One of my favorite temper tantrums of Scripture is found in Jonah 4 – perhaps because I can closely relate to it. In this final chapter of Jonah, we find him back in the city of Ninevah. After spending three days in the belly of a fish, he goes to proclaim the Word of God to a city of violent, cruel idol worshippers. Even after expressing gratitude for the Lord in saving him, he is still sulking, discontent, and uncomfortable. He fears that the Lord will forgive Ninevah, which we find interesting – this doesn’t seem to be the reaction of a repentant prophet rejoicing at God’s mercy. But Jonah’s sins of unbelief, fear, selfishness, and anger blind him in his uncomfortable … [Read more...]