Jonah 4:2 - Homiletics

The long suffering of God.

The magnificent description of the Divine character is given in language familiar to the pious Hebrews, as is apparent from its almost exact coincidence with other passages of Old Testament Scripture. Nothing could more conclusively contradict the common impression that the old covenant was one of justice only and not of mercy. The language, occurring as it does in close connection with the repining of the prophet, appears strangely out of place. It is surprising that Jonah could have spoken thus of God without feeling himself reproved and silenced. How could he have reflected upon the mercy and kindness of God, and have continued to cherish regret because his threats were not fulfilled, because a great city was spared?

I. THE BENEVOLENT ATTRIBUTES OF GOD . By a redundancy of language, testifying to the depth of appreciation felt, the Lord is declared to be:

1 . Gracious.

2 . Merciful.

3 . Of great kindness.

II. THE ACTIONS IN WHICH GOD EXPRESSES HIS BENEVOLENT ATTRIBUTES .

1 . He defers the execution of his just indignation against sinners. The narrative gives an impressive instance of this; but it is the lesson of all history.

2 . He changes his purposes of wrath into purposes of mercy. Such was the case with Nineveh. Such is the case with humanity at large.