Contemplative Bible Reading

Jonah 3:10-4:1 (New Living Translation)

10 When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened. 4:1 This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry.

This is one of those odd chapter breaks in the way man has divided the scriptures for ease of reference. It is one thought on two pages.

God saw how the people of Nineveh repented and put a stop to their evil ways. God repented, i.e., changed His mind, of the intent to destroy the city. Life instead of death. Joy instead of mourning. Who wouldn’t be happy about this? Jonah wouldn’t.

Jonah “threw a fit.” Jonah was so mad that he wanted to die, well, maybe not literally die, but…

Sometimes I wonder about God. Sometimes I wonder, “What is wrong with God?” Look at the human suffering on a personal level. Surely God will heal this one person here. That would make life so much easier for that person and the dozens of people around the ill person. Surely God will.. and God doesn’t. Why not? I wonder.

Jonah didn’t like the people of Nineveh. God loved the people of Nineveh. Perhaps “like” and “love” are the key words. I would like some things to happen. God loves some things to happen. And God has a much better view of the entire situation.

Jonah sat on that hill outside of the city and baked in the hot sun. He was greatly upset that God had changed plans for Nineveh. Those folks wouldn’t “get what they had coming.” And Jonah wouldn’t get what he had coming either. He had disobeyed God and run off to the far ends of the earth. God forgave Jonah. God forgave Nineveh.

Some change of plans seem right to me, some don’t.