Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 9, 2022

A Case of Forgotten Grace

Jonah 3:10-4:4

Jonah’s restoration was still not complete. Rather than rejoicing in the repentance of Nineveh and the LORD’S sparing of the city, he expresses resentment and becomes the “pouting prophet.” He still had much to learn about grace: the unmerited and unearned favor of God. How are you responding to it?

1. Overview

• preceded by 3:1-9: Jonah preaches in Nineveh and the people repent
• followed by 4:5-11: ordained plant, worm, wind; pity on the city; lack of resolution

2. Jonah’s displeasure with the demonstration of grace

• He should have been thrilled!
• Like Cain, Jonah burned with anger.
• Why? Because the Lord showed grace to Nineveh

3. Jonah’s disgust with the distribution of grace

• “Was this not my word…?”
• an attempt at self-justification
• a self-appointed theological advisor
• summary of attributes: gracious, compassionate, merciful

4. Jonah’s denial of the extension of grace

• an incomplete echo (I Kings 19:4)
• desire for divine euthanasia: Jonah would rather expire than extend
• The LORD: still gracious to Jonah

5. So What?

• Because every blessing you taste flows from grace, determine to treasure it in every circumstance.
• “And Jonah stalked to his shaded seat and waited for God to come around to his way of thinking. And God is still waiting for a host of Jonahs in their comfortable houses to come around to His way of loving.” (T. Carlisle)
• “May the grace of God be precious to you, the basis for your praise of God, not your protest, as it was with Jonah.” (B. Deffinbaugh)
• delight, praise and participate!