Topical Bible: Anger: Sinful: Jonah

◄ Anger: Sinful: Jonah ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical narrative, the prophet Jonah is a prominent figure whose experience with anger is illustrative of sinful human emotions in contrast to divine compassion and mercy. The Book of Jonah, found in the Old Testament, provides a detailed account of Jonah's mission to the city of Nineveh and his subsequent reaction to God's mercy towards the Ninevites.

Jonah's anger is first evident after God spares Nineveh from destruction. Jonah had been sent by God to proclaim a message of impending judgment to the city due to its wickedness. However, upon hearing Jonah's warning, the people of Nineveh, from the greatest to the least, repented of their sins. In response to their repentance, God relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them. This act of divine mercy displeased Jonah greatly, and he became angry.

The Berean Standard Bible captures Jonah's reaction in Jonah 4:1-3: "But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. So he prayed to the LORD, 'Please, LORD, was this not what I said while I was still in my own country? That is why I was so quick to flee toward Tarshish. I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion—One who relents from sending disaster. And now, LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.'"

Jonah's anger is rooted in his inability to reconcile God's mercy with his own desire for justice and retribution against Nineveh, a city known for its violence and sin. His anger reveals a self-centered perspective, prioritizing his own expectations over God's sovereign will and compassion. Jonah's displeasure is not only directed at the Ninevites but also at God Himself, whom Jonah accuses of being too merciful.

God's response to Jonah's anger is both corrective and instructive. In Jonah 4:4 , the LORD asks, "Have you any right to be angry?" This question challenges Jonah to reflect on the righteousness of his anger and to consider the broader scope of God's redemptive purposes. God further illustrates His point through the lesson of the plant, which provides Jonah with shade but is then destroyed by a worm. Jonah's concern for the plant, contrasted with his lack of compassion for the people of Nineveh, underscores the misplaced priorities of his anger.

The narrative of Jonah serves as a profound exploration of sinful anger, highlighting the tension between human emotions and divine attributes. Jonah's account invites believers to examine their own hearts, to align their desires with God's will, and to embrace His compassion and mercy, even towards those whom they might consider undeserving.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jonah 4:4
Then said the LORD, Do you well to be angry?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

God Showed Himself, by the Fall of Man, as Patient, Benign ...
... if God will repent, and turn away His anger from us ... word which was uttered in prophecy
by Jonah: "I cried ... too, "was made in the likeness of sinful flesh," [3692 ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xx god showed himself by.htm

Instances of God's Repentance, and Notably in the Case of the ...
... not." [2995] In accordance with which Jonah himself says ... gracious God and merciful,
slow to anger, and of ... against you;" [3002] meaning not to sinful evils, but ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxiv instances of gods repentance.htm

Hymn for those who Fast
... a peaceful resting-place, Where, far from sinful crowds, he ... come The Avenger in His
mercy sent Jonah the seer ... decree, If they may thus Christ's anger stay: No ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/vii hymn for those who.htm

Self-Denial.
... meant efforts at so-called sanctification become sinful. ... earnest, so much selfishness,
ambition, anger, confidence in ... his soul, "Simon Bar-Jonah, lovest thou Me ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xvi self-denial.htm

The Meek and Lowly One
... for a prophet tarnished, he must needs sit down in anger. ... and utter it far more mightily
than Jonah could; he ... you are sinful, but Christ is very tender-hearted ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the meek and lowly one.htm

Expiation
... anger of God, and that that anger should be ... went, though with another message than
Jonah carried, through ... can make atonement for millions of sinful men, and ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/expiation.htm

Christian Meekness
... with God: I do well to be angry to the death' (Jonah 4:9 ... i) This is sinful arguing. ...
All your affections at first, your joy, love, anger were set in order as the ...
/.../watson/the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/12 christian meekness.htm

The First Disciples.
... We know also that the families of Zebedee and Jonah were partners ... of Him for party
ends left Him in anger when they ... what He is and what He does for sinful men. ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/iv the first disciples.htm

The Doctrines of Salvation A. Repentance. B. Faith. C. ...
... the preaching of the word of God by Jonah they believed ... 2. THE SINFUL CONDITION OF
MAN DEMANDS IT. ... he retaineth not his anger forever, because he delighteth in ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrines of salvation a.htm

Elijah's Weakness, and Its Cube
... and supposed to become afterwards the prophet Jonah. ... How different this weak and
sinful wail over his ... of compassion and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/elijahs weakness and its cube.htm