You likely know the story of Jonah:
- He tries to run from God
- Spends a 3-day “time out” in a fish
- Is given a second chance
- Then does what God commands, albeit with a bad attitude
He proclaims, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned.”
Eight concise and direct words. He doesn’t use persuasive language, doesn’t implore the people to act, and doesn’t show any compassion or concern. He is blunt and to the point. Technically, he does what God tells him to do, but his heart isn’t in it.
Amazingly, the people get his message, are convicted, and repent. So God lovingly relents and calls the whole thing off — and Jonah gets pissed.
Jonah even picks a good seat to watch the destruction take place — and then pouts when God gives Nineveh a reprieve.
Essentially, Jonah reluctantly preaches a bad sermon and then gets mad because it’s successful.
Despite all that, God is able to use him anyway. How encouraging!
A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.