THE ANGRY PREACHER

December 8, 2002 PM

Jonah 4:1-3

INTRO: I think that the last chapter of Jonah has been the most perplexing section of the book for me. The success of Jonahs ministry in the word was unquestioned and perhaps unparalleled. People were repenting and turning to God by the hundreds. And Jonahs reaction to all of this was great anger over the great things happening in Nineveh. The proper response would have been to join God in rejoicing over the great things happening in Nineveh. But not so for our complex prophet and preacher, Jonah. Tonight I want us to consider together The Angry Prophet or Preacher.

I. THE CAUSE AND OBJECT OF HIS ANGER?

A. Cause seems to have been rooted in discrimination

1. in v. 2 some emphasis is upon my country

2. his own people were Jews fiercely national, exclusive, proud

3. and the Gentiles were really considered dogs by the Jews Jonah resented his being there, his success added fuel

B. Yet, cause may have been, too, in frustration

1. his own people were in a period of degeneracy, sin

2. no doubt he had tried with no success - to change the course of Israel

3. now, wicked Nineveh repents, turns to God, is spared could not the heart of Jonah have been filled with frustration

C. And God is apparently the object of Jonahs anger

1. it was Gods sparing Nineveh which provoked Jonah!

2. so Jonah remonstrates with God .. almost as if to say, I told you so, God

3. at least, though, he is not running hes talking with God ... and hes being honest

II. SOME IMPORTANT LESSONS HERE ABOUT ANGER

A. Much of our anger is unreasonable

1. Jonahs anger just really didnt make sense (comment)

2. Mt 5:22 angry ... without a cause

3. under careful examination, wed likely find that much of our own anger really is far from justified (Eccl 7:9)

B. Much of our anger threatens our relationships

1. Jonahs anger certainly placed a strain in relating with God note, too, Acts 15:36-40

2. in anger we say/do things that tend to hurt others

3. in anger we withhold ourselves from others - in either case the manifestation of anger places great stress upon the relationship

C. Much of our anger is truly selfish

1. truth is that Jonah couldnt have his way (pride?)

2. rather than to accept graciously a circumstance with which he could do nothing which wasnt his business, he became very angry

3, note Num 20:10 must we Moses had, momentarily, become very self-centered ... was feeling sorry for himself and not for God!

D. Much of our anger is destructive

1. Jonahs anger had him striking out at everyone soured him

2. Prov 29:22 - there isnt much positive in anger

3. anger destroys marriages, families, aspirations ... the saddest thing about anger is that it is really self destructive (remember Moses fate after striking the rock?) - Prov 19:19

E. Much of our anger reaches illogical conclusions

1. in his anger Jonah wasnt thinking straight (4:3)

2. in v.2 we can see that he knew the nature of God and that what had happened was totally consistent with Gods nature ... but Jonah was mad ... concludes he is worthless

3. Prov 14:17 a quick tempered man does foolish things (N.I.V.)

F. Much of our anger could be avoided

1. anger is so often the symptom of a person out of control

2. listen to wise words: Prov 19:11 discretion ... deferreth

3. with Gods help - through prayer, His word - we can be controlled people ... whose lives are lovely, profitable for others

CLOSE: Jonah could not even claim righteous indignation. He was hurt; he was mad. And it was his own fault. There are great lessons in this for those of us wise enough to see and apply them!

Cecil A. Hutson

08 December 2002