Anger Issues and the Misfit Prophet

Jonah was angry at the Ninevites because they threatened the sovereign nation of Israel. Jonah was angry because God had called him to take a message of repentance to his enemy. Jonah was angry because he knew that God would forgive them if they relented. Jonah was angry because God wouldn’t let him die as an option. And when he was in the mountains, waiting to see what God would do to Nineveh, he got angry at a plant that died and didn’t give him shade. Jonah was just one angry dude.

Why was God so patient with Jonah? It’s not about Jonah, but with the message God wanted Israel to understand through Jonah’s story. Israel had gotten to a point where they believed that, as chosen people of God, they could do anything they wanted and still receive God’s blessing. Jonah’s anger served to remind Israel that they had no right to God’s Grace, it was His to dispense to anyone who repented, even their most hated enemy. Jonah, and Israel, didn’t have a right to be angry. 

Jesus reminded the Pharisees, “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.” Matthew 3:8. Even in Jesus’ day the religious establishment held a superiority complex in regard to their relationship with God. Jesus was constantly reminding his listeners that God’s Grace is for everyone who repents and believe, but the religious leaders of Israel wouldn’t accept it, and throwing a tantrum they killed Jesus. In doing so the gospel went to the gentiles, and those of Faith were grafted into the vine of faith. Now we, as gentiles, are the chosen Israel. But wait, what did Paul say?

“That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.” Romans 11:20-22.

“The heart of man is evil above all else.” God lavishes his love on us, and for some reason we begin to think that we have sole rights to His gift, and we become angry when those less deserving than us are offered the same grace. It shows itself in many ways.

1. A fellow Christian falls into sin, repents, and you are offended and hold on to unforgiveness when God’s grace is extended. It’s easier to “run” than to truly be reconciled.
2. A known husband who doesn’t live up to husbandly or fatherly responsibities, and when he does turn around, ever so slightly, we tend to hold our grace cautiously, when God’s Grace holds no such conditions.
3. Your disappointed by someone in authority, and when they are repentant you offer “grace,” but reconciliation and trust are cast aside because your own pride is greater than God’s grace.
4. A person of ill repute comes to the church and is politely greeted, but no one offers hospitality. It is embarrassing to invite her home for lunch, or to become a part of your friendship circle. We like the idea of grace and forgiveness but it is inconvenient.

At least Jonah was honest about his anger. It allowed God to work with him; in him.  Anger is an emotion that tells us something deeper is wrong. Unless we are honest about it, repent of its sin, and give our rights over to Jesus, we will remained mired in uselessness to God’s Kingdom. I’m just saying...