Compassion and Mercy

O. T. #2173 "Compassion and Mercy"

April 19, 2022

Jonah 4-Part 5

LET IT GLOW

As a review, Jonah left Nineveh, built himself a shelter and sat down under it, waiting to see what happened to the city. god caused a plant to grow in order to shade him. This eased Jonah's discomfort, and he was very grateful for the plant. Then God sent worm to eat eh plant and it withered away. The sun grew hot, so God sent a scorching east wind to blow on Jonah.

He felt faint and wished to die, remarking that death would be better than living like that. God asked Jonah if it was right for him to be angry because the plant died. He agreed.

Verse 10, NLT says, Then the LORD said, You feel sorry about the plant, though you did noting to put it there. It came quickly and died quickly. but Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Should I feel sorry for such a great city?

God was merciful to the pagan people showing them mercy and not destroying their city. Also, He was merciful to the sailors and Jonah. He was more concerned with loosing a plant than watching thousands of people dying and going to hell. If we come to God, asking for mercy and salvation, He will give it.  If we are obedient, then He shows us mercy we don't deserve.

Have you received God's mercy? Do we have a heart for others?

LET IT GROW

In Matthew 12, the scribes and Pharisees were demanding  a sign from Jesus. (verses 38-39)

They were given a sign: For as Jonah was in the belly of a huge fish three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. (verse 40)

If a rebel prophet cold turn Nineveh around, Jesus Christ can certainly turn around the circumstances in our lives. This, as Paul calls it, is the surpassing grace of God. (2 Cor. 9:14) Tony Evans

We don't know what Jonah did next. Did he repent and go down to Nineveh and rejoice with the heathens over the grace and mercy of God? Well, he did write the book that we just finished studying. I tend to think Jonah had a change of heart one more time.

LET IT GO

Such mercy You show us sinners, Jesus!

Use us in Your Kingdom work today.