Here we are, at the end of our Jonah series already. In chapter 4, Jonah claims he is angry enough to die. He is angry that the Lord is showing mercy and accepting the repentance of the Ninevites, angry the plant God gave him is eaten by a worm, angry with the weather. Jonah seriously utters the words some people say in jest these days, “Just kill me now.” God’s timeless response is for Jonah and all of us at different points in life. “Is it right for you to be angry about this?” The Lord seems to want Jonah to look inside himself again, ferret out the cause of his anger. It looks like Jonah’s heart is still tangled in seaweed and selfishness. Can Jonah really be more concerned with his reputation than the lives of 120,000 people and animals?
All of us face anger. Might be justified in our eyes. Might sneak up on us and show its teeth without warning. It might grow slowly, smoldering before it ignites. Whether we deal, or don’t deal, with anger, it affects our hearts and minds. Psalm 4:4 says, “Don’t sin by letting anger control you.” We need to pull our anger out of the deep, dark parts of us, like Jonah should have, and give it to the Lord. Dealing with anger is hard, but healing and healthy work. What is next for Jonah? Does he overcome anger and find peace? What comes next for the people and animals of Nineveh? Do they honor their new God? The Word is quiet about the specifics. And loud at the same time. Jesus gives a new commandment, “Love one another.” That should cover all of us, especially when we are angry. ~Tracy