Ever had a big deadline for something that was then postponed, or cancelled altogether? What were the circumstances? How did you feel when you learned your time, trouble, or worry had been for nothing -- relieved, or ticked off?
Grow
Jonah runs
We don't know what kind of relationship Jonah had with God, other than that when God came to ask him a favor, Jonah tried to run away instead. I sympathize with Jonah. If God were just some "friend" of Jonah's, we'd probably tell him the relationship was dysfunctional. Who in their right mind wants to be friends with someone who asks for impossible favors, and then constantly changes his mind about what he says he is going to do?
Read:
- Jonah 1 [1], all; and Jonah 3:1-10 [2]
Consider:
- Why didn't Jonah want to go to Nineveh?
- What was most striking to you about this story? Can you put yourself in the place of Jonah? Of the fishermen? Of the people of Nineveh?
God relents
Jonah gets so angry at God for changing his mind and sparing Nineveh that he leaves town to sit on the road and sulk.
Read:
- Jonah 4:1-11 [3]
- sermon [3]
Consider:
- Why do you think Jonah gets so angry at God for sparing Nineveh?
- Why does he get so angry about the bush that God provides, and then kills?
- What does God's response mean?
- How does God's response change how we think about God? About our neighbors? About ourselves?
Close
Lord, use us even when -- especially when -- we are inept, ungrateful, short-sighted, and unkind. Help us to see ourselves and each other with your eyes.
Amen.