exposed what was truly in his heart. He did not merely resist God’s command—he resisted God’s compassion.

Now another question confronts me:

“Will I love those He loves?” 

“If I can’t love those He loves, am I genuinely obeying God?”

At the height of his emotions, he cried, “So now, O Yahweh, please take my life from me, for death is better to me than life” (4:3).

The same way that God appointed the fish that swallowed him and brought him to dry land, God then appointed a plant to give Jonah shade (4:6), a worm to strike the plant (4:7), the scorching east wind (4:8) and the sun causing him to be faint (4:8). Amid all his frustration and qualms, Yahweh asked,

“Do you have good reason to be angry?”

Looking at how God appointed the storm, the fish, the plant, the worm, and even the scorching east wind, I am reminded that even the delays, disappointments, and unanswered prayers in my own life are not outside His sovereign hand. I can’t help but resonate with Jonah’s candid sentiments as I cry to God in silence:

“I don’t like Your providence in my life now, Father. I don’t agree with how You’re leading me. I’d rather quit.”

How foolish of me to think I’d know better than God Himself! And amid all my complaints, I hear the same question asked:

“M, do you have good reason to be angry?”

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Again, I’ve read the book of Jonah so many times. But this year, it’s different. 

Resisting God’s will..

Submitting to God’s will..

And then questioning His will..

This can come full circle silently and subtly.

Jonah wanted God to exercise sovereignty according to His preferences. I often find the same tendency in my own heart. While I do not reject God’s rule, I simply wish His providence looked different; His timing aligned with mine; and His answers matched my expectations.

The book ends with a question. And perhaps this question is meant for me to answer.

“Do I have good reason to be angry?”

“Do I trust God’s wisdom when His providence disappoints me?”

“Will I rejoice when God extends mercy where I think judgment is deserved?”

“Or will I sit outside His purposes, angry that He is more gracious than I am?”

Throughout the book, God has been patient not only with Nineveh, but with Jonah himself. Even Jonah’s anger became an opportunity for God to instruct and shepherd him. And even when Jonah continued resisting Him, God continued reasoning with him.

Truly, God is far more patient, compassionate, and merciful than I often realize. He pursued rebellious sailors, a rebellious city, and a rebellious prophet. 

And He continues to pursue stubborn people like me.