Are We Focusing on the Fleeting?

“When down in the mouth, think of Jonah. He came out alright.”

Have you ever heard that? Maybe you’ve seen it on a plaque or bumper sticker. I used to have it on the wall of my office for awhile, and it was a clever way of offering words of encouragement.

However, this week I have been reading and meditating on the book of Jonah, and I have to ask myself: “Did Jonah really come out alright?” Yes, God did rescue him from the sea via a large fish, and he did eventually obey God and go to Ninevah, but what about his heart? What kind of attitude did he have even as he was obeying God’s word?

We all know the story of how God told Jonah to go to Ninevah to warn the people of His coming judgment upon them. What you may not know is that Ninevah was a major city of the Assyrians, who were pagan enemies of Israel and known to be a wicked and vicious people. Jonah knew that if the people of Ninevah were to repent of their wickedness, God would extend His mercy to them and spare them (Jonah 4:1-2). And this is what he did not want to happen. I’m sure he would have rather seen God bring vengeance and judgment upon his enemies, so, instead of obeying God, he tried to run from Him.

So, God sent a violent storm, and the sailors, after finding out that Jonah was the cause of their trouble, were forced to throw him overboard. God then sent a large fish which swallowed Jonah, and he remained in its belly for three days. During this time, he had plenty of time to think about his actions and he repented. God then caused the fish to vomit Jonah up on the shore, and He gave him another chance to obey Him and go to Ninevah. Jonah obeyed, preached God’s message and the entire city repented and was saved.

I’m sure that most of us are familiar with this part of the story. However, as I was reading the book this week, what really spoke to me was what happened afterwards. In the last chapter, Jonah was upset because of the fact that Ninevah repented and God showed mercy to them. He even felt that he would rather die now that his enemies were still alive (Jonah 4:3). He then goes outside the city and sits down as if he were waiting to see if maybe God would change His mind and send judgment upon them anyway. While he is sitting in the hot sun, and probably feeling sorry for himself and complaining, God causes a vine to grow up overnight to bring shelter to Jonah. Jonah is very happy for a moment. Then, God sends a worm to chew on the vine causing it to wither. Overnight the vine dies, and the next day Jonah is once again sitting in the hot sun complaining.

God then asks Jonah a question. He asks, “Do you have a right to be angry about the vine?” Jonah’s response is that he was very upset about the vine. Now notice God’s answer to Jonah in verses 10-11.

But the LORD said, “You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?” (NIV)

In other words, God was pointing out to Jonah that he was more concerned with temporal, fleeting things that bring him comfort and pleasure than he was with the eternal destiny of the people of Ninevah. He was more interested in his own security (his enemies being destroyed) than in seeing people entering the Kingdom of God. The thing that was most important to him had no eternal value. He was focusing on the fleeting.

Also, even though Jonah was obedient to what God wanted him to do, his heart and attitude were not right. He followed God’s command, but he did not do it with love. Consequently, he missed out on the joy and blessings that come from a LOVING obedience! He should have been rejoicing over the souls that turned towards God, and the Kingdom of God being established in that city. Instead, he felt sorry for himself and complained because God didn’t do things the way he wanted them done. He did not have God’s heart.

I think we need to take a good look at our lives and make sure that we aren’t developing the same attitude that Jonah had. How much of our obedience to God is NOT done with the love of God in our heart? (I Cor. 13:1-3), and are we missing out on His blessings because of it? Do we grumble when God asks us to do something that is difficult for us; that we may not want to do? Are we more focused on the temporal, fleeting things of the earth that will only benefit us, rather than the Kingdom of God? Do we really have God’s heart for the lost, and are we willing to lovingly do whatever it takes to see people enter a relationship with Jesus Christ, even if it is inconvenient or costly to us; even if they are our enemies?

So, did Jonah really come out alright? No, I think God still had a lot of work to do in him. And I know He is still working in me.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus… (Phil. 2:5 NIV)

My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will. (Matt. 26:39 NIV)

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross... (Heb. 12:2 NIV)