Jonah 4 Heartwork - Let the Son Shine

Jonah 4 Heartwork 02/08/2010

I have loved this time in Jonah with you, SonShines!
Who knew there was so much to learn in such a small book? When we first began, I had that storybook idea of the man inside the whale and I expected that view to be shattered with the reality of it all. I mean, Beth Moore had absolutely crushed my fuzzy wuzzy sweet lions in the den to bits and I just knew the truth would do the same for Jonah.

I don't know that anything got shattered, but girls, my view of Jonah has forever changed! That goes for the book as well as the man. I'll have to expound during Wednesday's link up conversation...there's just too much to think about!

First, I'd love to hear your thoughts on Jonah's anger over Nineveh's quiet reprise.
No fireworks. No famine. They repented as instructed and God turned His wrath from them. Jonah sat there staring at that city wishing someone would die--him or them--almost an ultimatum, but more a festering.

Ooh, what about the bush (or vine), the worm, and that sultry east wind? I don't know what translation you read from, but the New Revised Standard Version jumped right out at me.

"The Lord God appointed a bush, and made it come up over Jonah, to give shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort; so Jonah was very happy about the bush." (4:6)

The words appointed and prepared are both perfectly interchangeable here, both being aspects of the Hebrew word manah. Looking at each word as part of the whole point, we see that not only did God create the comfort provided Jonah, He also appointed it for just such a purpose.

In verse 7, God appoints a worm that attacks the bush. A tiny, dirt dwelling, blessing withering worm was created with a purpose in the Lord. Oh sisters, so are we! Tiny little, dirt dwelling, us...meant for some great exploits with our Father! Even when those exploits don't end as we envision.

God appoints blessings of comfort. God appoints blessings of withering. God appoints blessings of scorching heat to shine on our heads and separate the sin from the saint! They may not all feel good at the time, but they are all blessings--good and perfect gifts from above!

Praise the God of second...and third...and fourth chances! I love you and treasure this time with friends in love with the Lord. I'll stop my rambling and chat with you in the comments!

Free share today! Share what's on your heart, no specific questions asked.

Come back tomorrow for some thoughts and questions to ponder as we prepare to share our hearts link up style on Wednesday!

Comments

Deborah

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:51:20 pm

I think what really jumped out at me was the fact that he was doing God's will, but still...he didn't want God's will done. He was a very reluctant messanger. Did he forget so quickly the seaweed pulling him down into the depths of the sea and the fish? Why didn't he want these people to receive the love of God?

But then....who have I judged and found not worthy enough God's mercy. Oh, I'll share with them the Gospel, minister to them in various ways...but in the back of my mind there is that doubt....they're not really going to change their ways, they are just on an emotional high. So I'm not surprised when they stop coming and I see them back to their old ways. Maybe the fault was mine, like Jonah, was I waiting for God to "get them"...was I waiting for them the mess up?

I like the fact that the book does't end with Jonah having this huge change of heart. It tells me that no matter my heart....God is going to do His will and He is going to love even if I don't. Of course that is also convicting for me because I want to love like Him.

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