The Feeling of Fear
I must admit, I allow the news to sometimes control my feelings. When I do, I feel a sense of anger or fear. Anger when I watch the ignorant thinking of socialism expounded in our congress. Fear when I think of the incredible damage that will come about from such thinking. Do these people (our political leaders) not understand the history and reality of Venezuela and Cuba? I also experience anger when I see how our leaders fail to understand the nature of Islam. Again, failure to understand history can be dangerous in the present. I often transition from anger to fear as I realize the zealous agenda of world domination and murderous intentions and actions to accomplish such a global state or caliphate based on a clear reading of the Koran.
Anger and Fear - I think both of these emotions were experienced by Jonah as the Lord called him to go to Nineveh and proclaim the Lord's message. The Ninevites of Assyria were a fierce global force that had perfected the skill of excruciating execution on all who refused to be dominated. This explains why Jonah in tremendous fear ran as fast as he could to get away. But the Lord plucked him from the sea through a great fish He appointed and parked him on the shoreline of the Ninevites. It was as we say, "barf on the beach." Jonah was still reluctant to preach and even more angry because he thought that these wicked people might just repent and then the Lord would relent of His destruction of this wicked people. After all, Jonah knew that the Lord was compassionate, gracious and abundant in lovingkindness. (Jonah 4:2)
The final section of the story is simple but profound. As you recall, Jonah is mad that the people repented, and God relented of his judgment. As Jonah goes off to sulk in the sun, the Lord appointed a tree for shade. Then the Lord appointed a worm to destroy the shade tree. Then the Lord appointed a fierce wind to blow and beat upon Jonah (4:6-8). Do not forget that the Lord appointed the great fish as well! (1:17) Jonah has moved on from fear to anger because of the Lord's grace to an undeserving people.
The Lord gently reprimands Jonah by reminding him that the Lord expressed grace to Jonah through the gift of a plant to offer him shade. How is it wrong for the Lord to offer to the people of Nineveh forgiveness of their sin? After all, "...there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand as well as many animals." (4:11) Dumb and dangerous people need the grace of the Lord.
Jesus hung upon the cross, having been beaten, humiliated, hated by all, in agony as the spikes in his hands and feet brought excruciating pain to his broken body. As Jesus looked down upon the Jewish religious leaders, the Roman centurion and guards, not to mention a few of his disciples and family members, He declared the most improbable words - "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing."
We were dumb and dangerous. But God the Father and Jesus the Son in His grace and lovingkindness did not allow fear or anger to get in the way of His Love for them, for you and for me.
Serving Him with you
Until He comes for us,
Fred