Romans: Sin, Judgment, and Gospel Foundations: Praying Against the Wicked

The Displeased Prophet - Jonah Series - Part 4 of 4

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: New Testament Studies

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2024-12-01

Synopsis: In this final message on Jonah, Pastor John Weaver examines Jonah's anger at God's mercy on Nineveh. Jonah is displeased that his preaching succeeded, wanting the Assyrians destroyed. God questions Jonah's anger, using a gourd and a worm to teach him about misplaced priorities. The sermon emphasizes God's sovereignty, the necessity of preaching, and the danger of bitterness. Applications include submitting to God's will, valuing people over comfort, and trusting God's purposes even when we don't understand them.

[John Weaver] Read all of that chapter, it's a very short chapter, 11 verses. And this will be the final message on Jonah, at least for a while. Jonah chapter 4, beginning there with verse 1. The title of the message is The Displeased Prophet. the displeased prophet. Jonah chapter 4 verse 1. But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. And he prayed unto the Lord and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying when I was yet in my country?

[John Weaver] Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish, for I knew that thou art a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil. Therefore now, O Lord, take I beseech thee my life from me. for it's better for me to die than to live. Then said the Lord, doest thou well to be angry? So Jonah went out of the city and set on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth and sat under it in the shadow, until he might see what would become of the city. And the Lord God prepared a gourd and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow or shade over his head to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd, But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smoked the gourd that it withered. And it came to pass, when the sun did rise, that God prepared a vehement east wind, and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished himself to die, and said, it is better for me to die than to live.

[John Weaver] And God said to Jonah, doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry even unto death. Then said the Lord, Thou hast pity on the gourd for the which thou hast not laboured, neither made it sit to grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city wherein are more than six score thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand, and also much cattle? A Jonah is the only preacher that I know, or at least one of the few that I've ever known that was displeased with the fact that his message was successful and blessed by God. Jonah, of course, was mad that God spared the Assyrians. He did not want them spared. He wanted them destroyed.

[John Weaver] So here's a good question. Think about this. Have you ever been mad at God? Have you ever been displeased with the providence of God in your life? Have you gone through tests and trials and afflictions and thought to yourself, I don't deserve this? Well, the truth of the matter is, you did deserve it. And actually, you deserve even worse. God was just merciful unto you and did not give you that which you really deserved.

[John Weaver] Recently, I saw a headline out of WALB, which is a TV station in Albany, Georgia. But I read the headline on the internet. And it was concerning a wreck. And the headline was this. No one deserves to die like this. Someone died in that wreck. I do not know who. I did not say at that particular time. But I can assure you the family who lost the loved one in that wreck was certainly mad at God and displeased with the providence of God in that individual's life. And the truth is, yes, he did deserve to die like that.

[John Weaver] In fact, he deserved even worse. It's never a joyous experience for a family to lose a loved one. I understand that. But we have to understand also that we're sinners and that we are going to die. So Jonah is one of these individuals who is exceedingly critical and angry with God.

[John Weaver] Now, before you condemn Jonah, and his bitterness and resentment and anger, you have to examine your own life. So let me ask you a question. Have you ever been upset with God enough to voice your anger? Now Jonah certainly did. He voiced it very fully and freely. But the truth of the matter is most of us would never ever voice our anger and our resentment and our bitterness at God. But although we would not say what Jonah said, and we would not necessarily act the way Jonah acted, the truth of the matter is that we would display our anger not only in our attitude, but in our disposition as well. I've known Christians that have become angry with God at the loss of a husband, a wife, a child.

[John Weaver] In fact, I had an uncle who lost his wife at something like 55, 56 years. And he was exceedingly critical and angry with God because he lost his wife. And the truth of the matter is, he died as well shortly thereafter. So I'm just simply saying, there is not one family that has not been touched by death. There's not one family that has not lost a loved one. So Jonah here is exceedingly angry.

[John Weaver] So here's a few questions that we can ask in light of the title of this message, The Displeased Prophet. Have you ever been angry with God? My next question would be this. Did it do you any good to be angry with God? Did it change his providence? Did it stop him from accomplishing his purpose? And the answer, of course, is absolutely not. And so I could ask this question.

[John Weaver] Who then suffered because of your anger, your resentment, and your bitterness? Certainly it was not God. It was you. And not only it was you, it was probably others who suffered because of you. Let me show you. If you would hold Jonah chapter four, but I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of Hebrews chapter 12, Hebrews chapter 12. And let's begin reading there with verse 15, Hebrews chapter 12 and verse 15. Look, if you would, what God says specifically concerning bitterness. Watch. Hebrews chapter 12 and verse 15. God says, looking diligently, lest any man fail of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.

[John Weaver] Lest there be any fornicator or profane person as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. But note, if you would, he talks in verse 15 about the root of bitterness. And he said, that root of bitterness will spring up and trouble you. And then he says, and thereby many be defiled. So bitterness and resentment will not only eat you alive, it will spread to other people like a canker and affect them as well.

[John Weaver] So most Christians, when you think about this and you observe what is happening in the land today, and especially in most churches, spoiled child, especially when it comes to discipline and correction. We want what we want, and we want it when we want it, and God had better not get in our way. That's the way most people think. We've got to have our way or else we will show Him. And the truth of the matter is, we don't show Him. It is true that God is absolutely sovereign. It is God who does His pleasure. It is God who fulfills His counsel. It is God who fulfills His purpose.

[John Weaver] And no one can hinder Him, thwart Him, overthrow Him, or stop Him. Because God is sovereign and God is God. That's what the psalmist said in Psalm 115 in verse 3. But our God is in the heavens. He does whatsoever He pleases. So God's the only one that can really do as He pleases. pleases. And then, of course, in Isaiah 46 and verse 10, he said, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times, the things that are not yet done, saying, my counsel shall stand and I will do all of my pleasure.

[John Weaver] Now, we have to come to the realization that God's will is absolutely best for us. We may not understand it. We may not like it. We may not necessarily agree with it, but we have to bow and say, yes, God's will is absolutely the best for us. And let me clear up something right now. Each one of us have suffered some more than others. Each one has been through tests, trials, afflictions.

[John Weaver] Some are going through them now. Don't you understand that God is not some old meanie in heaven? that's just waiting to beat the living tar out of each one of us. That's not what the scripture says. In Lamentations chapter 3 and verse 33, the Bible said, He does not afflict willingly or grieve the children of men. God does not willingly afflict us. God is not waiting just to spring upon us and whip us so we can't walk.

[John Weaver] No, not by any stretch of the imagination. Our Heavenly Father is not some old meanie that enjoys depriving us, chastening us, and causing us heartache. And I can say that no a thousand times no. And I want you to listen to Matthew chapter 7 and verse 11. Listen to what the Bible says. If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father give good things to them that ask Now stop and think about that verse. If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children. Every one of us that have had children, we know what it means to give good gifts to them and to please them.

[John Weaver] And we're happy to do that, especially when they're obedient and when they're submissive and they live and do that which is right and that which they should do. And God said, if you, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father give good things to them that ask Him? So if we're going to be bitter and resentful, then what we need to do is be bitter and resentful at ourselves, at our ignorance out of our sin and our rebellion that causes God, oftentimes, to chasten us.

[John Weaver] I told you that Jonah was a very angry man, and he was. If you look in your Bibles to Jonah chapter 4 and verse 1, look at this. But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. Now skip down to verse 4. Then said the Lord, doest thou well to be angry? Wow. Now look in verse 9. And God said to Jonah, doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? So three times now, God has pointed out the fact that Jonah is one angry man.

[John Weaver] And by the way, the word angry here is the Hebrew word kara, which literally means to be hot, to be furious, to burn, to become angry, to be kindled and to work oneself into vexation. So Jonah is not someone who's just a little tick. Jonah is someone who is exceedingly furious against God. So why was Jonah angry? Well, the answer is because God had mercy on the Assyrians. As I pointed out in the first message, the Assyrians were enemies of God's people. And by the way, if the Lord allows us to live and I get to preach next Sunday, you will find out something very informative about the Assyrians, something that most of us have not even considered at this particular time. But the truth of the matter is, Jonah knew exactly that which the Assyrians were going to do to Israel, and he did not want the Assyrians to attack Israel and destroy Israel.

[John Weaver] And so, therefore, he wanted their destruction. He wanted their doom. If you will turn in your Bibles to 2 Kings chapter 8, 2 Kings chapter 8, I'll give you a good parallel. This is almost the way Elisha felt when he was talking to Hazael. And notice, if you would, what Elisha did and how he composed himself until, basically, he was ashamed. So in 2 Kings chapter 8, beginning there with verse 7, look at this. 2 Kings chapter 8 and verse 7. In Elisha came to Damascus, and Ben-Hadad, the king of Syria, was sick.

[John Weaver] And it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither. And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go meet the man of God, and inquire of the Lord by him, saying, Shall I recover this disease? So Ben-Hadad only asked one question. He wants to know one thing. Will he recover? Now watch verse 9. So Hazel went to meet him and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, 40 camel's burdens and came and stood before him. I don't really know how much you can pack on a camel.

[John Weaver] I'm sure it's pretty hefty. So this is probably almost a semi-truckload of goods, or a half a truckload of goods, that are being brought just so Elisha can answer this question whether Ben-Hadad will recover now watch Verse 10 and Elisha said to him go send him Thou may a certain recover How be it the Lord has showed me that he shall surely die Now look if you would at verse 11 look at verse 11 2nd Kings chapter 8 he said And he settled his countenance steadfastly until he was ashamed and the man of God wept And Hazael said, Why weepeth my Lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou will do to the children of Israel.

[John Weaver] Their strongholds will thou set on fire, and their young men will thou slay with a sword, and will dash their children, rip up their women with child. And Hazael said, But what is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, The Lord hath showed me that thou shalt be king over Syria. So he departed from Elisha, and came to his master, and said unto him, What said Elisha to thee? And he answered, he told me that thou should have surely recovered. And it came to pass on the morrow that he took a thick cloth and dipped it in water and spread it upon his face, so that he died, Ben-Hadad, and Hazael reigned in his stead.

[John Weaver] Now, notice if you would, in Jonah chapter 4, Jonah's exceedingly angry because God has spared the Assyrians. And the reason being, he knew exactly what the Assyrians were going to do to Israel. Just like now, Elisha, He knows what Ben-Hadad is going to do to his people as well. And the Bible says that Elisha settled his countenance steadfast until he was ashamed, and the men of God wept.

[John Weaver] Hazel said, why in the world are you weeping? Why, he said, I know what you're going to do to the children of Israel. You're going to rip up their women and child. You're going to slay their young men. And Hazel said, but what is thy servant, a dog? Did he should do this great thing? By the way, that is exactly what Hazel did. He went, and of course, and murdered then he'd add the king, and he reigned in his said, and he did exactly that which Elisha said he was going to do. So Jonah knew that the Assyrians then were going to be attacking Israel. I've told you about the book of Nahum, and the book of Habakkuk, how they also dealt with the Assyrians and Babylonians as well. But I'm just simply pointing out, they knew exactly what is happening. So Jonah now And Jonah chapter four is exceedingly angry. So I want you to go back to Jonah chapter four and look at it, if you would, please. Book of Jonah chapter four.

[John Weaver] Notice, if you would, at verses three and four. In fact, let's read verses one and two. He said, but it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. And he prayed unto the Lord and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying when I was yet in my country? Therefore, I fled before unto Tarshish, for I knew that thou art a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, and a great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil. Therefore now, O Lord, take I beseech thee my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live. Then said the Lord, doest thou well to be angry? Now, when you look at verse two, And you remember I told you in Jonah chapter 1, Jonah was running from God. In Jonah chapter 2, he's running back to God. But in verse 2, here is what Jonah is basically saying. Lord, I knew you were a merciful God. I knew you'd have mercy upon those people. I knew you would spare them.

[John Weaver] And Lord, I did not want to see them spared. I wanted to see them destroyed. And therefore, I fled to Tarshish, I knew. exactly what you're going to do. Your mercy is exceedingly great. And you are just as kind and gracious as you can be. And I did not desire their repentance. So God asked him, do us now well to be angry. And notice if you would, Jonah wants to die because God blessed his preaching. It's what he said in verse three, therefore now, Lord, I Take, I beseech thee, my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live. Now, you remember back in chapter 2, Jonah wanted others to kill him because he told them, throw me in the water. He wanted to die.

[John Weaver] And he thought that would be the end of it. Now he's not willing to do anything, but he's asking God to take his life now. So in Jonah, chapter three, God renews the commission after Jonah repents and God sends him back to Nineveh with the message, yet 40 days and Nineveh shall be overthrown. So here's my question. Why did God send Jonah? Jonah said, God, I know that you were going to have mercy upon these people. I knew you were going to spare them. I knew that. That's why I fled. But now God, subdued Jonah in the belly of that whale. God prepared that fish especially for Jonah. And when God had that whale spit Jonah out, Jonah was willing to obey and he went and did exactly what God said. So, why did Jonah have to preach? He said, I knew God was going to be merciful. Why did God send him?

[John Weaver] Well, let me answer that with this. God has not only ordained the end, He has also ordained the means to the end. So God has not only ordained that which is the end over here, but everything that goes to that end as well. So I want you to turn to two passages in the New Testament. The first one is 1 Corinthians chapter 1, and the second one is Romans chapter 10. So if you will turn there, holding Jonah chapter 4, John chapter 4, and if you'll look first of all to the book of 1 Corinthians chapter 1. Look, if you would, what the Apostle Paul writes, and let's begin reading there with verse 20.

[John Weaver] The scripture asks, where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? Now watch carefully, for after that in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. What was the means of achieving salvation? Preaching.

[John Weaver] Now, let me show you. If you will turn back a few pages to the book of Romans chapter 10. And let's begin there with verse 13. Romans 10, verse 13. Here's a verse that most people can quote, but we usually take it out of context. Romans 10, verse 13. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Wow. Well, that's good. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. But I want you to look at verse 14. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? What precedes calling?

[John Weaver] The answer is faith, belief. Calling does not save you. Calling just demonstrates the faith that God has given you. You're not going to call on someone in whom you do not believe. You're not. Now watch it. He said in verse 13, for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Now watch verse 14. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? Okay, you must believe before you call. Now watch this. And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? Now, hang on.

[John Weaver] So, If I tell you about my youngest daughter, you are hearing about her. But if she is in this room speaking, you hear her, right? So I want you to notice, if you would, verse 14. How then shall they call on Him whom they have not believed? You must believe before you call. And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? Not heard about, but heard.

[John Weaver] What did Jesus Christ say in John chapter 10? I know my sheep, and I call them by name, and they follow me. It's just like when Mary went to the tomb. She turned about, and she saw our Lord, and she supposed Him to be the gardener. And she said, Sir, if I was born in hence, tell me, and I'll take Him away. And all he said was, Mary.

[John Weaver] And she said, Rabboni, Master. She instantly knew him when he called her name. Now watch this. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Yes. How then shall they call on him whom they have not believed? You must believe in order to call. Now shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? You must hear Christ in order to believe. And then he said, and how shall they hear it without a preacher?

[John Weaver] And how shall they preach except they be sent? So God then sends his preachers to preach his word. And he speaks to his people through the preaching and teaching of the word of God. So obviously, clearly, yes, it was necessary for Jonah to go and preach in Nineveh. God sent him. God told him he needed to go. Now here's the truth. Listen to this. And I can show you this in the Bible. Whenever God is going to have compassion upon a people, He always sends them a preacher. Whenever God is going to judge a people, He always removes the preacher. Or at least silences the preacher. When you stop and think about what is going on in our country today, and especially in Christendom today, you think of the churches that cannot find a pastor. Every week, I see churches asking for and begging for preachers from all over this country. There is a There is a email that I get and every week they have churches are asking for pastors. And I don't doubt that some of those churches probably ran some of their pastors off.

[John Weaver] And the truth of the matter is most churches really and truly do not want a real preacher. What they want is an administrator or an orator or an entertainer. They don't want someone who's actually going to teach the word of God. And people get upset with that.

[John Weaver] Now let me show you something. It's very interesting. I want you to hold Jonah chapter 4, but I want you to go back in your Bibles, if you would, to the book of Judges chapter 6. Judges chapter 6. This is an astounding passage. I want to read it just to show you the absolute devastation that was happening in the land by the Midianites and the Amalekites. So look in Judges chapter 6 and look beginning there with verse 1.

[John Weaver] And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years. And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. And because of the Midianites, the children of Israel made them the dens, which are in the mountains, and caves and strongholds. In other words, they were driven out of the cities, they were driven out of their homes. So they're living in the mountains and the caves. Now watch verse 3. And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Mennonites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them. And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass. For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude.

[John Weaver] Look now, For both they and their camels were without number, and they entered into the land to destroy it. And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites. And the children of Israel cried unto the Lord." Now look at this. Look at the devastation in verses 1 through 5. Now Israel is crying to the Lord because of all the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the destruction of the land. Verse seven, and it came to pass when the children of Israel cried in the Lord because of the Midianites, look at verse eight, that the Lord sent a prophet under the children of Israel, which said unto them, thus said the Lord God of Israel, I brought you up out of Egypt and I brought you forth out of the house of bondage.

[John Weaver] And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of all that oppressed you and drave them out from before you and gave you their land. And I said unto you, I'm the Lord your God. Fear not the gods of the Amorites, whose land you dwell, but you have not obeyed my voice. And there came an angel of the Lord and sat under an oak, which was in Oprah.

[John Weaver] That then talks about Joash. This is on Gideon when he's called there, but watch. He said, I am the Lord your God, fear not the gods. I told you that, but note if you would please go back, notice if you would, verse seven. And it came to pass when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord because of the Midianites, the Lord sent a prophet. Why didn't God send a warrior? Why didn't God send a captain? Why didn't God send a great military leader? He didn't. He sent a preacher. And if you read on, God is saying this, I'm not even going to deliver you unless you repent and come back to me. And if you're not going to repent, you call on those gods that you've chosen, let them deliver you. So if God is going to have compassion upon a people, God always sends a preacher.

[John Weaver] Now, If you will turn right over to 2nd Chronicles, 1st and 2nd Kings, 1st and 2nd Chronicles, and look in chapter 36, watch this, and verse 15. 2nd Chronicles 36 and verse 15. Here it is in black and white. And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, that would be the prophets, rising up in times and sending, why? Because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place. So God sent his preachers, why? Because he had compassion. But look what happened in verse 16. But they, that is the people, mocked the messengers of God, and be the preachers, and despised his words, that's singular, that's God's words, and misused his prophets until the wrath of the Lord arose against the people till there was no remedy. So when God has compassion on people, he sends them his preachers. When God judges a people, he removes his preachers.

[John Weaver] You remember how Elijah was in a foreign land away from Israel for three years. There was a drought for three years. What did he say to Ahab? As the Lord God liveth, for whom I stand, there shall not be rain nor dew these years, but low according to my word. And the drought in that time was just nothing more than a physical symbol of a spiritual reality, because the man of God had been taken out of the land. And so for three years, they had no word from God. Now, when he came to Jeremiah, God left him in the land, but God shut his mouth. When you get to Jeremiah chapter seven, God said to Jeremiah, pray not for this people. Jeremiah wanted to pray for them. Hmm. Jeremiah chapter 11, God says, pray not for this people. When you get to Jeremiah chapter 14, God said, all right, Jeremiah, you want to pray for them? I won't let you pray for them. But here's what you pray.

[John Weaver] You pray that I'll destroy them for that's exactly what I'm going to do. So God took Elijah out of the land, but God left Jeremiah in the land, but he just shut his mouth. He said, no, I'm not going to allow you to pray for these people. No.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of Amos, Hosea, Joel, Amos. Notice if you would, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, and look in Amos chapter eight, if you would, And let's begin reading there, verse 11. Look what God says. We're talking about when God has compassion upon a people, he sends them a preacher. When God judges a people, he either removes a preacher or shuts their mouth. So, Amos chapter 8, verse 11, God says, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, not a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.

[John Weaver] And they shall wander from sea to sea and from the north, even to the east, and they shall run to and fro and seek the word of the Lord and shall not find it. So God said there will be a famine. A famine of hearing the word of God.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to turn back in light of this to the book of Jonah, chapter four, because we're talking about the displeased prophet. because Jonah is so upset with God because God has spared the Assyrians. Now, I don't know if you've picked out the theme of the book of Jonah, but I'm going to give it to you, and you will find this over and over. In Jonah chapter 1 and verse 4, God sent out or God prepared a great wind. In Jonah 1 and verse 17, the Bible says, God prepared a great fish In Jonah 4 and verse 6, God prepared a gourd. In Jonah 4 and verse 7, God prepared a worm. And in Jonah chapter 4 and verse 8, God prepared a vehement east wind. So in this brief book, you can see God's absolute sovereignty, not only His sovereignty in dealing with Jonah, But also a sovereignty in dealing with people in general, especially nations So I want you to look in Jonah chapter 4 and let's begin reading there with verse 4 Look at this Then said the

[John Weaver] Lord doest thou well to be angry. So he's really angry and Jonah went out of the city and said on the east side of the city and there made him a booth and Sat under it in the shadow or in the shade till he might see what would become of the city. Now watch this. And the Lord God prepared a gourd and made it come up over Jonah that it might be a shadow or shade over his head to deliver him from his grief. It's astounding how merciful God is. Jonah didn't deserve the gourd, but God sent it to spare him from his grief, deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad for the gourd. But watch verse seven. But God prepared a worm when the morning rose, and the next day it smote the gourd that it withered. Ah, now watch verse 9. And it came to pass, when the sun did rise, that God prepared a vehement east wind, and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, till he fainted, and he wished himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.

[John Weaver] Now Jonah, still wanted to see the destruction of Nineveh. So he goes out on these side and he builds him a little brush arbor, probably made of sticks and leaves and branches, anything that would basically shield himself from the sun. And he's sitting there just hoping that somehow, some way God's going to change his purpose. And instead of sparing the Assyrians, God is going to end up killing those Assyrians as well. Now you've got to remember, Nineveh was a city of three days journey. And so Jonah started on one end and went to the other preaching. Yet 40 days in Nineveh shall be overthrown. So undoubtedly he's tired, walking three days straight preaching. And now he's under this little booth and he's waiting there to see what God is going to actually do to Nineveh. And so God then causes this gourd to grow, which has big, broad leaves, which shades them and cools them down immensely.

[John Weaver] I don't know if you ever noticed this or not. I notice it frequently because I have a creek, swampy area on our land. And it can be 97 degrees on the hill. And you can go down under all those shade trees around that little water. It'll be 80-something. It's a remarkable difference. And so God has created this gourd, and it shades him and cools him, and he's really thankful for that. But then the next morning, God prepares this worm, and the worm just eats the root of the gourd, and the gourd dies. Now, if you don't think that can happen that quickly, you let a tomato worm get into your tomato plants. Or you let any kind of worm underground get a hold of the root of your plant and it's going to die almost the same day. And so Jonah now has lost the gourd.

[John Weaver] And look at the question. Look at what God asked. He asked Jonah in verse 9, And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? Wow. And look at Jonah's answer, and he said, I do well to be angry, even under death. Oh, my soul. You know, Jonah appears to be the kind of child that you'd really love to slap. And when I say that, I mean slap some sense into him. How can you be so absolutely stupid, you know? Oh, my soul. Look at this.

[John Weaver] He has an attitude that is the height of unthankfulness, the height of ungratefulness, and the height of just pure sorriness and a rebellious attitude. Jonah's upset and Jonah's angry over this gourd and the fact that the worm ate the gourd. And he believes now that he has an absolute right to be angry even unto death. Wow! I know some people like that. I know even a few preachers like that. It's insane.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to watch this because we're going to make the applications. Look at verses 10 and 11. Then said the Lord, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, which thou hast not labored, neither made it sit to grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. And shouldest not I spare Nineveh, that great city wherein are more than six score thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand, and also much cattle." Now Jonah had a concern for that gourd. He didn't plant it. He didn't water it. He didn't fertilize it.

[John Weaver] It was something that was exceedingly temporary. Let me show you what he was concerned about. It was not just a concern for the gourd. It was a concern for his own comfort. His own pleasure. He had no concern for the inhabitants of Nineveh. But he did have concern for his own comfort. He had no concern for the animals of Nineveh. And if you'll notice what God said in verse 11, and I pointed out in the first message, that Nineveh was the greatest city at that era, in that era of time.

[John Weaver] It was greater than Babylon. And I gave you some of the stats concerning Nineveh in the very first message. But when you consider He has now He mentions in this verse 120,000 persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand. So we're talking about 120,000 babies, 120,000 little children. Now if you've got 120,000 little children, you know they've got brothers and sisters. And you know they've got mamas and daddies, and you know they've got aunts and uncles. And so there's probably over a million people in Nineveh.

[John Weaver] And Jonah's not concerned over any of these, nor even the animals. He's just concerned over this stupid gourd. Wow. Let me ask you a question. Have you realized that God is pointing out the crooks, not only of the matter with Jonah, but the crooks of the matter with each of us? We're more concerned with our comfort and our desires and our wills and our wants more than anything else. Years ago, I was preaching in Indiana, and Alice and I were staying with a couple while I was preaching that week, and this couple had just returned from Russia.

[John Weaver] They went on a little mission trip, and he brought back pictures He showed us pictures of a Russian baptism because there they had axes and ice picks breaking the ice in the river so they could baptize these new converts. Now you show me a professing Christian today who's willing to get into a freezing river just to be baptized. Most people won't walk across the street to go to church.

[John Weaver] And the fact is most churches are air-conditioned. We've got cushioned seats and all that. Why? Do you realize in some of these countries, people have to start congregating a day or two days prior to the church meeting and they have to walk individually or no more than one or two or three or four at the most. Because it's illegal for them to have a church and yet they go to a secret place. Wow.

[John Weaver] I want to show you. This is indeed where we are today. I want you to turn back in your Bibles, if you would, to the book of Amos. Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos. Back to Amos. Look, if you would, in Amos chapter 6. God is pointing this out. Amos chapter 6, Hosea, Joel, Amos. Look in chapter 6 beginning there in verse 1. Watch this. This is a picture of today. God says, Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and that trust in the mountain of Samaria. That'd be the government. Samaria was the capital of the northern kingdom.

[John Weaver] Mountains refer to nations and governments. He said, woe to them that are these in Zion and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations to whom the house of Israel came. Pass you into Kelna and see, and from this go ye to Hamath the great. Then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Be they better than these kingdoms, or their border greater than your border? Now watch this.

[John Weaver] You that put far away the evil day, and cause the seed of violence to come near. Watch this. They lie upon beds of ivory, and they stretch themselves upon their couches, and they eat the lambs out of the flock, that is the best and the tenderest, and the calves out of the midst of the stall, that chant to the sounds of the vial, and invent to themselves instruments of music like David, that drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments. Watch it!

[John Weaver] But they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph." What's he saying? You take care of yourself. You want the best for yourself, but you're not concerned about the afflictions of Joseph. If you'll turn back just a few pages to the book of Hosea, look at Hosea chapter 4 and verse 13. Hosea chapter 4 and verse 13. Look at this. In fact, we'll read verse 12. He says, My people ask counsel at their stocks, that is, idols, and their staff declares unto them, for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they've gone a-whoring from under their God.

[John Weaver] Now look, they sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains and burn incense upon the hills under oaks and poplars and elms. Why? Because the shadow thereof is good. In other words, they want comfort. They'd rather be comfortable in their idolatry. Wow! This is exactly what God is pointing out to Jonah. You're more concerned about your personal comforts than you are the people or the animals that happen to be in Nineveh. Now, here's another truth that we have to learn from Jonah chapter 4.

[John Weaver] This is very disconcerting to some folks. but it's still the absolute truth. And that is this, that preachers do not get to choose the type of ministry that they prefer or that they desire. God is the one that ordains their ministry for them. Now hang on, there is a ministry of reconciliation and there is a ministry of condemnation. Jonah was given a ministry of reconciliation, but he really wanted a ministry of condemnation. Isaiah and Jeremiah were given a ministry of condemnation, but they really wanted a ministry of reconciliation. What about Noah? Do you realize that Noah preached 120 years and never had one convert?

[John Weaver] And the Bible says in 2 Peter 2 and verse 5 that he was a preacher of righteousness. Let me show you. If you will turn back in your Bibles to Jeremiah chapter 1, Jeremiah chapter 1, let me just show you very quickly that God has given Jeremiah a ministry of condemnation. Jeremiah chapter 1, notice if you would verse 10, look at what God says. Jeremiah 1 verse 10. God says, See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms to root out and to pull down and to destroy and to throw down and to build and to plant.

[John Weaver] He had to do three times much destruction as he did building and planting. Now skip down to verse 15. Look at this. For lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the earth, saith the Lord, and they shall come And they shall set every one his throne at the entering into the gates of Jerusalem, that is, all these heathen are going to conquer Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about,

[John Weaver] and against all the cities of Judah. And I will utter my judgments against them, touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me and have burned incense unto other gods, and worship the works of their own hands. Thou therefore gird up thy loins and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee. Be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them. For behold, I've made thee this day a defense city and an iron pillar and a brazen wall against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, against the people thereof, and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee, for I'm with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee."

[John Weaver] What's he saying to Jeremiah? Nobody's going to listen to you. I'm going to end up destroying them. And when you get to Jeremiah chapter 9 in verse 1, Jeremiah says, Oh, I wish that my head were waters and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain daughter of my people. He said, I want to weep all the time. He was a man full of compassion.

[John Weaver] He's known as the weeping prophet. And yet God gave him a ministry of condemnation, not a ministry of reconciliation. If you'll turn right on back, to Isaiah chapter 6. Just back a few pages, Isaiah chapter 6, and look if you would please, beginning there with verse 8. This is where God calls Isaiah into the ministry. Isaiah chapter 6, look in verse 8. Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Hear my, send me. And he said, Go and tell this people and hear you indeed, but understand not and see you indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat and make their ears heavy and shut their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and convert and be healed. God said, I want you to go. Yeah, these people are going to listen to you. They're not going to see. They're not going to hear. They're not going to understand.

[John Weaver] Now, Isaiah finally asked this question in verse 11, then said, I Lord, how long that is, how long do I have to go to these people? And he answered until the cities be wasted without inhabited and the houses without man and the land be utterly desolate. In other words, I'm not going to let him hear you. You're going to have a ministry of condemnation. Isaiah wanted a ministry of reconciliation.

[John Weaver] So did Jeremiah, but they didn't have it. Now, God, does not give every preacher a ministry of Charles Haddon Spurgeon. He does not give every preacher a ministry of George Whitefield. He doesn't give everybody a ministry of the Apostle Paul. No, he gives some a ministry of condemnation and others a ministry of reconciliation.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to turn in your Bibles to second Corinthians, second Corinthians and look in chapter two. And I'm going to show you, in this chapter, the ministry of reconciliation and the ministry of condemnation. So here it is. Look at this. 2 Corinthians 2, verse 14. The Apostle Paul says, Now thanks be unto God, which always causes us to triumph in Christ, and make it manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place. Now look what he says in verse 15. For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ in them that are saved and in them that perish." Now, the sweet savor refers to the incense and to the smoke that came up out of those offerings in the Old Testament. So he says, For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ in them that are saved and in them that perish.

[John Weaver] To the one we are the savor of death unto death, and to the other the saver of life unto life, and who is sufficient for these things. So here it is. Let me explain this. Let's suppose there happens to be in this room today 100 lost men and women, none saved. And I preach as hard as I can, and God blesses the Word, And the Holy Spirit works in their hearts. And let's just say all 100 are regenerated and converted by God.

[John Weaver] And they're all praising the Lord. You know what God does? Here's what God does. My son is preached. And I'm satisfied. If we take that same 100 unsafe men and women, And I preach as hard as I can. And I preach Jesus Christ. And every one of them raises their fist and clenched their teeth and say, we'll not have this man to reign over us. And they try to run me off and run me out of town. You know what God says? My son is preached. And I'm satisfied. One would be a ministry of reconciliation. the other ministry of condemnation. That's what he said.

[John Weaver] We're the saver of life unto life and death unto death. And who's sufficient for these things? Only God. Only God.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to understand this. It is faithfulness that counts, not greatness. Noah was faithful for 120 years, never had one conjured. And God put him on the heroes of faith. Isaiah and Jeremiah, They're the heroes of faith. They never had any converts. It's faithfulness that counts. There are preachers that you and I have never heard of. There are Christians that you and I have never heard of and probably never will hear of that have led faithful, consistent, godly Christian lives. And God counts them as successful.

[John Weaver] Success is not in numbers. Success is not in bigness. Success is not in greatness. Success is in faithfulness. We may be small, we may be insignificant, but what counts is faithfulness. Our Lord said, Moreover it is demanded that a steward be found faithful. And that's true, 1 Corinthians chapter 4. God demands faithfulness. Now, I want you to note what God said. I want you to go back in your Bibles, or at least turn in your Bibles, please, to Psalm 104. Because God said to Jonah, God said to Jonah, there's 120,000 babies in that city that can't discern between their left hand and their right hand. Yes, there were undoubtedly plenty of sinners in that great city.

[John Weaver] But there were also children. There were also animals. And God said, and all the cattle. You know, here's an astounding thing for me. That God is concerned about animals. He's not only concerned about humans, he's concerned about animals as well. Stop and think about this. Animals are just as much God's creation as we are. And God takes care of animals. God feeds them. God protects and provides for their needs as well.

[John Weaver] So look in Psalm 104, and let's begin reading there with verse 10. Psalm 104, verse 10. He sent the springs into the valleys which run among the hills. Why? They give drink to every beast of the field. The wild asses quench their thirst. By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches. He watereth the hills from his chambers. The earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.

[John Weaver] He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, an herb for the service of man, that he may bring forth food out of the earth, and wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart. The trees of the Lord are full of sap, the cedars of Lebanon which he hath planted. Where the birds make their nests is for the stork, the fir trees are her house.

[John Weaver] The high hills are refuge for the wild goats, and the rocks for the conies. He appointed the moon for seasons, the sun knoweth his going down. They make darkness, thou makest darkness, and in this night wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth." Look at this. The young lions roar after their prey and seek their meat from God. The sun arises, they gather themselves together and lay them down in their dens. Man goes forth into his work and to his labor until the evening. Then he says, Oh Lord, how manifold are thy works and wisdom thou hast made them all. The earth is full of thy riches. Praise the Lord. Listen to me. No animal deserves to be abused, mistreated, starved, Beaten or destroyed any more than any man or woman Deserves to be beaten and mistreated and abused and starved and destroyed Wow God takes care of the animals as well Listen to me.

[John Weaver] Let me say it like this when we treat God's creation with contempt We treat God with contempt when we disrespect God's creation We disrespect God There are three reasons in the Bible why the lives of animals may be taken. We may take an animal's life for food. God has given animals to us to eat. There's no problem with that. We may take the lives of animals in self-defense.

[John Weaver] I know men who were attacked by Deer, a buck. In fact, one man was killed in Texas by a buck. I've known several people who were attacked by animals. When you are attacked, yes, you may defend yourself. God gives animals to us for food. God gives us the right of self-defense. And thirdly, of course, and that is if they're hindering dominion. If rabbits are eating up my garden, I might shoot the rabbits because I want my garden.

[John Weaver] Now, I'm not going to just let the rabbits lie. I don't eat them, but I will give them somebody who does eat them. So the point being, here are three reasons why animal life can be taken based upon God's terms, because if those animals are hindering dominion, then they may be rightly destroyed. I want you to notice this. I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 22, and look, if you would please, at verses 6 and 7.

[John Weaver] This is an astounding thing. Deuteronomy 22, verses 6 and 7. There are three reasons in the Bible where God promises long life. One of them, of course, you know, and that's obedience to parents. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, honor thy father and thy mother, that your days may be long upon the earth. Okay, right. Sure. And whether you know it or not, another reason that God promises long life is in relationship to money, whether we're honest or not. But here's another reason. Look in Deuteronomy, chapter 22, at verses 6 and 7. The Bible says, If a bird's nest chants to be before thee in the way in any tree or on the ground, whether they be young ones or eggs, or the dam, the female sitting upon the young or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the young. But thou shalt anywise let the dam go and take the young to thee, that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest prolong thy days." Did you see that?

[John Weaver] Why would you let the dam go? Because if you take the dam, the young are going to die as well. God says, no, if you're going to eat them, you take the young, you let the female, you let the mama go. She can have more babies, that's no problem. But notice it with the latter part, that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest prolong thy days.

[John Weaver] In other words, God promises long life based upon how we treat animals, how we are honest with our money, and how we honor our fathers and our mothers. Those are the three promises for long life in the Bible.

[John Weaver] Now, so God says to Jonah, no, Jonah, you're concerned more about your comfort than you are the people of Assyria. Now, let me just show you what we're to learn from the book of Jonah. I've got seven things down, okay? Recapping the other three messages as well as this one, first of all, The Word of God teaches us that we cannot run from God. And I explained what that meant in Jonah chapter 1. The second one is this. God knows exactly what it's going to take to break us and bring us in submission and obedience. Like I said earlier, when God got through with Jonah, he might have smelled a lot like fish, but he felt a whole lot more like preaching. God knew exactly what it would take to break Jonah. He knows exactly what it will take to break us. The third one is this, God desires repentance and faith. And God certainly gives second opportunities. The fourth one is this, we should be more concerned about God's will than our will and our comforts.

[John Weaver] The fifth one is this, it is God who determines our ministry. And number six, we must learn to honor His creation and not abuse it and not misuse it. Number seven, It does us no good to be angry with God. We should be angry with ourselves and our sin, but we should never, ever find fault with God. For God doeth all things well. And whatever God does, He does for our good and for His glory. And we have to honor Him and submit to Him. There's so much in the book of Jonah, and there's so much for you and I to learn and apply to our lives.

[John Weaver] Lord willing, next week, I want to bring a message that I think will probably startle you, and it'll bring you more information on Assyria. It may really surprise you. Although it's not dealing in the book of Jonah, it will surprise you. Well, let's pray. Father, thank You again for the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the truth. Lord, help us to learn. Help us, Lord, to be students of Thy Word and apply Thy Word to our lives. And help us not, Lord, to commit the same sins and errors that others have committed, which, Lord, You revealed for our benefit, that we might not be critical and angry with Thee.

[John Weaver] Thou art a God of love. is love. And Lord, we love Thee today and we submit to Thee. We ask, Lord, that You would teach us and build us up in the most holy faith. In Thy name we pray. Amen.

[John Weaver] ♪

The Displeased Prophet - Jonah Series - Part 4 of 4

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	1dZLC2LM-9c
Subject	New Testament Studies
Course	Romans: Sin, Judgment, and Gospel Foundations: Praying Against the Wicked
Genre	Sermon
Date	2024-12-01
Dictation Name
Book	Book 137: Romans: Sin, Judgment, and Gospel Foundations - Volume 2 — Chapter 39
Source Timed Segments	93

Formatted Transcript

Introduction: The Displeased Prophet

Jonah is exceedingly angry that God spared Nineveh. The message explores why Jonah was angry and what we can learn from his attitude.

Read all of that chapter, it's a very short chapter, 11 verses. And this will be the final message on Jonah, at least for a while. Jonah chapter 4, beginning there with verse 1. The title of the message is "The Displeased Prophet." The displeased prophet. Jonah chapter 4 verse 1:

Scripture Reading — Jonah 4:1-11

"But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. And he prayed unto the Lord and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying when I was yet in my country?"

The Danger of Bitterness and Anger Toward God

Weaver asks if we have ever been angry with God, noting that bitterness defiles many and does not change God's providence.

So here's a good question. Think about this. Have you ever been mad at God? Have you ever been displeased with the providence of God in your life? Have you gone through tests and trials and afflictions and thought to yourself, "I don't deserve this"? Well, the truth of the matter is, you did deserve it. And actually, you deserve even worse. God was just merciful unto you and did not give you that which you really deserved.

Recently, I saw a headline out of WALB, which is a TV station in Albany, Georgia. But I read the headline on the internet. And it was concerning a wreck. And the headline was this: "No one deserves to die like this." Someone died in that wreck. I do not know who. I did not say at that particular time. But I can assure you the family who lost the loved one in that wreck was certainly mad at God and displeased with the providence of God in that individual's life. And the truth is, yes, he did deserve to die like that.

In fact, he deserved even worse. It's never a joyous experience for a family to lose a loved one. I understand that. But we have to understand also that we're sinners and that we are going to die. So Jonah is one of these individuals who is exceedingly critical and angry with God.

Now, before you condemn Jonah, and his bitterness and resentment and anger, you have to examine your own life. So let me ask you a question. Have you ever been upset with God enough to voice your anger? Now Jonah certainly did. He voiced it very fully and freely. But the truth of the matter is most of us would never ever voice our anger and our resentment and our bitterness at God. But although we would not say what Jonah said, and we would not necessarily act the way Jonah acted, the truth of the matter is that we would display our anger not only in our attitude, but in our disposition as well. I've known Christians that have become angry with God at the loss of a husband, a wife, a child.

In fact, I had an uncle who lost his wife at something like 55, 56 years. And he was exceedingly critical and angry with God because he lost his wife. And the truth of the matter is, he died as well shortly thereafter. So I'm just simply saying, there is not one family that has not been touched by death. There's not one family that has not lost a loved one. So Jonah here is exceedingly angry.

So here's a few questions that we can ask in light of the title of this message, "The Displeased Prophet." Have you ever been angry with God? My next question would be this. Did it do you any good to be angry with God? Did it change his providence? Did it stop him from accomplishing his purpose? And the answer, of course, is absolutely not. And so I could ask this question.

Who then suffered because of your anger, your resentment, and your bitterness? Certainly it was not God. It was you. And not only it was you, it was probably others who suffered because of you. Let me show you. If you would hold Jonah chapter 4, but I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of Hebrews chapter 12, Hebrews chapter 12. And let's begin reading there with verse 15, Hebrews chapter 12 and verse 15. Look, if you would, what God says specifically concerning bitterness. Watch. Hebrews chapter 12 and verse 15. God says, "Looking diligently, lest any man fail of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled."

"Lest there be any fornicator or profane person as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright." But note, if you would, he talks in verse 15 about the root of bitterness. And he said, that root of bitterness will spring up and trouble you. And then he says, "and thereby many be defiled." So bitterness and resentment will not only eat you alive, it will spread to other people like a canker and affect them as well.

God's Sovereignty and Our Response

God is sovereign and does all His pleasure. We must trust that His will is best, even when we don't understand it.

And no one can hinder Him, thwart Him, overthrow Him, or stop Him. Because God is sovereign and God is God. That's what the psalmist said in Psalm 115 in verse 3:

Scripture Reading — Psalm 115:3

"But our God is in the heavens. He does whatsoever He pleases."

So God's the only one that can really do as He pleases. And then, of course, in Isaiah 46 and verse 10, he said, "declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times, the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand and I will do all of my pleasure."

Now, we have to come to the realization that God's will is absolutely best for us. We may not understand it. We may not like it. We may not necessarily agree with it, but we have to bow and say, yes, God's will is absolutely the best for us. And let me clear up something right now. Each one of us have suffered some more than others. Each one has been through tests, trials, afflictions.

Why Jonah Was Angry

Jonah knew God would be merciful to the Assyrians, Israel's enemies, and he wanted them destroyed. This parallels Elisha's grief over Hazael.

And by the way, the word "angry" here is the Hebrew word "charah," which literally means to be hot, to be furious, to burn, to become angry, to be kindled and to work oneself into vexation. So Jonah is not someone who's just a little ticked. Jonah is someone who is exceedingly furious against God. So why was Jonah angry? Well, the answer is because God had mercy on the Assyrians. As I pointed out in the first message, the Assyrians were enemies of God's people. And by the way, if the Lord allows us to live and I get to preach next Sunday, you will find out something very informative about the Assyrians, something that most of us have not even considered at this particular time. But the truth of the matter is, Jonah knew exactly that which the Assyrians were going to do to Israel, and he did not want the Assyrians to attack Israel and destroy Israel.

And so, therefore, he wanted their destruction. He wanted their doom. If you will turn in your Bibles to 2 Kings chapter 8, 2 Kings chapter 8, I'll give you a good parallel. This is almost the way Elisha felt when he was talking to Hazael. And notice, if you would, what Elisha did and how he composed himself until, basically, he was ashamed. So in 2 Kings chapter 8, beginning there with verse 7, look at this. 2 Kings chapter 8 and verse 7: "And Elisha came to Damascus, and Ben-Hadad, the king of Syria, was sick."

Scripture Reading — 2 Kings 8:7-15

"And it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither. And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go meet the man of God, and inquire of the Lord by him, saying, Shall I recover this disease?"

So Ben-Hadad only asked one question. He wants to know one thing. Will he recover? Now watch verse 9:

Scripture Reading — 2 Kings 8:7-15

"So Hazael went to meet him and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, 40 camels' burdens and came and stood before him."

I don't really know how much you can pack on a camel. I'm sure it's pretty hefty. So this is probably almost a semi-truckload of goods, or a half a truckload of goods, that are being brought just so Elisha can answer this question whether Ben-Hadad will recover. Now watch verse 10:

Scripture Reading — 2 Kings 8:7-15

"And Elisha said to him, Go, send him. Thou mayest certainly recover. Howbeit the Lord has showed me that he shall surely die."

Now look, if you would, at verse 11. Look at verse 11, 2 Kings chapter 8:

Scripture Reading — 2 Kings 8:7-15

"And he settled his countenance steadfastly until he was ashamed, and the man of God wept. And Hazael said, Why weepeth my Lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou will do to the children of Israel."

"Their strongholds will thou set on fire, and their young men will thou slay with a sword, and will dash their children, rip up their women with child. And Hazael said, But what is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, The Lord hath showed me that thou shalt be king over Syria. So he departed from Elisha, and came to his master, and said unto him, What said Elisha to thee? And he answered, He told me that thou shouldest surely recover. And it came to pass on the morrow that he took a thick cloth and dipped it in water and spread it upon his face, so that he died, Ben-Hadad, and Hazael reigned in his stead."

Now, notice if you would, in Jonah chapter 4, Jonah's exceedingly angry because God has spared the Assyrians. And the reason being, he knew exactly what the Assyrians were going to do to Israel. Just like now, Elisha, he knows what Ben-Hadad is going to do to his people as well. And the Bible says that Elisha settled his countenance steadfast until he was ashamed, and the man of God wept. Hazael said, "Why in the world are you weeping?" He said, "I know what you're going to do to the children of Israel. You're going to rip up their women with child. You're going to slay their young men." And Hazael said, "But what is thy servant, a dog, that he should do this great thing?" By the way, that is exactly what Hazael did. He went, and of course, murdered Ben-Hadad the king, and he reigned in his stead, and he did exactly that which Elisha said he was going to do. So Jonah knew that the Assyrians then were going to be attacking Israel. I've told you about the book of Nahum, and the book of Habakkuk, how they also dealt with the Assyrians and Babylonians as well. But I'm just simply pointing out, they knew exactly what is happening. So Jonah now in Jonah chapter 4 is exceedingly angry. So I want you to go back to Jonah chapter 4 and look at it, if you would, please. Book of Jonah chapter 4.

The Necessity of Preaching

God ordains both the end and the means. Preaching is the means by which God saves, as seen in Romans 10 and 1 Corinthians 1.

Well, let me answer that with this. God has not only ordained the end, He has also ordained the means to the end. So God has not only ordained that which is the end over here, but everything that goes to that end as well. So I want you to turn to two passages in the New Testament. The first one is 1 Corinthians chapter 1, and the second one is Romans chapter 10. So if you will turn there, holding Jonah chapter 4, and if you'll look first of all to the book of 1 Corinthians chapter 1. Look, if you would, what the Apostle Paul writes, and let's begin reading there with verse 20.

The scripture asks, "Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?" Now watch carefully, "For after that in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." What was the means of achieving salvation? Preaching.

Now, let me show you. If you will turn back a few pages to the book of Romans chapter 10. And let's begin there with verse 13. Romans 10, verse 13. Here's a verse that most people can quote, but we usually take it out of context. Romans 10, verse 13: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Wow. Well, that's good. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." But I want you to look at verse 14: "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?" What precedes calling?

The answer is faith, belief. Calling does not save you. Calling just demonstrates the faith that God has given you. You're not going to call on someone in whom you do not believe. You're not. Now watch it. He said in verse 13, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Now watch verse 14: "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?" Okay, you must believe before you call. Now watch this: "And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?" Now, hang on.

So, if I tell you about my youngest daughter, you are hearing about her. But if she is in this room speaking, you hear her, right? So I want you to notice, if you would, verse 14:

Scripture Reading — Romans 10:13-15

"How then shall they call on Him whom they have not believed?"

You must believe before you call.

Scripture Reading — Romans 10:13-15

"And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?"

Not heard about, but heard. What did Jesus Christ say in John chapter 10? "I know my sheep, and I call them by name, and they follow me." It's just like when Mary went to the tomb. She turned about, and she saw our Lord, and she supposed Him to be the gardener. And she said, "Sir, if thou hast borne him hence, tell me, and I'll take him away." And all he said was, "Mary."

And she said, "Rabboni, Master." She instantly knew him when he called her name. Now watch this: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Yes. "How then shall they call on him whom they have not believed?" You must believe in order to call. "Now shall they believe in him whom they have not heard?" You must hear Christ in order to believe. And then he said, "And how shall they hear without a preacher?" "And how shall they preach except they be sent?" So God then sends his preachers to preach his word. And he speaks to his people through the preaching and teaching of the word of God. So obviously, clearly, yes, it was necessary for Jonah to go and preach in Nineveh. God sent him. God told him he needed to go. Now here's the truth. Listen to this. And I can show you this in the Bible. Whenever God is going to have compassion upon a people, He always sends them a preacher. Whenever God is going to judge a people, He always removes the preacher. Or at least silences the preacher. When you stop and think about what is going on in our country today, and especially in Christendom today, you think of the churches that cannot find a pastor. Every week, I see churches asking for and begging for preachers from all over this country. There is an email that I get and every week they have churches asking for pastors. And I don't doubt that some of those churches probably ran some of their pastors off.

God's Compassion and Judgment Through Preachers

When God has compassion, He sends a preacher; when He judges, He removes or silences the preacher. Examples from Judges, 2 Chronicles, and Amos.

Now let me show you something. It's very interesting. I want you to hold Jonah chapter 4, but I want you to go back in your Bibles, if you would, to the book of Judges chapter 6. Judges chapter 6. This is an astounding passage. I want to read it just to show you the absolute devastation that was happening in the land by the Midianites and the Amalekites. So look in Judges chapter 6 and look beginning there with verse 1.

Scripture Reading — Judges 6:1-10

"And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years. And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. And because of the Midianites, the children of Israel made them the dens, which are in the mountains, and caves and strongholds."

In other words, they were driven out of the cities, they were driven out of their homes. So they're living in the mountains and the caves. Now watch verse 3:

Scripture Reading — Judges 6:1-10

"And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them. And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass. For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude."

Look now,

Scripture Reading — Judges 6:1-10

"For both they and their camels were without number, and they entered into the land to destroy it. And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites. And the children of Israel cried unto the Lord."

Now look at this. Look at the devastation in verses 1 through 5. Now Israel is crying to the Lord because of all the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the destruction of the land. Verse 7:

Scripture Reading — Judges 6:1-10

"And it came to pass when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord because of the Midianites,"

look at verse 8,

Scripture Reading — Judges 6:1-10

"that the Lord sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I brought you up out of Egypt and I brought you forth out of the house of bondage." "And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of all that oppressed you and drave them out from before you and gave you their land. And I said unto you, I'm the Lord your God. Fear not the gods of the Amorites, whose land you dwell, but you have not obeyed my voice. And there came an angel of the Lord and sat under an oak, which was in Ophrah."

That then talks about Joash. This is on Gideon when he's called there, but watch. He said,

Scripture Reading — Judges 6:1-10

"I am the Lord your God, fear not the gods."

I told you that, but note if you would please go back, notice if you would, verse 7:

Scripture Reading — Judges 6:1-10

"And it came to pass when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord because of the Midianites, the Lord sent a prophet."

Why didn't God send a warrior? Why didn't God send a captain? Why didn't God send a great military leader? He didn't. He sent a preacher. And if you read on, God is saying this, "I'm not even going to deliver you unless you repent and come back to me. And if you're not going to repent, you call on those gods that you've chosen, let them deliver you." So if God is going to have compassion upon a people, God always sends a preacher.

Now, if you will turn right over to 2 Chronicles, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, and look in chapter 36, watch this, and verse 15. 2 Chronicles 36 and verse 15. Here it is in black and white: "And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers," that would be the prophets, "rising up in times and sending," why? "Because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place." So God sent his preachers, why? Because he had compassion. But look what happened in verse 16: "But they," that is the people, "mocked the messengers of God," and be the preachers, "and despised his words," that's singular, that's God's words, "and misused his prophets until the wrath of the Lord arose against the people till there was no remedy." So when God has compassion on people, he sends them his preachers. When God judges a people, he removes his preachers.

You remember how Elijah was in a foreign land away from Israel for three years. There was a drought for three years. What did he say to Ahab? "As the Lord God liveth, for whom I stand, there shall not be rain nor dew these years, but according to my word." And the drought in that time was just nothing more than a physical symbol of a spiritual reality, because the man of God had been taken out of the land. And so for three years, they had no word from God. Now, when he came to Jeremiah, God left him in the land, but God shut his mouth. When you get to Jeremiah chapter 7, God said to Jeremiah, "Pray not for this people." Jeremiah wanted to pray for them. Hmm. Jeremiah chapter 11, God says, "Pray not for this people." When you get to Jeremiah chapter 14, God said, "All right, Jeremiah, you want to pray for them? I won't let you pray for them. But here's what you pray."

"You pray that I'll destroy them for that's exactly what I'm going to do." So God took Elijah out of the land, but God left Jeremiah in the land, but he just shut his mouth. He said, "No, I'm not going to allow you to pray for these people. No." Now, I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of Amos, Hosea, Joel, Amos. Notice if you would, Hosea, Joel, Amos, and look in Amos chapter 8, if you would, and let's begin reading there, verse 11. Look what God says. We're talking about when God has compassion upon a people, he sends them a preacher. When God judges a people, he either removes a preacher or shuts their mouth. So, Amos chapter 8, verse 11, God says, "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, not a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord."

"And they shall wander from sea to sea and from the north, even to the east, and they shall run to and fro and seek the word of the Lord and shall not find it." So God said there will be a famine. A famine of hearing the word of God.

The Gourd and the Worm: A Lesson in Priorities

God uses a gourd to comfort Jonah, then a worm to destroy it, exposing Jonah's selfish concern for his own comfort over the people of Nineveh.

Lord, Doest thou well to be angry?" So he's really angry. "And Jonah went out of the city and sat on the east side of the city and there made him a booth and sat under it in the shadow or in the shade till he might see what would become of the city." Now watch this: "And the Lord God prepared a gourd and made it come up over Jonah that it might be a shadow or shade over his head to deliver him from his grief." It's astounding how merciful God is. Jonah didn't deserve the gourd, but God sent it to spare him from his grief, deliver him from his grief. "So Jonah was exceeding glad for the gourd." But watch verse 7: "But God prepared a worm when the morning rose, and the next day it smote the gourd that it withered." Ah, now watch verse 9: "And it came to pass, when the sun did rise, that God prepared a vehement east wind, and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, till he fainted, and he wished himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live."

Now Jonah still wanted to see the destruction of Nineveh. So he goes out on the east side and he builds him a little brush arbor, probably made of sticks and leaves and branches, anything that would basically shield himself from the sun. And he's sitting there just hoping that somehow, some way God's going to change his purpose. And instead of sparing the Assyrians, God is going to end up killing those Assyrians as well. Now you've got to remember, Nineveh was a city of three days' journey. And so Jonah started on one end and went to the other preaching, "Yet 40 days and Nineveh shall be overthrown." So undoubtedly he's tired, walking three days straight preaching. And now he's under this little booth and he's waiting there to see what God is going to actually do to Nineveh. And so God then causes this gourd to grow, which has big, broad leaves, which shades them and cools them down immensely.

I don't know if you ever noticed this or not. I notice it frequently because I have a creek, swampy area on our land. And it can be 97 degrees on the hill. And you can go down under all those shade trees around that little water. It'll be 80-something. It's a remarkable difference. And so God has created this gourd, and it shades him and cools him, and he's really thankful for that. But then the next morning, God prepares this worm, and the worm just eats the root of the gourd, and the gourd dies. Now, if you don't think that can happen that quickly, you let a tomato worm get into your tomato plants. Or you let any kind of worm underground get a hold of the root of your plant and it's going to die almost the same day. And so Jonah now has lost the gourd.

And look at the question. Look at what God asked. He asked Jonah in verse 9: "And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd?" Wow. And look at Jonah's answer: "And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death." Oh, my soul. You know, Jonah appears to be the kind of child that you'd really love to slap. And when I say that, I mean slap some sense into him. How can you be so absolutely stupid, you know? Oh, my soul. Look at this.

He has an attitude that is the height of unthankfulness, the height of ungratefulness, and the height of just pure sorriness and a rebellious attitude. Jonah's upset and Jonah's angry over this gourd and the fact that the worm ate the gourd. And he believes now that he has an absolute right to be angry even unto death. Wow! I know some people like that. I know even a few preachers like that. It's insane.

Now, I want you to watch this because we're going to make the applications. Look at verses 10 and 11: "Then said the Lord, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, which thou hast not labored, neither made it sit to grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. And shouldest not I spare Nineveh, that great city wherein are more than six score thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand, and also much cattle." Now Jonah had a concern for that gourd. He didn't plant it. He didn't water it. He didn't fertilize it. It was something that was exceedingly temporary. Let me show you what he was concerned about. It was not just a concern for the gourd. It was a concern for his own comfort. His own pleasure. He had no concern for the inhabitants of Nineveh. But he did have concern for his own comfort. He had no concern for the animals of Nineveh. And if you'll notice what God said in verse 11, and I pointed out in the first message, that Nineveh was the greatest city at that era, in that era of time.

Ministries of Reconciliation and Condemnation

Preachers do not choose their ministry. Some are given a ministry of reconciliation, others of condemnation. Faithfulness, not numbers, is what counts.

Now look, "They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains and burn incense upon the hills under oaks and poplars and elms." Why? "Because the shadow thereof is good." In other words, they want comfort. They'd rather be comfortable in their idolatry. Wow! This is exactly what God is pointing out to Jonah. You're more concerned about your personal comforts than you are the people or the animals that happen to be in Nineveh. Now, here's another truth that we have to learn from Jonah chapter 4.

This is very disconcerting to some folks, but it's still the absolute truth. And that is this, that preachers do not get to choose the type of ministry that they prefer or that they desire. God is the one that ordains their ministry for them. Now hang on, there is a ministry of reconciliation and there is a ministry of condemnation. Jonah was given a ministry of reconciliation, but he really wanted a ministry of condemnation. Isaiah and Jeremiah were given a ministry of condemnation, but they really wanted a ministry of reconciliation. What about Noah? Do you realize that Noah preached 120 years and never had one convert?

And the Bible says in 2 Peter 2 and verse 5 that he was a preacher of righteousness. Let me show you. If you will turn back in your Bibles to Jeremiah chapter 1, Jeremiah chapter 1, let me just show you very quickly that God has given Jeremiah a ministry of condemnation. Jeremiah chapter 1, notice if you would verse 10, look at what God says. Jeremiah 1 verse 10. God says,

Scripture Reading — Jeremiah 1:10, 15-19

"See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms to root out and to pull down and to destroy and to throw down and to build and to plant."

He had to do three times as much destruction as he did building and planting. Now skip down to verse 15. Look at this: "For lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the earth, saith the Lord, and they shall come. And they shall set every one his throne at the entering into the gates of Jerusalem," that is, all these heathen are going to conquer Jerusalem, "and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah. And I will utter my judgments against them, touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me and have burned incense unto other gods, and worship the works of their own hands. Thou therefore gird up thy loins and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee. Be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them. For behold, I've made thee this day a defense city and an iron pillar and a brazen wall against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, against the people thereof, and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee, for I'm with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee." What's he saying to Jeremiah? Nobody's going to listen to you. I'm going to end up destroying them. And when you get to Jeremiah chapter 9 in verse 1, Jeremiah says, "Oh, I wish that my head were waters and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain daughter of my people." He said, "I want to weep all the time." He was a man full of compassion.

He's known as the weeping prophet. And yet God gave him a ministry of condemnation, not a ministry of reconciliation. If you'll turn right on back to Isaiah chapter 6. Just back a few pages, Isaiah chapter 6, and look if you would please, beginning there with verse 8. This is where God calls Isaiah into the ministry. Isaiah chapter 6, look in verse 8: "Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. And he said, Go and tell this people and hear you indeed, but understand not and see you indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat and make their ears heavy and shut their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and convert and be healed." God said, "I want you to go. Yeah, these people are going to listen to you. They're not going to see. They're not going to hear. They're not going to understand."

Now, Isaiah finally asked this question in verse 11:

Scripture Reading — Isaiah 6:8-11

"Then said I, Lord, how long?"

That is, how long do I have to go to these people? And he answered,

Scripture Reading — Isaiah 6:8-11

"Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant and the houses without man and the land be utterly desolate."

In other words, I'm not going to let him hear you. You're going to have a ministry of condemnation. Isaiah wanted a ministry of reconciliation.

So did Jeremiah, but they didn't have it. Now, God does not give every preacher a ministry of Charles Haddon Spurgeon. He does not give every preacher a ministry of George Whitefield. He doesn't give everybody a ministry of the Apostle Paul. No, he gives some a ministry of condemnation and others a ministry of reconciliation.

Now, I want you to turn in your Bibles to 2 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians and look in chapter 2. And I'm going to show you, in this chapter, the ministry of reconciliation and the ministry of condemnation. So here it is. Look at this. 2 Corinthians 2, verse 14. The Apostle Paul says, "Now thanks be unto God, which always causes us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place." Now look what he says in verse 15: "For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ in them that are saved and in them that perish." Now, the sweet savor refers to the incense and to the smoke that came up out of those offerings in the Old Testament. So he says, "For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ in them that are saved and in them that perish."

"To the one we are the savor of death unto death, and to the other the savor of life unto life, and who is sufficient for these things?" So here it is. Let me explain this. Let's suppose there happens to be in this room today 100 lost men and women, none saved. And I preach as hard as I can, and God blesses the Word, and the Holy Spirit works in their hearts. And let's just say all 100 are regenerated and converted by God. And they're all praising the Lord. You know what God does? Here's what God does. My son is preached. And I'm satisfied. If we take that same 100 unsafe men and women, and I preach as hard as I can. And I preach Jesus Christ. And every one of them raises their fist and clenched their teeth and say, "We'll not have this man to reign over us." And they try to run me off and run me out of town. You know what God says? My son is preached. And I'm satisfied. One would be a ministry of reconciliation, the other ministry of condemnation. That's what he said.

"We're the savor of life unto life and death unto death. And who's sufficient for these things?" Only God. Only God. Now, I want you to understand this. It is faithfulness that counts, not greatness. Noah was faithful for 120 years, never had one convert. And God put him on the heroes of faith. Isaiah and Jeremiah, they're the heroes of faith. They never had any converts. It's faithfulness that counts. There are preachers that you and I have never heard of. There are Christians that you and I have never heard of and probably never will hear of that have led faithful, consistent, godly Christian lives. And God counts them as successful.

God's Care for All Creation

God is concerned for animals as well as humans. We must honor God's creation and not treat it with contempt.

But there were also children. There were also animals. And God said, "and all the cattle." You know, here's an astounding thing for me. That God is concerned about animals. He's not only concerned about humans, he's concerned about animals as well. Stop and think about this. Animals are just as much God's creation as we are. And God takes care of animals. God feeds them. God protects and provides for their needs as well.

So look in Psalm 104, and let's begin reading there with verse 10. Psalm 104, verse 10: "He sent the springs into the valleys which run among the hills. Why? They give drink to every beast of the field. The wild asses quench their thirst. By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches. He watereth the hills from his chambers. The earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works."

"He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, an herb for the service of man, that he may bring forth food out of the earth, and wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart. The trees of the Lord are full of sap, the cedars of Lebanon which he hath planted. Where the birds make their nests is for the stork, the fir trees are her house." "The high hills are refuge for the wild goats, and the rocks for the conies. He appointed the moon for seasons, the sun knoweth his going down. Thou makest darkness, and it is night wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth." Look at this: "The young lions roar after their prey and seek their meat from God. The sun arises, they gather themselves together and lay them down in their dens. Man goes forth into his work and to his labor until the evening." Then he says, "O Lord, how manifold are thy works and wisdom thou hast made them all. The earth is full of thy riches. Praise the Lord." Listen to me. No animal deserves to be abused, mistreated, starved, beaten or destroyed any more than any man or woman deserves to be beaten and mistreated and abused and starved and destroyed. Wow. God takes care of the animals as well. Listen to me.

Let me say it like this: when we treat God's creation with contempt, we treat God with contempt. When we disrespect God's creation, we disrespect God. There are three reasons in the Bible why the lives of animals may be taken. We may take an animal's life for food. God has given animals to us to eat. There's no problem with that. We may take the lives of animals in self-defense.

I know men who were attacked by deer, a buck. In fact, one man was killed in Texas by a buck. I've known several people who were attacked by animals. When you are attacked, yes, you may defend yourself. God gives animals to us for food. God gives us the right of self-defense. And thirdly, of course, and that is if they're hindering dominion. If rabbits are eating up my garden, I might shoot the rabbits because I want my garden.

Now, I'm not going to just let the rabbits lie. I don't eat them, but I will give them somebody who does eat them. So the point being, here are three reasons why animal life can be taken based upon God's terms, because if those animals are hindering dominion, then they may be rightly destroyed. I want you to notice this. I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 22, and look, if you would please, at verses 6 and 7. This is an astounding thing. Deuteronomy 22, verses 6 and 7. There are three reasons in the Bible where God promises long life. One of them, of course, you know, and that's obedience to parents. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, honor thy father and thy mother, that your days may be long upon the earth." Okay, right. Sure. And whether you know it or not, another reason that God promises long life is in relationship to money, whether we're honest or not. But here's another reason. Look in Deuteronomy, chapter 22, at verses 6 and 7. The Bible says,

Scripture Reading — Deuteronomy 22:6-7

"If a bird's nest chance to be before thee in the way in any tree or on the ground, whether they be young ones or eggs, or the dam, the female sitting upon the young or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the young. But thou shalt in anywise let the dam go and take the young to thee, that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest prolong thy days."

Did you see that?

Why would you let the dam go? Because if you take the dam, the young are going to die as well. God says, no, if you're going to eat them, you take the young, you let the female, you let the mama go. She can have more babies, that's no problem. But notice it with the latter part, "that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest prolong thy days." In other words, God promises long life based upon how we treat animals, how we are honest with our money, and how we honor our fathers and our mothers. Those are the three promises for long life in the Bible.

Seven Lessons from Jonah

Weaver summarizes seven lessons: we cannot run from God; God knows how to break us; God desires repentance; we should prioritize God's will; God determines our ministry; we must honor creation; and it does no good to be angry with God.

Now, so God says to Jonah, "No, Jonah, you're concerned more about your comfort than you are the people of Assyria." Now, let me just show you what we're to learn from the book of Jonah. I've got seven things down, okay? Recapping the other three messages as well as this one, first of all, the Word of God teaches us that we cannot run from God. And I explained what that meant in Jonah chapter 1. The second one is this: God knows exactly what it's going to take to break us and bring us in submission and obedience. Like I said earlier, when God got through with Jonah, he might have smelled a lot like fish, but he felt a whole lot more like preaching. God knew exactly what it would take to break Jonah. He knows exactly what it will take to break us. The third one is this: God desires repentance and faith. And God certainly gives second opportunities. The fourth one is this: we should be more concerned about God's will than our will and our comforts.

The fifth one is this: it is God who determines our ministry. And number six, we must learn to honor His creation and not abuse it and not misuse it. Number seven, it does us no good to be angry with God. We should be angry with ourselves and our sin, but we should never, ever find fault with God. For God doeth all things well. And whatever God does, He does for our good and for His glory. And we have to honor Him and submit to Him. There's so much in the book of Jonah, and there's so much for you and I to learn and apply to our lives.

Study Guide

Major Themes

The Danger of Anger and Bitterness Toward God

Summary: Anger at God's providence is futile and harmful, defiling oneself and others. Jonah's anger is a warning against such bitterness.

Evidence: Weaver asks, 'Have you ever been mad at God?' and cites Hebrews 12:15 about the root of bitterness defiling many.

God's Absolute Sovereignty

Summary: God does whatever He pleases, and no one can thwart His purposes. His will is always best for us.

Evidence: Weaver quotes Psalm 115:3 and Isaiah 46:10, emphasizing that God's counsel shall stand.

The Necessity of Preaching as God's Ordained Means

Summary: God has ordained preaching as the means to bring about salvation. Jonah had to preach even though God planned to show mercy.

Evidence: Weaver references 1 Corinthians 1:21 and Romans 10:13-15 to show that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God through a preacher.

Misplaced Priorities: Comfort Over Compassion

Summary: Jonah cared more about his own comfort (the gourd) than the lives of 120,000 people in Nineveh. This reflects a common human tendency.

Evidence: God's rebuke in Jonah 4:10-11 contrasts Jonah's pity for the gourd with God's concern for the city.

Faithfulness Over Success in Ministry

Summary: God does not measure success by numbers but by faithfulness. Preachers like Noah, Isaiah, and Jeremiah were faithful despite lack of converts.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'It is faithfulness that counts, not greatness,' and cites 1 Corinthians 4:2.

God's Compassionate Care for All Creation

Summary: God cares for animals and expects humans to treat His creation with respect. Mistreating creation is contempt toward God.

Evidence: Weaver reads Psalm 104:10-24 and Deuteronomy 22:6-7, showing God's provision for animals and a promise of long life for treating them well.

Key Arguments

Anger at God is futile and self-destructive

Summary: Being angry with God does not change His providence; it only harms the angry person and those around them.

Evidence: Weaver asks, 'Did it do you any good to be angry with God? Did it change his providence?' and answers, 'Absolutely not.'

God's will is always best, even when we don't understand it

Summary: We must trust that God's purposes are for our good and His glory, even in trials.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'We have to come to the realization that God's will is absolutely best for us.'

Preaching is the divinely appointed means of salvation

Summary: God not only ordains the end (salvation) but also the means (preaching). Jonah had to preach for Nineveh to repent.

Evidence: Weaver explains Romans 10:14: 'How shall they hear without a preacher?'

God sends or removes preachers based on His compassion or judgment

Summary: When God intends to show mercy, He sends a preacher; when He intends judgment, He removes or silences the preacher.

Evidence: Weaver cites Judges 6:7-8, 2 Chronicles 36:15-16, and Amos 8:11.

Jonah's anger reveals a selfish concern for personal comfort

Summary: Jonah's pity for the gourd, which he did not labor for, exposes his lack of compassion for the people of Nineveh.

Evidence: Weaver points out Jonah 4:10-11, where God contrasts Jonah's concern for the gourd with His own concern for the city.

Ministry is determined by God, not personal preference

Summary: Preachers do not choose whether they have a ministry of reconciliation or condemnation; God assigns it.

Evidence: Weaver contrasts Jonah's desired ministry of condemnation with Isaiah's and Jeremiah's ministries of condemnation, which they did not desire.

Faithfulness, not visible results, defines success

Summary: Noah preached 120 years without a convert, yet he is a hero of faith. God requires faithfulness, not numerical success.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'Success is not in numbers. Success is not in bigness. Success is in faithfulness.'

God's concern for animals reflects His character and our responsibility

Summary: God provides for animals and commands humane treatment. Mistreating animals is disrespecting God.

Evidence: Weaver reads Psalm 104 and Deuteronomy 22:6-7, noting God's care for animals and the promise of long life for treating them well.

Scripture References

Jonah 4:1-11

Context: The entire chapter is read and forms the basis of the sermon. Jonah's anger, the gourd, the worm, and God's final question.

Hebrews 12:15

Context: Used to warn about the root of bitterness that defiles many, applied to Jonah's anger.

Psalm 115:3

Context: Quoted to affirm God's sovereignty: 'Our God is in the heavens; he does whatsoever he pleases.'

Isaiah 46:10

Context: Cited to show God declares the end from the beginning and His counsel shall stand.

Lamentations 3:33

Context: Used to show God does not afflict willingly or grieve the children of men.

Matthew 7:11

Context: Quoted to illustrate that if evil men give good gifts, how much more will the Heavenly Father give good things.

2 Kings 8:7-15

Context: The story of Elisha and Hazael, paralleling Jonah's knowledge of future Assyrian cruelty.

1 Corinthians 1:20-21

Context: Used to show that God uses the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe.

Romans 10:13-15

Context: Explained to show the chain: calling requires belief, belief requires hearing, hearing requires a preacher, and preaching requires being sent.

John 10:3-4

Context: Referenced to illustrate that Christ's sheep hear His voice, as Mary recognized Jesus when He called her name.

Judges 6:1-10

Context: Read to show that when Israel cried out, God sent a prophet (preacher) before sending a deliverer.

2 Chronicles 36:15-16

Context: Cited to demonstrate that God sent messengers because He had compassion, but the people mocked them until there was no remedy.

Amos 8:11-12

Context: Quoted to show the famine of hearing the words of the Lord as a form of judgment.

Amos 6:1-6

Context: Read to illustrate people at ease in Zion, concerned with comfort but not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.

Hosea 4:12-13

Context: Cited to show people sacrificing under trees because the shadow was good, preferring comfort in idolatry.

Jeremiah 1:10, 15-19

Context: Read to show Jeremiah's ministry of condemnation: to root out, pull down, and destroy.

Isaiah 6:8-11

Context: Read to show Isaiah's commission to preach so that people would not understand, a ministry of condemnation.

2 Corinthians 2:14-16

Context: Explained to show that preachers are a savor of life unto life and death unto death, depending on the hearers' response.

Psalm 104:10-24

Context: Read to demonstrate God's provision for animals and all creation.

Deuteronomy 22:6-7

Context: Cited to show God's command to let the mother bird go, with a promise of long life, indicating God's care for animals.

Historical References

Assyrians as enemies of Israel

Context: Jonah knew the Assyrians would attack and destroy Israel, which is why he wanted them destroyed.

Elisha and Hazael (2 Kings 8)

Context: Elisha wept knowing the evil Hazael would do to Israel, similar to Jonah's knowledge of Assyrian cruelty.

Nahum and Habakkuk

Context: Mentioned as other prophets who dealt with the Assyrians and Babylonians.

Elijah's drought and removal from Israel

Context: Elijah was taken out of the land for three years, symbolizing a spiritual drought when the preacher is removed.

Jeremiah's silenced prayer

Context: God told Jeremiah not to pray for the people, and later to pray for their destruction, as a sign of judgment.

Noah's 120-year ministry without converts

Context: Noah preached righteousness for 120 years but had no converts, yet is listed among the heroes of faith.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon, George Whitefield, Apostle Paul

Context: Mentioned as examples of preachers with ministries of reconciliation, but not all preachers are given such ministries.

Russian baptism in freezing river

Context: A couple showed pictures of a Russian baptism where they broke ice to baptize converts, contrasting with modern comfort.

Important Quotes

But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.

Significance: This verse sets the theme of the message: Jonah's displeasure at God's mercy.

Have you ever been mad at God? Have you ever been displeased with the providence of God in your life?

Significance: Weaver challenges the congregation to examine their own hearts regarding anger toward God.

Lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.

Significance: Quoting Hebrews 12:15, Weaver warns that bitterness not only harms the individual but spreads to others.

Our God is in the heavens. He does whatsoever He pleases.

Significance: This quote from Psalm 115:3 underscores the sermon's emphasis on God's sovereignty.

I knew that thou art a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.

Significance: Jonah's own words reveal that he fled because he knew God would be merciful, highlighting his rebellious attitude.

It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

Significance: Weaver uses 1 Corinthians 1:21 to establish preaching as God's ordained means of salvation.

It is faithfulness that counts, not greatness.

Significance: Weaver summarizes the lesson that God values faithfulness over visible success in ministry.

Discussion Questions

Have you ever been angry with God over a difficult providence? How did that anger affect you and those around you?

Context: Weaver asks the congregation to examine their own hearts regarding anger toward God.

In what ways might bitterness take root in our lives, and how can we guard against it?

Context: Based on Hebrews 12:15, Weaver warns that bitterness defiles many.

How does understanding God's sovereignty help us trust Him in trials?

Context: Weaver emphasizes that God does all His pleasure and His will is best.

Why is preaching essential in God's plan of salvation? How should this shape our view of the church and evangelism?

Context: Weaver explains Romans 10 and 1 Corinthians 1, showing that faith comes by hearing the preached word.

What are some modern examples of being more concerned with personal comfort than with the spiritual or physical needs of others?

Context: Weaver contrasts Jonah's pity for the gourd with God's concern for Nineveh, and references Amos 6.

How should we measure success in ministry or Christian service? What does faithfulness look like in your context?

Context: Weaver argues that faithfulness, not numbers, is what God requires.

What does the Bible teach about our responsibility toward animals and creation? How can we apply this?

Context: Weaver reads Psalm 104 and Deuteronomy 22, showing God's care for animals and our duty to treat them well.

How can we cultivate a heart that rejoices in God's mercy toward others, even our enemies?

Context: Jonah was angry that God spared the Assyrians. Weaver challenges us to examine our own attitudes toward those we might consider undeserving of grace.

Applications

Examine your heart for anger and bitterness toward God

Summary: Weaver urges believers to honestly assess whether they harbor resentment against God's providence, as such bitterness harms oneself and others.

Evidence: Weaver asks, 'Have you ever been mad at God?' and warns that bitterness defiles many (Hebrews 12:15).

Trust God's sovereign will in all circumstances

Summary: Believers should submit to God's purposes, knowing that His will is always best, even when it involves suffering.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'We have to come to the realization that God's will is absolutely best for us.'

Value the preaching of God's Word as His ordained means of grace

Summary: Recognize that God uses preaching to save and sanctify, and therefore prioritize hearing and supporting faithful preaching.

Evidence: Weaver explains Romans 10:14, 'How shall they hear without a preacher?'

Prioritize compassion for people over personal comfort

Summary: Like Jonah, we can be more concerned with our own ease than with the spiritual and physical needs of others. We must cultivate God's heart of mercy.

Evidence: God's rebuke in Jonah 4:10-11 contrasts Jonah's pity for the gourd with His concern for Nineveh.

Be faithful in whatever ministry or calling God has given you

Summary: Success is not measured by visible results but by faithfulness to God's assignment, whether it seems fruitful or not.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'It is faithfulness that counts, not greatness,' citing Noah and Jeremiah.

Treat God's creation, including animals, with respect and care

Summary: Because God cares for animals and commands humane treatment, believers should reflect His character in how they treat all creatures.

Evidence: Weaver reads Psalm 104 and Deuteronomy 22:6-7, noting God's provision and the promise of long life for treating animals well.

Rejoice in God's mercy toward others, even enemies

Summary: Instead of being angry when God shows grace to those we dislike, we should align our hearts with His compassionate character.

Evidence: Jonah's anger at Nineveh's repentance is rebuked by God, who asks, 'Should not I spare Nineveh?'

Do not let anger at God fester; it changes nothing and only harms you

Summary: Weaver points out that being angry with God does not alter His providence but causes personal and relational damage.

Evidence: Weaver asks, 'Did it do you any good to be angry with God? Did it change his providence?' and answers, 'Absolutely not.'

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-06T03:51:33Z

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T16:29:27Z

Clean Transcript

The Displeased Prophet - Jonah Series - Part 4 of 4

Clean readable transcript. This view follows the Commentary.net cleaned segment text while preserving timestamps for audio follow-along.

Read all of that chapter, it's a very short chapter, 11 verses. And this will be the final message on Jonah, at least for a while. Jonah chapter 4, beginning there with verse 1. The title of the message is "The Displeased Prophet." The displeased prophet. Jonah chapter 4 verse 1: "But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. And he prayed unto the Lord and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying when I was yet in my country?"
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"Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish, for I knew that thou art a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil. Therefore now, O Lord, take I beseech thee my life from me, for it's better for me to die than to live. Then said the Lord, Doest thou well to be angry? So Jonah went out of the city and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth and sat under it in the shadow, until he might see what would become of the city. And the Lord God prepared a gourd and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow or shade over his head to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd. But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered. And it came to pass, when the sun did rise, that God prepared a vehement east wind, and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live."
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"And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry even unto death. Then said the Lord, Thou hast pity on the gourd for the which thou hast not laboured, neither made it sit to grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city wherein are more than six score thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand, and also much cattle?" Jonah is the only preacher that I know, or at least one of the few that I've ever known, that was displeased with the fact that his message was successful and blessed by God. Jonah, of course, was mad that God spared the Assyrians. He did not want them spared. He wanted them destroyed.
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So here's a good question. Think about this. Have you ever been mad at God? Have you ever been displeased with the providence of God in your life? Have you gone through tests and trials and afflictions and thought to yourself, "I don't deserve this"? Well, the truth of the matter is, you did deserve it. And actually, you deserve even worse. God was just merciful unto you and did not give you that which you really deserved.
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Recently, I saw a headline out of WALB, which is a TV station in Albany, Georgia. But I read the headline on the internet. And it was concerning a wreck. And the headline was this: "No one deserves to die like this." Someone died in that wreck. I do not know who. I did not say at that particular time. But I can assure you the family who lost the loved one in that wreck was certainly mad at God and displeased with the providence of God in that individual's life. And the truth is, yes, he did deserve to die like that.
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In fact, he deserved even worse. It's never a joyous experience for a family to lose a loved one. I understand that. But we have to understand also that we're sinners and that we are going to die. So Jonah is one of these individuals who is exceedingly critical and angry with God.
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Now, before you condemn Jonah, and his bitterness and resentment and anger, you have to examine your own life. So let me ask you a question. Have you ever been upset with God enough to voice your anger? Now Jonah certainly did. He voiced it very fully and freely. But the truth of the matter is most of us would never ever voice our anger and our resentment and our bitterness at God. But although we would not say what Jonah said, and we would not necessarily act the way Jonah acted, the truth of the matter is that we would display our anger not only in our attitude, but in our disposition as well. I've known Christians that have become angry with God at the loss of a husband, a wife, a child.
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In fact, I had an uncle who lost his wife at something like 55, 56 years. And he was exceedingly critical and angry with God because he lost his wife. And the truth of the matter is, he died as well shortly thereafter. So I'm just simply saying, there is not one family that has not been touched by death. There's not one family that has not lost a loved one. So Jonah here is exceedingly angry.
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So here's a few questions that we can ask in light of the title of this message, "The Displeased Prophet." Have you ever been angry with God? My next question would be this. Did it do you any good to be angry with God? Did it change his providence? Did it stop him from accomplishing his purpose? And the answer, of course, is absolutely not. And so I could ask this question.
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Who then suffered because of your anger, your resentment, and your bitterness? Certainly it was not God. It was you. And not only it was you, it was probably others who suffered because of you. Let me show you. If you would hold Jonah chapter 4, but I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of Hebrews chapter 12, Hebrews chapter 12. And let's begin reading there with verse 15, Hebrews chapter 12 and verse 15. Look, if you would, what God says specifically concerning bitterness. Watch. Hebrews chapter 12 and verse 15. God says, "Looking diligently, lest any man fail of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled."
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"Lest there be any fornicator or profane person as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright." But note, if you would, he talks in verse 15 about the root of bitterness. And he said, that root of bitterness will spring up and trouble you. And then he says, "and thereby many be defiled." So bitterness and resentment will not only eat you alive, it will spread to other people like a canker and affect them as well.
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So most Christians, when you think about this and you observe what is happening in the land today, and especially in most churches, spoiled child, especially when it comes to discipline and correction. We want what we want, and we want it when we want it, and God had better not get in our way. That's the way most people think. We've got to have our way or else we will show Him. And the truth of the matter is, we don't show Him. It is true that God is absolutely sovereign. It is God who does His pleasure. It is God who fulfills His counsel. It is God who fulfills His purpose.
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And no one can hinder Him, thwart Him, overthrow Him, or stop Him. Because God is sovereign and God is God. That's what the psalmist said in Psalm 115 in verse 3: "But our God is in the heavens. He does whatsoever He pleases." So God's the only one that can really do as He pleases. And then, of course, in Isaiah 46 and verse 10, he said, "declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times, the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand and I will do all of my pleasure."
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Now, we have to come to the realization that God's will is absolutely best for us. We may not understand it. We may not like it. We may not necessarily agree with it, but we have to bow and say, yes, God's will is absolutely the best for us. And let me clear up something right now. Each one of us have suffered some more than others. Each one has been through tests, trials, afflictions.
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Some are going through them now. Don't you understand that God is not some old meanie in heaven that's just waiting to beat the living tar out of each one of us. That's not what the scripture says. In Lamentations chapter 3 and verse 33, the Bible said, "He does not afflict willingly or grieve the children of men." God does not willingly afflict us. God is not waiting just to spring upon us and whip us so we can't walk.
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No, not by any stretch of the imagination. Our Heavenly Father is not some old meanie that enjoys depriving us, chastening us, and causing us heartache. And I can say that no a thousand times no. And I want you to listen to Matthew chapter 7 and verse 11. Listen to what the Bible says: "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father give good things to them that ask Him?" Now stop and think about that verse. "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children." Every one of us that have had children, we know what it means to give good gifts to them and to please them.
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And we're happy to do that, especially when they're obedient and when they're submissive and they live and do that which is right and that which they should do. And God said, "if you, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father give good things to them that ask Him?" So if we're going to be bitter and resentful, then what we need to do is be bitter and resentful at ourselves, at our ignorance out of our sin and our rebellion that causes God, oftentimes, to chasten us.
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I told you that Jonah was a very angry man, and he was. If you look in your Bibles to Jonah chapter 4 and verse 1, look at this: "But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry." Now skip down to verse 4: "Then said the Lord, Doest thou well to be angry?" Wow. Now look in verse 9: "And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd?" So three times now, God has pointed out the fact that Jonah is one angry man.
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And by the way, the word "angry" here is the Hebrew word "charah," which literally means to be hot, to be furious, to burn, to become angry, to be kindled and to work oneself into vexation. So Jonah is not someone who's just a little ticked. Jonah is someone who is exceedingly furious against God. So why was Jonah angry? Well, the answer is because God had mercy on the Assyrians. As I pointed out in the first message, the Assyrians were enemies of God's people. And by the way, if the Lord allows us to live and I get to preach next Sunday, you will find out something very informative about the Assyrians, something that most of us have not even considered at this particular time. But the truth of the matter is, Jonah knew exactly that which the Assyrians were going to do to Israel, and he did not want the Assyrians to attack Israel and destroy Israel.
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And so, therefore, he wanted their destruction. He wanted their doom. If you will turn in your Bibles to 2 Kings chapter 8, 2 Kings chapter 8, I'll give you a good parallel. This is almost the way Elisha felt when he was talking to Hazael. And notice, if you would, what Elisha did and how he composed himself until, basically, he was ashamed. So in 2 Kings chapter 8, beginning there with verse 7, look at this. 2 Kings chapter 8 and verse 7: "And Elisha came to Damascus, and Ben-Hadad, the king of Syria, was sick."
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"And it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither. And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go meet the man of God, and inquire of the Lord by him, saying, Shall I recover this disease?" So Ben-Hadad only asked one question. He wants to know one thing. Will he recover? Now watch verse 9: "So Hazael went to meet him and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, 40 camels' burdens and came and stood before him." I don't really know how much you can pack on a camel.
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I'm sure it's pretty hefty. So this is probably almost a semi-truckload of goods, or a half a truckload of goods, that are being brought just so Elisha can answer this question whether Ben-Hadad will recover. Now watch verse 10: "And Elisha said to him, Go, send him. Thou mayest certainly recover. Howbeit the Lord has showed me that he shall surely die." Now look, if you would, at verse 11. Look at verse 11, 2 Kings chapter 8: "And he settled his countenance steadfastly until he was ashamed, and the man of God wept. And Hazael said, Why weepeth my Lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou will do to the children of Israel."
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"Their strongholds will thou set on fire, and their young men will thou slay with a sword, and will dash their children, rip up their women with child. And Hazael said, But what is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, The Lord hath showed me that thou shalt be king over Syria. So he departed from Elisha, and came to his master, and said unto him, What said Elisha to thee? And he answered, He told me that thou shouldest surely recover. And it came to pass on the morrow that he took a thick cloth and dipped it in water and spread it upon his face, so that he died, Ben-Hadad, and Hazael reigned in his stead."
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Now, notice if you would, in Jonah chapter 4, Jonah's exceedingly angry because God has spared the Assyrians. And the reason being, he knew exactly what the Assyrians were going to do to Israel. Just like now, Elisha, he knows what Ben-Hadad is going to do to his people as well. And the Bible says that Elisha settled his countenance steadfast until he was ashamed, and the man of God wept.
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Hazael said, "Why in the world are you weeping?" He said, "I know what you're going to do to the children of Israel. You're going to rip up their women with child. You're going to slay their young men." And Hazael said, "But what is thy servant, a dog, that he should do this great thing?" By the way, that is exactly what Hazael did. He went, and of course, murdered Ben-Hadad the king, and he reigned in his stead, and he did exactly that which Elisha said he was going to do. So Jonah knew that the Assyrians then were going to be attacking Israel. I've told you about the book of Nahum, and the book of Habakkuk, how they also dealt with the Assyrians and Babylonians as well. But I'm just simply pointing out, they knew exactly what is happening. So Jonah now in Jonah chapter 4 is exceedingly angry. So I want you to go back to Jonah chapter 4 and look at it, if you would, please. Book of Jonah chapter 4.
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Notice, if you would, at verses 3 and 4. In fact, let's read verses 1 and 2. He said, "But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. And he prayed unto the Lord and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying when I was yet in my country? Therefore, I fled before unto Tarshish, for I knew that thou art a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil. Therefore now, O Lord, take I beseech thee my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live. Then said the Lord, Doest thou well to be angry?" Now, when you look at verse 2, and you remember I told you in Jonah chapter 1, Jonah was running from God. In Jonah chapter 2, he's running back to God. But in verse 2, here is what Jonah is basically saying: "Lord, I knew you were a merciful God. I knew you'd have mercy upon those people. I knew you would spare them."
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"And Lord, I did not want to see them spared. I wanted to see them destroyed. And therefore, I fled to Tarshish, I knew exactly what you're going to do. Your mercy is exceedingly great. And you are just as kind and gracious as you can be. And I did not desire their repentance." So God asked him, "Doest thou well to be angry?" And notice if you would, Jonah wants to die because God blessed his preaching. It's what he said in verse 3: "Therefore now, O Lord, take, I beseech thee, my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live." Now, you remember back in chapter 2, Jonah wanted others to kill him because he told them, "Throw me in the water." He wanted to die.
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And he thought that would be the end of it. Now he's not willing to do anything, but he's asking God to take his life now. So in Jonah chapter 3, God renews the commission after Jonah repents and God sends him back to Nineveh with the message, "Yet 40 days and Nineveh shall be overthrown." So here's my question. Why did God send Jonah? Jonah said, "God, I know that you were going to have mercy upon these people. I knew you were going to spare them. I knew that. That's why I fled." But now God subdued Jonah in the belly of that whale. God prepared that fish especially for Jonah. And when God had that whale spit Jonah out, Jonah was willing to obey and he went and did exactly what God said. So, why did Jonah have to preach? He said, "I knew God was going to be merciful." Why did God send him?
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Well, let me answer that with this. God has not only ordained the end, He has also ordained the means to the end. So God has not only ordained that which is the end over here, but everything that goes to that end as well. So I want you to turn to two passages in the New Testament. The first one is 1 Corinthians chapter 1, and the second one is Romans chapter 10. So if you will turn there, holding Jonah chapter 4, and if you'll look first of all to the book of 1 Corinthians chapter 1. Look, if you would, what the Apostle Paul writes, and let's begin reading there with verse 20.
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The scripture asks, "Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?" Now watch carefully, "For after that in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." What was the means of achieving salvation? Preaching.
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Now, let me show you. If you will turn back a few pages to the book of Romans chapter 10. And let's begin there with verse 13. Romans 10, verse 13. Here's a verse that most people can quote, but we usually take it out of context. Romans 10, verse 13: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Wow. Well, that's good. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." But I want you to look at verse 14: "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?" What precedes calling?
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The answer is faith, belief. Calling does not save you. Calling just demonstrates the faith that God has given you. You're not going to call on someone in whom you do not believe. You're not. Now watch it. He said in verse 13, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Now watch verse 14: "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?" Okay, you must believe before you call. Now watch this: "And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?" Now, hang on.
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So, if I tell you about my youngest daughter, you are hearing about her. But if she is in this room speaking, you hear her, right? So I want you to notice, if you would, verse 14: "How then shall they call on Him whom they have not believed?" You must believe before you call. "And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?" Not heard about, but heard.
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What did Jesus Christ say in John chapter 10? "I know my sheep, and I call them by name, and they follow me." It's just like when Mary went to the tomb. She turned about, and she saw our Lord, and she supposed Him to be the gardener. And she said, "Sir, if thou hast borne him hence, tell me, and I'll take him away." And all he said was, "Mary."
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And she said, "Rabboni, Master." She instantly knew him when he called her name. Now watch this: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Yes. "How then shall they call on him whom they have not believed?" You must believe in order to call. "Now shall they believe in him whom they have not heard?" You must hear Christ in order to believe. And then he said, "And how shall they hear without a preacher?"
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"And how shall they preach except they be sent?" So God then sends his preachers to preach his word. And he speaks to his people through the preaching and teaching of the word of God. So obviously, clearly, yes, it was necessary for Jonah to go and preach in Nineveh. God sent him. God told him he needed to go. Now here's the truth. Listen to this. And I can show you this in the Bible. Whenever God is going to have compassion upon a people, He always sends them a preacher. Whenever God is going to judge a people, He always removes the preacher. Or at least silences the preacher. When you stop and think about what is going on in our country today, and especially in Christendom today, you think of the churches that cannot find a pastor. Every week, I see churches asking for and begging for preachers from all over this country. There is an email that I get and every week they have churches asking for pastors. And I don't doubt that some of those churches probably ran some of their pastors off.
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And the truth of the matter is most churches really and truly do not want a real preacher. What they want is an administrator or an orator or an entertainer. They don't want someone who's actually going to teach the word of God. And people get upset with that.
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Now let me show you something. It's very interesting. I want you to hold Jonah chapter 4, but I want you to go back in your Bibles, if you would, to the book of Judges chapter 6. Judges chapter 6. This is an astounding passage. I want to read it just to show you the absolute devastation that was happening in the land by the Midianites and the Amalekites. So look in Judges chapter 6 and look beginning there with verse 1.
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"And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years. And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. And because of the Midianites, the children of Israel made them the dens, which are in the mountains, and caves and strongholds." In other words, they were driven out of the cities, they were driven out of their homes. So they're living in the mountains and the caves. Now watch verse 3: "And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them. And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass. For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude."
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Look now, "For both they and their camels were without number, and they entered into the land to destroy it. And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites. And the children of Israel cried unto the Lord." Now look at this. Look at the devastation in verses 1 through 5. Now Israel is crying to the Lord because of all the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the destruction of the land. Verse 7: "And it came to pass when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord because of the Midianites," look at verse 8, "that the Lord sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I brought you up out of Egypt and I brought you forth out of the house of bondage."
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"And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of all that oppressed you and drave them out from before you and gave you their land. And I said unto you, I'm the Lord your God. Fear not the gods of the Amorites, whose land you dwell, but you have not obeyed my voice. And there came an angel of the Lord and sat under an oak, which was in Ophrah."
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That then talks about Joash. This is on Gideon when he's called there, but watch. He said, "I am the Lord your God, fear not the gods." I told you that, but note if you would please go back, notice if you would, verse 7: "And it came to pass when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord because of the Midianites, the Lord sent a prophet." Why didn't God send a warrior? Why didn't God send a captain? Why didn't God send a great military leader? He didn't. He sent a preacher. And if you read on, God is saying this, "I'm not even going to deliver you unless you repent and come back to me. And if you're not going to repent, you call on those gods that you've chosen, let them deliver you." So if God is going to have compassion upon a people, God always sends a preacher.
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Now, if you will turn right over to 2 Chronicles, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, and look in chapter 36, watch this, and verse 15. 2 Chronicles 36 and verse 15. Here it is in black and white: "And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers," that would be the prophets, "rising up in times and sending," why? "Because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place." So God sent his preachers, why? Because he had compassion. But look what happened in verse 16: "But they," that is the people, "mocked the messengers of God," and be the preachers, "and despised his words," that's singular, that's God's words, "and misused his prophets until the wrath of the Lord arose against the people till there was no remedy." So when God has compassion on people, he sends them his preachers. When God judges a people, he removes his preachers.
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You remember how Elijah was in a foreign land away from Israel for three years. There was a drought for three years. What did he say to Ahab? "As the Lord God liveth, for whom I stand, there shall not be rain nor dew these years, but according to my word." And the drought in that time was just nothing more than a physical symbol of a spiritual reality, because the man of God had been taken out of the land. And so for three years, they had no word from God. Now, when he came to Jeremiah, God left him in the land, but God shut his mouth. When you get to Jeremiah chapter 7, God said to Jeremiah, "Pray not for this people." Jeremiah wanted to pray for them. Hmm. Jeremiah chapter 11, God says, "Pray not for this people." When you get to Jeremiah chapter 14, God said, "All right, Jeremiah, you want to pray for them? I won't let you pray for them. But here's what you pray."
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"You pray that I'll destroy them for that's exactly what I'm going to do." So God took Elijah out of the land, but God left Jeremiah in the land, but he just shut his mouth. He said, "No, I'm not going to allow you to pray for these people. No."
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Now, I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of Amos, Hosea, Joel, Amos. Notice if you would, Hosea, Joel, Amos, and look in Amos chapter 8, if you would, and let's begin reading there, verse 11. Look what God says. We're talking about when God has compassion upon a people, he sends them a preacher. When God judges a people, he either removes a preacher or shuts their mouth. So, Amos chapter 8, verse 11, God says, "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, not a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord."
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"And they shall wander from sea to sea and from the north, even to the east, and they shall run to and fro and seek the word of the Lord and shall not find it." So God said there will be a famine. A famine of hearing the word of God.
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Now, I want you to turn back in light of this to the book of Jonah, chapter 4, because we're talking about the displeased prophet. Because Jonah is so upset with God because God has spared the Assyrians. Now, I don't know if you've picked out the theme of the book of Jonah, but I'm going to give it to you, and you will find this over and over. In Jonah chapter 1 and verse 4, God sent out or God prepared a great wind. In Jonah 1 and verse 17, the Bible says, "God prepared a great fish." In Jonah 4 and verse 6, "God prepared a gourd." In Jonah 4 and verse 7, "God prepared a worm." And in Jonah chapter 4 and verse 8, "God prepared a vehement east wind." So in this brief book, you can see God's absolute sovereignty, not only His sovereignty in dealing with Jonah, but also His sovereignty in dealing with people in general, especially nations. So I want you to look in Jonah chapter 4 and let's begin reading there with verse 4. Look at this: "Then said the
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Lord, Doest thou well to be angry?" So he's really angry. "And Jonah went out of the city and sat on the east side of the city and there made him a booth and sat under it in the shadow or in the shade till he might see what would become of the city." Now watch this: "And the Lord God prepared a gourd and made it come up over Jonah that it might be a shadow or shade over his head to deliver him from his grief." It's astounding how merciful God is. Jonah didn't deserve the gourd, but God sent it to spare him from his grief, deliver him from his grief. "So Jonah was exceeding glad for the gourd." But watch verse 7: "But God prepared a worm when the morning rose, and the next day it smote the gourd that it withered." Ah, now watch verse 9: "And it came to pass, when the sun did rise, that God prepared a vehement east wind, and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, till he fainted, and he wished himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live."
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Now Jonah still wanted to see the destruction of Nineveh. So he goes out on the east side and he builds him a little brush arbor, probably made of sticks and leaves and branches, anything that would basically shield himself from the sun. And he's sitting there just hoping that somehow, some way God's going to change his purpose. And instead of sparing the Assyrians, God is going to end up killing those Assyrians as well. Now you've got to remember, Nineveh was a city of three days' journey. And so Jonah started on one end and went to the other preaching, "Yet 40 days and Nineveh shall be overthrown." So undoubtedly he's tired, walking three days straight preaching. And now he's under this little booth and he's waiting there to see what God is going to actually do to Nineveh. And so God then causes this gourd to grow, which has big, broad leaves, which shades them and cools them down immensely.
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I don't know if you ever noticed this or not. I notice it frequently because I have a creek, swampy area on our land. And it can be 97 degrees on the hill. And you can go down under all those shade trees around that little water. It'll be 80-something. It's a remarkable difference. And so God has created this gourd, and it shades him and cools him, and he's really thankful for that. But then the next morning, God prepares this worm, and the worm just eats the root of the gourd, and the gourd dies. Now, if you don't think that can happen that quickly, you let a tomato worm get into your tomato plants. Or you let any kind of worm underground get a hold of the root of your plant and it's going to die almost the same day. And so Jonah now has lost the gourd.
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And look at the question. Look at what God asked. He asked Jonah in verse 9: "And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd?" Wow. And look at Jonah's answer: "And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death." Oh, my soul. You know, Jonah appears to be the kind of child that you'd really love to slap. And when I say that, I mean slap some sense into him. How can you be so absolutely stupid, you know? Oh, my soul. Look at this.
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He has an attitude that is the height of unthankfulness, the height of ungratefulness, and the height of just pure sorriness and a rebellious attitude. Jonah's upset and Jonah's angry over this gourd and the fact that the worm ate the gourd. And he believes now that he has an absolute right to be angry even unto death. Wow! I know some people like that. I know even a few preachers like that. It's insane.
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Now, I want you to watch this because we're going to make the applications. Look at verses 10 and 11: "Then said the Lord, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, which thou hast not labored, neither made it sit to grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. And shouldest not I spare Nineveh, that great city wherein are more than six score thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand, and also much cattle." Now Jonah had a concern for that gourd. He didn't plant it. He didn't water it. He didn't fertilize it.
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It was something that was exceedingly temporary. Let me show you what he was concerned about. It was not just a concern for the gourd. It was a concern for his own comfort. His own pleasure. He had no concern for the inhabitants of Nineveh. But he did have concern for his own comfort. He had no concern for the animals of Nineveh. And if you'll notice what God said in verse 11, and I pointed out in the first message, that Nineveh was the greatest city at that era, in that era of time.
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It was greater than Babylon. And I gave you some of the stats concerning Nineveh in the very first message. But when you consider, He has now He mentions in this verse 120,000 persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand. So we're talking about 120,000 babies, 120,000 little children. Now if you've got 120,000 little children, you know they've got brothers and sisters. And you know they've got mamas and daddies, and you know they've got aunts and uncles. And so there's probably over a million people in Nineveh.
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And Jonah's not concerned over any of these, nor even the animals. He's just concerned over this stupid gourd. Wow. Let me ask you a question. Have you realized that God is pointing out the crooks, not only of the matter with Jonah, but the crooks of the matter with each of us? We're more concerned with our comfort and our desires and our wills and our wants more than anything else. Years ago, I was preaching in Indiana, and Alice and I were staying with a couple while I was preaching that week, and this couple had just returned from Russia.
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They went on a little mission trip, and he brought back pictures. He showed us pictures of a Russian baptism because there they had axes and ice picks breaking the ice in the river so they could baptize these new converts. Now you show me a professing Christian today who's willing to get into a freezing river just to be baptized. Most people won't walk across the street to go to church.
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And the fact is most churches are air-conditioned. We've got cushioned seats and all that. Why? Do you realize in some of these countries, people have to start congregating a day or two days prior to the church meeting and they have to walk individually or no more than one or two or three or four at the most. Because it's illegal for them to have a church and yet they go to a secret place. Wow.
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I want to show you. This is indeed where we are today. I want you to turn back in your Bibles, if you would, to the book of Amos. Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos. Back to Amos. Look, if you would, in Amos chapter 6. God is pointing this out. Amos chapter 6, Hosea, Joel, Amos. Look in chapter 6 beginning there in verse 1. Watch this. This is a picture of today. God says, "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and that trust in the mountain of Samaria." That'd be the government. Samaria was the capital of the northern kingdom.
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Mountains refer to nations and governments. He said, "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations to whom the house of Israel came. Pass you into Calneh and see, and from this go ye to Hamath the great. Then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Be they better than these kingdoms, or their border greater than your border?" Now watch this.
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"You that put far away the evil day, and cause the seed of violence to come near. Watch this. They lie upon beds of ivory, and they stretch themselves upon their couches, and they eat the lambs out of the flock," that is the best and the tenderest, "and the calves out of the midst of the stall, that chant to the sounds of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of music like David, that drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments." Watch it!
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"But they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph." What's he saying? You take care of yourself. You want the best for yourself, but you're not concerned about the afflictions of Joseph. If you'll turn back just a few pages to the book of Hosea, look at Hosea chapter 4 and verse 13. Hosea chapter 4 and verse 13. Look at this. In fact, we'll read verse 12. He says, "My people ask counsel at their stocks," that is, idols, "and their staff declares unto them, for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they've gone a-whoring from under their God."
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Now look, "They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains and burn incense upon the hills under oaks and poplars and elms." Why? "Because the shadow thereof is good." In other words, they want comfort. They'd rather be comfortable in their idolatry. Wow! This is exactly what God is pointing out to Jonah. You're more concerned about your personal comforts than you are the people or the animals that happen to be in Nineveh. Now, here's another truth that we have to learn from Jonah chapter 4.
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This is very disconcerting to some folks, but it's still the absolute truth. And that is this, that preachers do not get to choose the type of ministry that they prefer or that they desire. God is the one that ordains their ministry for them. Now hang on, there is a ministry of reconciliation and there is a ministry of condemnation. Jonah was given a ministry of reconciliation, but he really wanted a ministry of condemnation. Isaiah and Jeremiah were given a ministry of condemnation, but they really wanted a ministry of reconciliation. What about Noah? Do you realize that Noah preached 120 years and never had one convert?
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And the Bible says in 2 Peter 2 and verse 5 that he was a preacher of righteousness. Let me show you. If you will turn back in your Bibles to Jeremiah chapter 1, Jeremiah chapter 1, let me just show you very quickly that God has given Jeremiah a ministry of condemnation. Jeremiah chapter 1, notice if you would verse 10, look at what God says. Jeremiah 1 verse 10. God says, "See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms to root out and to pull down and to destroy and to throw down and to build and to plant."
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He had to do three times as much destruction as he did building and planting. Now skip down to verse 15. Look at this: "For lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the earth, saith the Lord, and they shall come. And they shall set every one his throne at the entering into the gates of Jerusalem," that is, all these heathen are going to conquer Jerusalem, "and against all the walls thereof round about,
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and against all the cities of Judah. And I will utter my judgments against them, touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me and have burned incense unto other gods, and worship the works of their own hands. Thou therefore gird up thy loins and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee. Be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them. For behold, I've made thee this day a defense city and an iron pillar and a brazen wall against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, against the people thereof, and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee, for I'm with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee."
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What's he saying to Jeremiah? Nobody's going to listen to you. I'm going to end up destroying them. And when you get to Jeremiah chapter 9 in verse 1, Jeremiah says, "Oh, I wish that my head were waters and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain daughter of my people." He said, "I want to weep all the time." He was a man full of compassion.
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He's known as the weeping prophet. And yet God gave him a ministry of condemnation, not a ministry of reconciliation. If you'll turn right on back to Isaiah chapter 6. Just back a few pages, Isaiah chapter 6, and look if you would please, beginning there with verse 8. This is where God calls Isaiah into the ministry. Isaiah chapter 6, look in verse 8: "Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. And he said, Go and tell this people and hear you indeed, but understand not and see you indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat and make their ears heavy and shut their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and convert and be healed." God said, "I want you to go. Yeah, these people are going to listen to you. They're not going to see. They're not going to hear. They're not going to understand."
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Now, Isaiah finally asked this question in verse 11: "Then said I, Lord, how long?" That is, how long do I have to go to these people? And he answered, "Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant and the houses without man and the land be utterly desolate." In other words, I'm not going to let him hear you. You're going to have a ministry of condemnation. Isaiah wanted a ministry of reconciliation.
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So did Jeremiah, but they didn't have it. Now, God does not give every preacher a ministry of Charles Haddon Spurgeon. He does not give every preacher a ministry of George Whitefield. He doesn't give everybody a ministry of the Apostle Paul. No, he gives some a ministry of condemnation and others a ministry of reconciliation.
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Now, I want you to turn in your Bibles to 2 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians and look in chapter 2. And I'm going to show you, in this chapter, the ministry of reconciliation and the ministry of condemnation. So here it is. Look at this. 2 Corinthians 2, verse 14. The Apostle Paul says, "Now thanks be unto God, which always causes us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place." Now look what he says in verse 15: "For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ in them that are saved and in them that perish." Now, the sweet savor refers to the incense and to the smoke that came up out of those offerings in the Old Testament. So he says, "For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ in them that are saved and in them that perish."
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"To the one we are the savor of death unto death, and to the other the savor of life unto life, and who is sufficient for these things?" So here it is. Let me explain this. Let's suppose there happens to be in this room today 100 lost men and women, none saved. And I preach as hard as I can, and God blesses the Word, and the Holy Spirit works in their hearts. And let's just say all 100 are regenerated and converted by God.
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And they're all praising the Lord. You know what God does? Here's what God does. My son is preached. And I'm satisfied. If we take that same 100 unsafe men and women, and I preach as hard as I can. And I preach Jesus Christ. And every one of them raises their fist and clenched their teeth and say, "We'll not have this man to reign over us." And they try to run me off and run me out of town. You know what God says? My son is preached. And I'm satisfied. One would be a ministry of reconciliation, the other ministry of condemnation. That's what he said.
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"We're the savor of life unto life and death unto death. And who's sufficient for these things?" Only God. Only God.
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Now, I want you to understand this. It is faithfulness that counts, not greatness. Noah was faithful for 120 years, never had one convert. And God put him on the heroes of faith. Isaiah and Jeremiah, they're the heroes of faith. They never had any converts. It's faithfulness that counts. There are preachers that you and I have never heard of. There are Christians that you and I have never heard of and probably never will hear of that have led faithful, consistent, godly Christian lives. And God counts them as successful.
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Success is not in numbers. Success is not in bigness. Success is not in greatness. Success is in faithfulness. We may be small, we may be insignificant, but what counts is faithfulness. Our Lord said, "Moreover it is demanded that a steward be found faithful." And that's true, 1 Corinthians chapter 4. God demands faithfulness. Now, I want you to note what God said. I want you to go back in your Bibles, or at least turn in your Bibles, please, to Psalm 104. Because God said to Jonah, God said to Jonah, there's 120,000 babies in that city that can't discern between their left hand and their right hand. Yes, there were undoubtedly plenty of sinners in that great city.
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But there were also children. There were also animals. And God said, "and all the cattle." You know, here's an astounding thing for me. That God is concerned about animals. He's not only concerned about humans, he's concerned about animals as well. Stop and think about this. Animals are just as much God's creation as we are. And God takes care of animals. God feeds them. God protects and provides for their needs as well.
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So look in Psalm 104, and let's begin reading there with verse 10. Psalm 104, verse 10: "He sent the springs into the valleys which run among the hills. Why? They give drink to every beast of the field. The wild asses quench their thirst. By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches. He watereth the hills from his chambers. The earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works."
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"He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, an herb for the service of man, that he may bring forth food out of the earth, and wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart. The trees of the Lord are full of sap, the cedars of Lebanon which he hath planted. Where the birds make their nests is for the stork, the fir trees are her house."
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"The high hills are refuge for the wild goats, and the rocks for the conies. He appointed the moon for seasons, the sun knoweth his going down. Thou makest darkness, and it is night wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth." Look at this: "The young lions roar after their prey and seek their meat from God. The sun arises, they gather themselves together and lay them down in their dens. Man goes forth into his work and to his labor until the evening." Then he says, "O Lord, how manifold are thy works and wisdom thou hast made them all. The earth is full of thy riches. Praise the Lord." Listen to me. No animal deserves to be abused, mistreated, starved, beaten or destroyed any more than any man or woman deserves to be beaten and mistreated and abused and starved and destroyed. Wow. God takes care of the animals as well. Listen to me.
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Let me say it like this: when we treat God's creation with contempt, we treat God with contempt. When we disrespect God's creation, we disrespect God. There are three reasons in the Bible why the lives of animals may be taken. We may take an animal's life for food. God has given animals to us to eat. There's no problem with that. We may take the lives of animals in self-defense.
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I know men who were attacked by deer, a buck. In fact, one man was killed in Texas by a buck. I've known several people who were attacked by animals. When you are attacked, yes, you may defend yourself. God gives animals to us for food. God gives us the right of self-defense. And thirdly, of course, and that is if they're hindering dominion. If rabbits are eating up my garden, I might shoot the rabbits because I want my garden.
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Now, I'm not going to just let the rabbits lie. I don't eat them, but I will give them somebody who does eat them. So the point being, here are three reasons why animal life can be taken based upon God's terms, because if those animals are hindering dominion, then they may be rightly destroyed. I want you to notice this. I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 22, and look, if you would please, at verses 6 and 7.
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This is an astounding thing. Deuteronomy 22, verses 6 and 7. There are three reasons in the Bible where God promises long life. One of them, of course, you know, and that's obedience to parents. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, honor thy father and thy mother, that your days may be long upon the earth." Okay, right. Sure. And whether you know it or not, another reason that God promises long life is in relationship to money, whether we're honest or not. But here's another reason. Look in Deuteronomy, chapter 22, at verses 6 and 7. The Bible says, "If a bird's nest chance to be before thee in the way in any tree or on the ground, whether they be young ones or eggs, or the dam, the female sitting upon the young or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the young. But thou shalt in anywise let the dam go and take the young to thee, that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest prolong thy days." Did you see that?
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Why would you let the dam go? Because if you take the dam, the young are going to die as well. God says, no, if you're going to eat them, you take the young, you let the female, you let the mama go. She can have more babies, that's no problem. But notice it with the latter part, "that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest prolong thy days."
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In other words, God promises long life based upon how we treat animals, how we are honest with our money, and how we honor our fathers and our mothers. Those are the three promises for long life in the Bible.
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Now, so God says to Jonah, "No, Jonah, you're concerned more about your comfort than you are the people of Assyria." Now, let me just show you what we're to learn from the book of Jonah. I've got seven things down, okay? Recapping the other three messages as well as this one, first of all, the Word of God teaches us that we cannot run from God. And I explained what that meant in Jonah chapter 1. The second one is this: God knows exactly what it's going to take to break us and bring us in submission and obedience. Like I said earlier, when God got through with Jonah, he might have smelled a lot like fish, but he felt a whole lot more like preaching. God knew exactly what it would take to break Jonah. He knows exactly what it will take to break us. The third one is this: God desires repentance and faith. And God certainly gives second opportunities. The fourth one is this: we should be more concerned about God's will than our will and our comforts.
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The fifth one is this: it is God who determines our ministry. And number six, we must learn to honor His creation and not abuse it and not misuse it. Number seven, it does us no good to be angry with God. We should be angry with ourselves and our sin, but we should never, ever find fault with God. For God doeth all things well. And whatever God does, He does for our good and for His glory. And we have to honor Him and submit to Him. There's so much in the book of Jonah, and there's so much for you and I to learn and apply to our lives.
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Lord willing, next week, I want to bring a message that I think will probably startle you, and it'll bring you more information on Assyria. It may really surprise you. Although it's not dealing in the book of Jonah, it will surprise you. Well, let's pray. Father, thank You again for the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the truth. Lord, help us to learn. Help us, Lord, to be students of Thy Word and apply Thy Word to our lives. And help us not, Lord, to commit the same sins and errors that others have committed, which, Lord, You revealed for our benefit, that we might not be critical and angry with Thee.
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Thou art a God of love. God is love. And Lord, we love Thee today and we submit to Thee. We ask, Lord, that You would teach us and build us up in the most holy faith. In Thy name we pray. Amen.
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♪
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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-06T03:51:33Z

The Displeased Prophet - Jonah Series - Part 4 of 4

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

In this final message on Jonah, Pastor John Weaver examines Jonah's anger at God's mercy on Nineveh. Jonah is displeased that his preaching succeeded, wanting the Assyrians destroyed. God questions Jonah's anger, using a gourd and a worm to teach him about misplaced priorities. The sermon emphasizes God's sovereignty, the necessity of preaching, and the danger of bitterness. Applications include submitting to God's will, valuing people over comfort, and trusting God's purposes even when we don't understand them.

Introduction: The Displeased Prophet

Jonah is exceedingly angry that God spared Nineveh. The message explores why Jonah was angry and what we can learn from his attitude.

Scripture Reading — Jonah 4:1-11

"But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. And he prayed unto the Lord and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying when I was yet in my country?"

The Danger of Bitterness and Anger Toward God

Weaver asks if we have ever been angry with God, noting that bitterness defiles many and does not change God's providence.

God's Sovereignty and Our Response

God is sovereign and does all His pleasure. We must trust that His will is best, even when we don't understand it.

And no one can hinder Him, thwart Him, overthrow Him, or stop Him. Because God is sovereign and God is God. That's what the psalmist said in Psalm 115 in verse 3:

Scripture Reading — Psalm 115:3

"But our God is in the heavens. He does whatsoever He pleases."

Why Jonah Was Angry

Jonah knew God would be merciful to the Assyrians, Israel's enemies, and he wanted them destroyed. This parallels Elisha's grief over Hazael.

Scripture Reading — 2 Kings 8:7-15

"And it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither. And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go meet the man of God, and inquire of the Lord by him, saying, Shall I recover this disease?"

So Ben-Hadad only asked one question. He wants to know one thing. Will he recover? Now watch verse 9:

Scripture Reading — 2 Kings 8:7-15

"So Hazael went to meet him and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, 40 camels' burdens and came and stood before him."

Scripture Reading — 2 Kings 8:7-15

"And Elisha said to him, Go, send him. Thou mayest certainly recover. Howbeit the Lord has showed me that he shall surely die."

Now look, if you would, at verse 11. Look at verse 11, 2 Kings chapter 8:

Scripture Reading — 2 Kings 8:7-15

"And he settled his countenance steadfastly until he was ashamed, and the man of God wept. And Hazael said, Why weepeth my Lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou will do to the children of Israel."

The Necessity of Preaching

God ordains both the end and the means. Preaching is the means by which God saves, as seen in Romans 10 and 1 Corinthians 1.

So, if I tell you about my youngest daughter, you are hearing about her. But if she is in this room speaking, you hear her, right? So I want you to notice, if you would, verse 14:

Scripture Reading — Romans 10:13-15

"How then shall they call on Him whom they have not believed?"

You must believe before you call.

Scripture Reading — Romans 10:13-15

"And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?"

God's Compassion and Judgment Through Preachers

When God has compassion, He sends a preacher; when He judges, He removes or silences the preacher. Examples from Judges, 2 Chronicles, and Amos.

Scripture Reading — Judges 6:1-10

"And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years. And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. And because of the Midianites, the children of Israel made them the dens, which are in the mountains, and caves and strongholds."

In other words, they were driven out of the cities, they were driven out of their homes. So they're living in the mountains and the caves. Now watch verse 3:

Scripture Reading — Judges 6:1-10

"And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them. And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass. For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude."

Look now,

Scripture Reading — Judges 6:1-10

"For both they and their camels were without number, and they entered into the land to destroy it. And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites. And the children of Israel cried unto the Lord."

Now look at this. Look at the devastation in verses 1 through 5. Now Israel is crying to the Lord because of all the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the destruction of the land. Verse 7:

Scripture Reading — Judges 6:1-10

"And it came to pass when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord because of the Midianites,"

look at verse 8,

Scripture Reading — Judges 6:1-10

"that the Lord sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I brought you up out of Egypt and I brought you forth out of the house of bondage." "And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of all that oppressed you and drave them out from before you and gave you their land. And I said unto you, I'm the Lord your God. Fear not the gods of the Amorites, whose land you dwell, but you have not obeyed my voice. And there came an angel of the Lord and sat under an oak, which was in Ophrah."

That then talks about Joash. This is on Gideon when he's called there, but watch. He said,

Scripture Reading — Judges 6:1-10

"I am the Lord your God, fear not the gods."

I told you that, but note if you would please go back, notice if you would, verse 7:

Scripture Reading — Judges 6:1-10

"And it came to pass when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord because of the Midianites, the Lord sent a prophet."

The Gourd and the Worm: A Lesson in Priorities

God uses a gourd to comfort Jonah, then a worm to destroy it, exposing Jonah's selfish concern for his own comfort over the people of Nineveh.

Ministries of Reconciliation and Condemnation

Preachers do not choose their ministry. Some are given a ministry of reconciliation, others of condemnation. Faithfulness, not numbers, is what counts.

Scripture Reading — Jeremiah 1:10, 15-19

"See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms to root out and to pull down and to destroy and to throw down and to build and to plant."

Now, Isaiah finally asked this question in verse 11:

Scripture Reading — Isaiah 6:8-11

"Then said I, Lord, how long?"

That is, how long do I have to go to these people? And he answered,

Scripture Reading — Isaiah 6:8-11

"Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant and the houses without man and the land be utterly desolate."

In other words, I'm not going to let him hear you. You're going to have a ministry of condemnation. Isaiah wanted a ministry of reconciliation.

God's Care for All Creation

God is concerned for animals as well as humans. We must honor God's creation and not treat it with contempt.

Scripture Reading — Deuteronomy 22:6-7

"If a bird's nest chance to be before thee in the way in any tree or on the ground, whether they be young ones or eggs, or the dam, the female sitting upon the young or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the young. But thou shalt in anywise let the dam go and take the young to thee, that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest prolong thy days."

Did you see that?

Seven Lessons from Jonah

The Displeased Prophet - Jonah Series - Part 4 of 4

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	1dZLC2LM-9c
Subject	New Testament Studies
Course	Romans: Sin, Judgment, and Gospel Foundations: Praying Against the Wicked
Genre	Sermon
Date	2024-12-01
Dictation Name
Book	Book 137: Romans: Sin, Judgment, and Gospel Foundations - Volume 2 — Chapter 39
Source Timed Segments	93

Lecture Guide

Outline

Introduction: The Displeased Prophet: Jonah is exceedingly angry that God spared Nineveh. The message explores why Jonah was angry and what we can learn from his attitude.
The Danger of Bitterness and Anger Toward God: Weaver asks if we have ever been angry with God, noting that bitterness defiles many and does not change God's providence.
God's Sovereignty and Our Response: God is sovereign and does all His pleasure. We must trust that His will is best, even when we don't understand it.
Why Jonah Was Angry: Jonah knew God would be merciful to the Assyrians, Israel's enemies, and he wanted them destroyed. This parallels Elisha's grief over Hazael.
The Necessity of Preaching: God ordains both the end and the means. Preaching is the means by which God saves, as seen in Romans 10 and 1 Corinthians 1.
God's Compassion and Judgment Through Preachers: When God has compassion, He sends a preacher; when He judges, He removes or silences the preacher. Examples from Judges, 2 Chronicles, and Amos.
The Gourd and the Worm: A Lesson in Priorities: God uses a gourd to comfort Jonah, then a worm to destroy it, exposing Jonah's selfish concern for his own comfort over the people of Nineveh.
Ministries of Reconciliation and Condemnation: Preachers do not choose their ministry. Some are given a ministry of reconciliation, others of condemnation. Faithfulness, not numbers, is what counts.
God's Care for All Creation: God is concerned for animals as well as humans. We must honor God's creation and not treat it with contempt.
Seven Lessons from Jonah: Weaver summarizes seven lessons: we cannot run from God; God knows how to break us; God desires repentance; we should prioritize God's will; God determines our ministry; we must honor creation; and it does no good to be angry with God.

Major Themes

Key Arguments

Anger at God is futile and self-destructive

Being angry with God does not change His providence; it only harms the angry person and those around them.

Weaver asks, 'Did it do you any good to be angry with God? Did it change his providence?' and answers, 'Absolutely not.'

God's will is always best, even when we don't understand it

We must trust that God's purposes are for our good and His glory, even in trials.

Weaver says, 'We have to come to the realization that God's will is absolutely best for us.'

Preaching is the divinely appointed means of salvation

God not only ordains the end (salvation) but also the means (preaching). Jonah had to preach for Nineveh to repent.

Weaver explains Romans 10:14: 'How shall they hear without a preacher?'

God sends or removes preachers based on His compassion or judgment

When God intends to show mercy, He sends a preacher; when He intends judgment, He removes or silences the preacher.

Weaver cites Judges 6:7-8, 2 Chronicles 36:15-16, and Amos 8:11.

Jonah's anger reveals a selfish concern for personal comfort

Jonah's pity for the gourd, which he did not labor for, exposes his lack of compassion for the people of Nineveh.

Weaver points out Jonah 4:10-11, where God contrasts Jonah's concern for the gourd with His own concern for the city.

Ministry is determined by God, not personal preference

Preachers do not choose whether they have a ministry of reconciliation or condemnation; God assigns it.

Weaver contrasts Jonah's desired ministry of condemnation with Isaiah's and Jeremiah's ministries of condemnation, which they did not desire.

Faithfulness, not visible results, defines success

Noah preached 120 years without a convert, yet he is a hero of faith. God requires faithfulness, not numerical success.

Weaver says, 'Success is not in numbers. Success is not in bigness. Success is in faithfulness.'

God's concern for animals reflects His character and our responsibility

God provides for animals and commands humane treatment. Mistreating animals is disrespecting God.

Weaver reads Psalm 104 and Deuteronomy 22:6-7, noting God's care for animals and the promise of long life for treating them well.

Scripture References

Jonah 4:1-11: The entire chapter is read and forms the basis of the sermon. Jonah's anger, the gourd, the worm, and God's final question.
Hebrews 12:15: Used to warn about the root of bitterness that defiles many, applied to Jonah's anger.
Psalm 115:3: Quoted to affirm God's sovereignty: 'Our God is in the heavens; he does whatsoever he pleases.'
Isaiah 46:10: Cited to show God declares the end from the beginning and His counsel shall stand.
Lamentations 3:33: Used to show God does not afflict willingly or grieve the children of men.
Matthew 7:11: Quoted to illustrate that if evil men give good gifts, how much more will the Heavenly Father give good things.
2 Kings 8:7-15: The story of Elisha and Hazael, paralleling Jonah's knowledge of future Assyrian cruelty.
1 Corinthians 1:20-21: Used to show that God uses the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe.
Romans 10:13-15: Explained to show the chain: calling requires belief, belief requires hearing, hearing requires a preacher, and preaching requires being sent.
John 10:3-4: Referenced to illustrate that Christ's sheep hear His voice, as Mary recognized Jesus when He called her name.
Judges 6:1-10: Read to show that when Israel cried out, God sent a prophet (preacher) before sending a deliverer.
2 Chronicles 36:15-16: Cited to demonstrate that God sent messengers because He had compassion, but the people mocked them until there was no remedy.
Amos 8:11-12: Quoted to show the famine of hearing the words of the Lord as a form of judgment.
Amos 6:1-6: Read to illustrate people at ease in Zion, concerned with comfort but not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.
Hosea 4:12-13: Cited to show people sacrificing under trees because the shadow was good, preferring comfort in idolatry.
Jeremiah 1:10, 15-19: Read to show Jeremiah's ministry of condemnation: to root out, pull down, and destroy.
Isaiah 6:8-11: Read to show Isaiah's commission to preach so that people would not understand, a ministry of condemnation.
2 Corinthians 2:14-16: Explained to show that preachers are a savor of life unto life and death unto death, depending on the hearers' response.
Psalm 104:10-24: Read to demonstrate God's provision for animals and all creation.
Deuteronomy 22:6-7: Cited to show God's command to let the mother bird go, with a promise of long life, indicating God's care for animals.

Historical References

Assyrians as enemies of Israel: Jonah knew the Assyrians would attack and destroy Israel, which is why he wanted them destroyed.
Elisha and Hazael (2 Kings 8): Elisha wept knowing the evil Hazael would do to Israel, similar to Jonah's knowledge of Assyrian cruelty.
Nahum and Habakkuk: Mentioned as other prophets who dealt with the Assyrians and Babylonians.
Elijah's drought and removal from Israel: Elijah was taken out of the land for three years, symbolizing a spiritual drought when the preacher is removed.
Jeremiah's silenced prayer: God told Jeremiah not to pray for the people, and later to pray for their destruction, as a sign of judgment.
Noah's 120-year ministry without converts: Noah preached righteousness for 120 years but had no converts, yet is listed among the heroes of faith.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon, George Whitefield, Apostle Paul: Mentioned as examples of preachers with ministries of reconciliation, but not all preachers are given such ministries.
Russian baptism in freezing river: A couple showed pictures of a Russian baptism where they broke ice to baptize converts, contrasting with modern comfort.

Important Quotes

But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.

This verse sets the theme of the message: Jonah's displeasure at God's mercy.

Have you ever been mad at God? Have you ever been displeased with the providence of God in your life?

Weaver challenges the congregation to examine their own hearts regarding anger toward God.

Lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.

Quoting Hebrews 12:15, Weaver warns that bitterness not only harms the individual but spreads to others.

Our God is in the heavens. He does whatsoever He pleases.

This quote from Psalm 115:3 underscores the sermon's emphasis on God's sovereignty.

I knew that thou art a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.

Jonah's own words reveal that he fled because he knew God would be merciful, highlighting his rebellious attitude.

It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

Weaver uses 1 Corinthians 1:21 to establish preaching as God's ordained means of salvation.

It is faithfulness that counts, not greatness.

Weaver summarizes the lesson that God values faithfulness over visible success in ministry.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

Have you ever been angry with God over a difficult providence? How did that anger affect you and those around you?

[Context]

Weaver asks the congregation to examine their own hearts regarding anger toward God.

[Question]

In what ways might bitterness take root in our lives, and how can we guard against it?

[Context]

Based on Hebrews 12:15, Weaver warns that bitterness defiles many.

[Question]

How does understanding God's sovereignty help us trust Him in trials?

[Context]

Weaver emphasizes that God does all His pleasure and His will is best.

[Question]

Why is preaching essential in God's plan of salvation? How should this shape our view of the church and evangelism?

[Context]

Weaver explains Romans 10 and 1 Corinthians 1, showing that faith comes by hearing the preached word.

[Question]

What are some modern examples of being more concerned with personal comfort than with the spiritual or physical needs of others?

[Context]

Weaver contrasts Jonah's pity for the gourd with God's concern for Nineveh, and references Amos 6.

[Question]

How should we measure success in ministry or Christian service? What does faithfulness look like in your context?

[Context]

Weaver argues that faithfulness, not numbers, is what God requires.

[Question]

What does the Bible teach about our responsibility toward animals and creation? How can we apply this?

[Context]

Weaver reads Psalm 104 and Deuteronomy 22, showing God's care for animals and our duty to treat them well.

[Question]

How can we cultivate a heart that rejoices in God's mercy toward others, even our enemies?

[Context]

Jonah was angry that God spared the Assyrians. Weaver challenges us to examine our own attitudes toward those we might consider undeserving of grace.

Applications

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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T16:29:27Z