Bullets from the Bible 2-14-18
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Jonah is known as the one who got swallowed by a whale. while the Bible actually calls it a fish, there is usually little else known about Jonah. Jonah was a prophet of God that was sent to Nineveh to warn them that they were going to be destroyed. Jonah did not want to go because he hated the people of Nineveh and he wanted them to be destroyed. After some convincing from God (three days in the fish), Jonah went and preached. His message was one of the most simple messages that any prophet has ever delivered. "yet 40 days and Nineveh will be destroyed". That is the entirety of the message. I can only imagine Jonah's reluctance and lack of ambition as he preaches to them...however the people of Nineveh get the message and repent. God spares Nineveh and Jonah becomes angry that they were spared.
Notice what it says in Jonah 4:1-3, "But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. [2] So he prayed to the LORD, and said, “Ah, LORD, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm. [3] “Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!"
Jonah was one of the only prophets in the Bible that was successful in changing people...and he was angry that they changed. Sometimes we don't believe people will change. Sometimes we have developed feelings of hate and disgust towards people to the point that we won't let them change. Sometimes while teaching the truth we would rather people refuse the truth and fail than to change. We must realize that all people can change and do right if they just will. When they do change, we should be excited that they have changed and happy that they have been spared. Jonah was rebuked by God for his attitude toward Nineveh. When we speak truth and people change...we must be happy that truth has worked on their heart.
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"Prayer is the ammunition of change."
