Scripture Union Discovery 27th February 2025 Devotional Message for Thursday
TOPIC: A Jealous Prophet
Opening Prayer
Lord God, as I learn more of you in your Word, encourage me with new reasons to change how I feel, how I think, and how I act. I want to continue growing into the person you created me to be.
Read JONAH 4
Jonah’s Anger at the Lord’s Compassion
4 But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. 2 He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. 3 Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.”
4 But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?”
5 Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. 6 Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant[a] 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. 7 But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. 8 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.”
9 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.”
10 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. 11 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?”
Reflect
How would you feel if the ruthless dictator of a modern, evil regime were overthrown? How would you feel if they were soundly converted? Be honest!
As with the rest of Jonah’s story, this final part is all about God and his compassion, mercy, and justice (3:10). Jonah, however, is furious that God has spared the Ninevites the punishment they deserve (v. 1)! This time, his attitude mirrors that of the other, older brother in Jesus’ story of the prodigal son. He’s angry, jealous, and resentful. Jonah now has a run-in with God, just as the firstborn son berates his father when his repentant brother returns home (Luke 15:28–32). Both scenarios end with a question, emphasizing God’s sovereign authority and supreme grace toward the lost, whether an individual (Luke 15:32) or a city of 120,000 people (v. 11).
Are we sometimes guilty of behaving like Jonah—perhaps in our attitude toward neighbors, colleagues, or even friends and family (James 4:12)? God teaches Jonah about his grace, first through a fish and then through a plant. We are not told how Jonah responds at the end of the story, but at this point he seems unable to accept that God knows best.
Apply
Rather than being about Jonah and a great big fish, this book is all about a great big God! Look back over Jonah’s story. Reflect on how God’s mercy and grace shine through the chaos.
Closing prayer
Thank you, Father, that just as you worked through Jonah—despite his failings, you are working through me. Continue to show me the greatness of who you are and cause your vision for the lost to grow in me.
Scripture Union Discovery 27th February 2025 Devotional © 2025 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved
