When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened. But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. (Jonah 3:10­4:1)
Nearly everyone knows about the misadventures that befell Jonah on his journey to Nineveh: the ocean storm and the detour in the belly of a whale. But readers of Jonah often miss the central point, the reason for Jonah's misadventures in the first place. He was rebelling against God's mercy. Jonah offers a true-life study of how hard it is to follow the biblical command, "Love your enemies." While many people admire that command, few find it easy to put into practice.
Jonah had understandable reason to balk at God's orders to preach in Nineveh, for that city was the capital of an empire renowned for its cruelty. Assyrian soldiers had no qualms about "scorched earth" military tactics. Typically, after destroying an enemy's fields and cities, they would slaughter the conquered peoples or hammer iron hooks through their noses or lower lips and lead them away as slaves. Jonah wanted no part in giving such bullies a chance to repent. But amazingly, God loved Nineveh and wanted to save the city, not destroy it. He knew the people were ripe for change.
The book of Jonah powerfully expresses God's yearning to forgive, and these two brief chapters fill in the lesser-known details of Jonah's mission. To the prophet's disgust, a simple announcement of doom sparked a spiritual revival in pagan Nineveh. And Jonah, sulking under a shriveled vine, admitted he had suspected God's soft heart all along. He could not trust God - could not, that is, trust him to be harsh and unrelenting toward Nineveh.
The book also reveals God's ultimate purpose for his chosen people: He wanted them, like Jonah, to reach out to other people and demonstrate his love and forgiveness. Nineveh's wholehearted response put the Israelites to shame, for not once did they respond to a prophet like these Assyrians did.
Life Question: Have you ever consciously tried to love the "enemies" in your life?
