Relentless Grace

Jonah obeyed, but God wasn't finished with him! That's why we have chapter 4 - the strange story of a big leafy plant, a little worm and an angry prophet!

Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.” But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” “It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.” But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”

Jonah 4:6-10

When you read a story like this, you might think really! Yet, given what has happened already in the book, fast growing plants don't seem that unlikely.

The better question to as is - what is God up to? What is he doing?

He's teaching Jonah a lesson. He's revealing what is going on in his heart.

You see, God doesn't simply want Jonah to obey. He didn't need Jonah specifically to go to Nineveh - he could have sent anyone there. No, God is working in Jonah's heart, to transform Jonah to one who is caring and compassionate. To makes sure the heart of the prophet matches the heart of the God he speaks about.

And that is what God is always about.

God isn't making little robots. He isn't turning us into obedient servants. He is working in our hearts, to make us more like his son Jesus.

God doesn't want to make us obedient, he wants to see his own reflection, his own glory, in and through us.

So don't settle today for obedience. Allow God to work on your heart.