Have you ever been upset with God when you see an enemy getting away with their behavior? We’ve may have even said, “Why didn’t they get what they deserved?”
Jonah is asked by God to go to a city, proclaim His word so that Nineveh will turn from their wicked ways and turn to God. Jonah had such a hard time with seeing the Lord’s compassion for Nineveh, that he says, “This is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.” (Jonah 4: 2)
He was so angry and unwilling to yield to God’s compassion, that he asked for the Lord to take his life. He runs again, out of the city, not onto a ship, but sets down under a tree, waiting to see what would happen to the city.
Here comes the provision. Instead of immediately scolding Jonah, “ God provided a vine and made it grow up over Jonah to give him shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the vine.” (Jonah 4: 6)
Sure he was happy. It was all about Jonah, and what he wanted. He wanted God to see things his way. He wanted God to withdraw his hand of compassion and inflict pain and suffering on Nineveh. He wanted them to get what they deserved–punishment.
It’s lesson time. The test comes when the next day, at dawn, God provided a worm, which chewed the vine so that it withered. Then the heat of the sun came.
God took away his protective covering because his heart needed some work on it. Maybe He provided sun so that Jonah would understand the loving-kindness of the Son.
- Hardships come when God removes His covering to show us His way is best in dealing with people.
- Anger causes us to quit, withdraw, and watch from the sidelines.
- The enemy always wants isolation. God wants restoration.
Jonah is now concerned that the vine was gone, and that he wouldn’t be taken care of. God was concerned about the people of Nineveh.
- The things that concern Him should concern us. (Shared from Jonah 4, Modified)
What About the Women? For the women who are concerned and get riled up over this verse, “As in all congregations of the saints, women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission as the law says.” (1 Corinthians 14: 33-34)
Paul was already pro-women, a couple of chapters earlier, when he said, “Every woman who prays or prophecies.” (1 Corinthians 11: 5)
The commentary I read said the women were not to judge the prophecies that were coming forth publically, nor disrupt meetings, for those who had questions. They were to hold their questions till when they could talk privately with their husbands at home.
In the Jewish synagogue, men and women set apart. If a woman would call out to her husband sitting far off, she would be dealt with as being out of order. Could it be this type of seating arrangement was implemented in the early New Testament church?
Paul was emphasizing that the church was strengthened when each member is shown respect for one another, which is showing respect for God, as their spiritual gifts were exercised. The men were the ones responsible for judging the prophecies.
The word speak, in Greek, used in the above scripture, is the word laleo, which means “to talk, question, argue, profess, or chatter.” It has nothing to do with prophecy or prayer, it is not about public speaking either. They just didn’t want any outbursts or disruptions. Us women can be fiesty!
(Shared from 1 Corinthians 14: 26-40, Modified)
Jehu, is appointed king of Israel, and from his leadership, there were more than outbursts, there were slayings. Elisha tells one of his students to go down to Jehu, the son of Jehoshaphat, and get him by himself and anoint him, King. He tells him, after that, run!
The obedient student does what he is asked and prophecies the word of the Lord to him. Jehu is then pronounced king, then the killing begins.
Within every couple of verses, as I read through this, is the phrase, “Do you come in peace?” This was originally asked by Joram, king of Israel, as he and Ahaziah, king of Judah go out to meet Jehu.
- Do we seek and respond in peace when a battle is about to break out?
Jehu responds, “How can there be peace as long as this idolatry and witchcraft of your mother, Jezebel, is abound? (2 Kings 9: 22)
Jehu, still on a rampage, goes now after the king of Judah, shooting, but Azaziah escapes, to Megiddo, injured, and later dies there.
Jehu goes after Jezebel, throws her to the ground and the horses trample her.
Prior to all the slaying, there were these horseman riding, asking, “Do you come in peace,” which I shared earlier. I couldn’t help seeing that there may have been a peace treaty?
- Initiating peace disarms the enemy.
- Peace is actually a weapon.
If we live with God-given compassion and love in our hearts, walking in the Lord’s peace is possible, even in turmoil.
Before the battles were about to occur, the option of peace was presented. So it is with us before our battles occur. How we respond will determine if the peace of the Lord inside is a weapon?
We read, that there is a horseman, “Whose rider was given the power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other.” (Revelation 6: 4)
Yet, “There is a white horse, whose rider is called faithful and true. With justice He judges and makes war.” (Revelation 19: 11)
Within His passion is compassion, as He makes His way complete. Yes, compassion even for an enemy is possible, may even be probable, because it’s His compassion. (Shared from 2 Kings 9, Modified)
UNBROKEN LOVE SERIES
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