WHAT LIGHTS YOUR FIRE?

          What gets you fired up?  Jonah became greatly displeased at the sight of Nineveh’s widespread repentance (Jonah 4:1).  He left the city in a huff and sat down hoping against hope that this “revival” would not deter God from overthrowing the city (Jonah 4:5). God appointed a plant to grow quickly and shade Jonah from his discomfort, which made Jonah extremely happy (Jonah 4:6).  Some-thing is warped about this picture - - he is greatly displeased that Nineveh has repented but he’s extremely happy with his precious little vine.  That which makes us angry and that which makes us happy often reveals more about us than we would like to admit.

          God easily detected Jonah’s petulance and He subsequently took him to school to further reveal his depravity.  God appointed a worm to destroy the vine and a scorching east wind to buffet Jonah into submission (Jonah 4:7-9).  Yet, with all the peevishness of a child, Jonah asserts a second time, “Death is better for me than life” (Jonah 4:8 & 3).  Jonah’s values are upside down.  The loss of a little vine meant more to him than the thought of a city and nation becoming rooted and intertwined into the VINE OF LIFE (Jn.15:1).

          Will Jonah come to his senses?  Jonah’s posture seems to foreshadow the last days of the nation of Israel.  The apostle Paul quotes the prophet Isaiah in Rom.10:21 saying, But as for Israel He says, ‘All day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people’.  Perhaps this very revelation (the book of Jonah) is a positive indication that Jonah saw the light.  As for Israel in her latter days, God gave an assurance to those who would awaken: “God is able to graft them in again” (Rom.11:23).  Compile a list of the good things you’ve learned from Jonah.  Has this grand little book helped to create within you A NEW HEART (Jer.31:33)?    

                                                  Terry Siverd / Cortland Church of Christ