Read Jonah 4:1 – Jonah’s Heart Revealed
If this book had ended at the last verse of Chapter 3, history would have portrayed Jonah as the greatest of the prophets. After all, preaching one message that motivated thousands of people to repent and turn to God was no mean accomplishment. But the Lord doesn’t look on the outward things; He looks at the heart (1 Sam. 16:7) and weighs the motives (1 Cor. 4:5). That’s why Chapter 4 was included in this book, for it reveals the “thoughts and intents” of Jonah’s heart and exposes his sins. – Wiersbe
1. In reference to the above quote:
a. Explain the meaning of 1 Sam. 16:7. Now apply it to your life.
b. Explain the meaning of 1 Cor. 4:5. Now apply it to your life.
2. According to verse 1, Jonah was exceedingly displeased. What displeased him?
a. Why do you think it displeased him?
b. At what or whom was Jonah angry?
Read Jonah 4:2 – Jonah’s Second Prayer
1. In spite of his anger, Jonah prays to His God. He uses the title “Yahweh” or “Jehovah” which means the self-existent, self-sufficient, eternal God. Do you think using this title is in line with Jonah’s thoughts and actions? Why or why not?
2. We find in verse 2 one of the reasons why Jonah went to Tarshish instead of Nineveh in the first place. What do you see?
3. Note the things that Jonah knows about his God.
a. How do these characteristics speak to this situation?
b. How might God’s attributes that Jonah didn’t mention play into the situation?
4. When Jonah needed God’s mercy while in the great fish, he relied on it. When the Ninevites experienced God’s mercy, it angered him. It may help us to understand Jonah’s reaction to God’s extension of mercy to the Ninevites by remembering a few things:
a. Nineveh was the capital city of Assyria. The Assyrians were enemies of Israel.
b. The church age with the understanding of God’s love for the whole world, Gentiles included, is very different from the understanding that the Israelites of the Old Testament had of God’s view of the Gentiles.
c. The Israelites knew they were God’s special people (Deut. 7:7-9) but they did not understand God’s heart for the Gentile nations.
d. Paul speaks of this mindset in Rom. 10:1-2. How does this apply to Jonah?
5. When the New Testament church began, this misunderstanding of God’s love for the Gentiles still existed. Describe the way God began to change this understanding through Peter. See Acts 10.
6. Consider Jonah’s Jewish friends back home when they heard the news of Jonah’s successful mission to save Nineveh. Might Jonah’s reputation have been a concern for him? When reputation is more important than character, and pleasing ourselves and our friends is more important than pleasing God, then we’re in danger of becoming like Jonah and living to defend our prejudices instead of fulfilling our spiritual responsibilities. – Wiersbe
How might your reputation be a struggle for your obedience?
Read Jonah 4:3-4 – God’s Response
1. What do you think the “Therefore” in verse 3 is referring to?
2. Jonah was so distraught over this that he wanted to die. In spite of all of this, God responded tenderly and graciously, asking Jonah to examine his heart. What did God say to him? How might this help Jonah? Might this be a question you should ask yourself in the midst of anger? Why or why not?
3. Guzik reminds us that God has often used questions to stir people to think and reveal their hearts. As our Lord, God has every right to ask questions, and we are wise to answer honestly. In the following verses what is the situation and what did God ask?
a. Gen. 3:9-13
b. Gen. 4:6-7, 9-10
c. Is. 6:8
d. Matt. 16:15
e. Luke 22:48
f. Acts 9:4
4. This technique of asking questions to help people consider their motives and examine their hearts can be very valuable person to person also. Are there questions you have used as you have had the opportunity to minister to people?