Overview:
While the marvelous repentance of the Ninevites unfolded before the eyes of the prophet Jonah, how did Jonah respond? With complaining and grumbling!The rebellious prophet still held a tinge, probably more, of racism leaving him crestfallen over the Ninevites’ positive response to God’s message.While it’s natural to live resentful and selfish because we’re sinful, fallen beings, Chuck Swindoll teaches us a better way so we can avoid the way of Jonah and, instead, walk in the way of Jesus.
Message Summary:
In “The Grumblings of an Angry Prophet,” Chuck Swindoll examines the shocking aftermath of the Ninevite revival. While the city celebrates its rescue, the messenger is in a state of spiritual meltdown. Swindoll explores the irony of Jonah’s “orthodox” prayer—a prayer that correctly identifies God’s attributes of grace and compassion but uses them as a basis for a complaint. This message serves as a mirror for modern believers, asking if we ever find ourselves “angry” at God’s mercy when it is extended to those we deem unworthy. It is a profound study of how prejudice can turn a successful ministry into a source of personal bitterness.
Message Key Facts:
- The Paradox of Success: Jonah is likely the only prophet in history to be angry because his preaching was too effective.
- The Creed of a Complainer: Jonah quotes the “Exodus 34:6” creed (God is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger) not in worship, but as an accusation against God’s character.
- Death over Mercy: Jonah’s request to die (v. 3) reveals that his nationalistic pride was stronger than his desire for God’s global glory.
- The Diagnostic Question: God’s response to Jonah is a single, piercing question: “Do you have a good reason to be angry?” It is a call for self-examination that remains unanswered in the text.
Message References:
- The Displeasure of the Successful Prophet
- Why Nineveh’s salvation felt like a personal defeat to Jonah. The Hebrew text describes Jonah’s anger as “burning.”
- Scripture: Jonah 4:1 (But it greatly displeased Jonah and he became angry).
- Quoting God Against God
- A look at Jonah’s prayer. He admits he fled to Tarshish precisely because he knew God would be merciful.
- Scripture: Jonah 4:2 (“I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God…”); Exodus 34:6-7.
- The Suicidal Request of a Bitter Heart
- When our will clashes with God’s, we often prefer our own end to God’s plan.
- Scripture: Jonah 4:3 (“Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me”).
- The Sovereign Interrogation
- God does not strike Jonah down; He asks a question to expose Jonah’s illogical rage.
- Scripture: Jonah 4:4 (The Lord said, “Do you have a good reason to be angry?”).
