A Psychoanalyzing a Mad Man
Imagine you are an expert in psychoanalyzing people arrested
by the police. You’ve been called upon to psychoanalyze a mad man (angry man). His
name is Jonah. He reveals some very disturbing things about himself as he
tells his story to you recorded in Jonah chapter 4.
But before you get to work psychoanalyzing
him, I have a question for you. Why is there a chapter 4 anyway? In just 3
chapters the main story is told. And if you left out Jonah’s prayer from inside
the great fish in ch.2, the action line of the story is given in the reading of
just chapters 1 and 3. Chapter 3 ends on a happy note- the people repented at
the preaching of Jonah. And they lived happily ever after. End of story. But it’s
not. Why is there a chapter 4? Good question. It appears that the divine Author
is revealing something worthy of an entire extra chapter. It’s this. It’s not
enough to outwardly obey God; the Lord wants us to share His heart of
compassion for people. Without love, we are nothing- certainly nothing
like God. Jonah had just experienced the greatest evangelistic outreach that
preachers would die for, but he wanted to die. He had no love for those sinners. Are we much better than he?
Imagine all the leaders and terrorists of Isis and their
families were gathered in one city, like Nineveh. How tempting to bomb them
all. I’d vote for it! These people behead innocent people, just like the Ninevites
did! Lord, let fire from the sky rain down upon them! This was Jonah’s attitude. It is
also the attitude of many believers today toward such wicked people. It was
also the attitude of James and John. They were angry that the Samaritans wouldn’t
receive Jesus, so they asked if they could call down a heavenly air strike upon
them (fire from the sky, as Elijah did on his enemies- 1 Kings 1:10-15). But
Jesus rebuked them for this (Luke 9:51-56). They certainly didn’t share His
heart, for He did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. Sadly many
believers don’t share the Lord’s heart for lost people. Jonah certainly didn’t.
He would rather die than see them live. But
the Lord “is not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9. The Lord himself declares, “I take no pleasure in the death of the
wicked” Ez.33:11.
Now, I’m not saying that Isis and terrorists should not be
eliminated. They should. Governments are supposed to protect their people. My
point is pointing at my callous heart. Like Jonah, I haven’t given a rip or a prayer about their souls.
They deserve hell. Yes, hardened wicked people deserve hell. But I deserve hell
too. Thank You Lord that even when we were still your enemies, you sent your Son
to rescue us! May they repent before they are destroyed by man and then by God. Judgment is coming to the unrepentant. (We will look at that tomorrow.)
So I’ve admitted some things to you and you can psychoanalyze
me. But for now, I’d like you to psychoanalyze Jonah. He’s a piece of work. Many
believe Jonah wrote the book himself. He at least told his story to someone
who wrote it down, revealing much about himself.
1.-So now read Jonah chapter 4. What is he revealing in this last
chapter of the book about himself and God? (Food for thought. In chapter 1, we compared Jonah to the prodigal son turning his back on his father. And in chapter 2, he also repented, seeing how far he had sunk down. But now in ch.4, you might like to psychoanalyze Jonah as more like the older brother of the prodigal. And how did both fathers respond to that hardened son? Just a thought you might wish to explore.)
2.-Write out on your MP3 card- "The Lord…is not wanting
anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9b. Then do the
Did it.
3.-Go to the Contacts tab at the bottom of our GREAT Scoreboard spreadsheet and please fill in your prayer partners names and any other missing contact info. Then do the Did it. Kudos to you who have already done so. If you don't have 2 prayer partners yet, please recruit and send me their names and email addresses. I need your help to help you here. Thanks.
Announcements!
Our next M3 meeting will be back to our originally scheduled date and location- Sunday, April 12th at 3:00 at Jack's. I think he will even be there to let us in :)
3.-Go to the Contacts tab at the bottom of our GREAT Scoreboard spreadsheet and please fill in your prayer partners names and any other missing contact info. Then do the Did it. Kudos to you who have already done so. If you don't have 2 prayer partners yet, please recruit and send me their names and email addresses. I need your help to help you here. Thanks.
Announcements!
Our next M3 meeting will be back to our originally scheduled date and location- Sunday, April 12th at 3:00 at Jack's. I think he will even be there to let us in :)
Today is your birthday! Happy birthday Mike Pagan!
1. In Jonah 4:2 we read: "And he prayed to the LORD and said, "O LORD, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster."
ReplyDeleteJonah acknowledges that God is merciful and full of grace but only likes that when it is exted to him and not the Ninivites. He is very angry because he feels he is better than them and that he does deserve God's love but Nineveh deserves destruction thus showing his self-centers ness and hypocrisy.
In the end God questions Jonah's anger over the destruction of the plant yet he not concerned for the souls of 120.000.
How thankful I am for God's love that He extends to all, but only the ones that accept it are spared destruction.
God showed grace and compassion back then and continues to do so today. May we have compassion for the lost knowing that there is nothing good in us to deserve God's love but it is because of his grace that we are saved.
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Brother Roger, well said "How thankful I am for God's love that He extends to all, but only the ones that accept it are spared destruction." God bless you brother :-)
DeleteAmen. Good word Roger. I too am very thankful that His lI've extends to us all.
DeleteYour words are spot on Roger- "He is very angry because he feels he is better than them" This is the corrupt root from which racism and all bigotry grows.
DeleteWell said brother. Thank you for leading the way. Can I just copy and paste the answer :). Dido! What he said.
DeleteThank you to everyone for the encouraging words. It really means a lot to me. Blessings to all.
Delete1. "Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city." Jonah 4:5
ReplyDeleteJonah still desired judgement to fall upon the Ninevites, "waited to see what would happen to the city." He was selfish in that he was concerned only about his own needs and disregarded the needs of others.
We have a tendency & preference to sit on the throne of judgement rather than in the seat of mercy and grace. (Matthew 20:1-16)
(Matthew 5:7)
Judgement= Receiving full punishment deserved
Mercy= Receiving less punishment deserved
Grace= Receiving full pardon/forgiveness not deserved
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Love that breakdown Robert. And eye-opening verse. Let us all sit by the throne of mercy and grace.
DeleteWay to break it down Robert. I have to admit that it bothers me when someone of another religion tells me something that they don't even practice or they conveniently choose to follow only what they feel like doing. May God put it in my heart not to judge and be patient with them. I pray that they come to their senses like I did.
DeleteLove your breakdown, simple and understanding. taking last note and copy pasting to my MP3 card
Delete1. "Should I not be concerned about the great city?" That's a question I need to ask myself more. I think God's really speaking to me during this time of fasting about compassion. Even yesterday I listened to a sermon from Ryan Leak. He was teaching on Col. 3. and the new wardrobe we get to wear. The question he posed was, "Why would you LIVE like your old, when Christ died so you can live like your new?" Col. 3:12-14 says that we need to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, forgiveness and wrapped up and unified with love.
ReplyDeleteAnd if you think about it, these traits, these characteristics are all ones that God displays and acts like. And just reading through Jonah again it is ones that are on display througout the whole book. One can argue that the greatest trait on display is compassion.
It Dave's point, I tend to take a Jonah approach when I see wrong doing, evil ways, totally lost, even times when I may feel calloused towards the least of them, but I want a Jesus approach. Because who am I to be angry, or think in a way that God does care or shouldn't care. Like God responded to Jonah, these people in Nineveh where spirituality ignorant, they couldn't let right from wrong, their right hands from their left.
God is concerned about the great city. He's concerned about our city. He's concerned about me and you. He's concerned about the gangbangers, the murders, the thieves, the prostitutes, the wayward! He is concerned with us all so much that He sent Jesus, so that our sins could be forgive.
Lord, I pray that today I would choose to wear compassion covered in love. I want to shine like you and bear your image and be an imitator of you. I know that it probably will be difficult, but I am willing to start one step at a time. Break my heart for what breaks yours and help to make me more concerned for the spiritually ignorant, the broken and let me have no limits to who I love. You didn't God and you still don't.
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Wow Eddie thank you so much for your words, they surely inspire us to seek God's heart of compassion.
DeleteThank you for that great prayer at the end. May it be a prayer that all of us in M3 seek.
Eddie, you inspire me brother! I can see how your love for God is working in your life. Its very admirable and im not just saying that because im suppose to be encouraging. I really mean it. ;)
DeleteI am truly encouraged by your words Eddie. Thank you for your heart, I pray that we may we be more like Jesus and less like us.The theme song for todays message could be
DeleteGod of This City- Chris Tomlin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=cEFGr1S8SkA
1.-Pick one golden phrase you discovered from your reading of Isaiah 52:12-53:12 and share it with us. Put it also on your MP3 card to review and enrich yourself and others today. Isa.53:12 phrase-...."for he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." Jesus took away all the sins of God's children, God gave Jesus as the final sacrificial lamp, for God new that we sinners could not uphold his commands and continue the old law practice of sacrificing animals to cleanse ourselves of sin. During all this Jesus prays for his persecutors to be forgiven for there ignorance of there actions. Wow! Who else but God will give you unconditional love, will always be there for all to come before Him to seek His loving Glory!
ReplyDelete1.-Share with us anything you liked from the above video on the Bible.
Great presentation, clearly refuting all sceptic's of the Bible authenticity. The video gives many prophetic proof given in Bible to show it actually happening many later after in being predicted, as much as 700 hundred years, and still more to become pass. Praying for the salvation of the unbelievers. Thank you Lord for opening my eyes to your Light! Did it
Your blogging's are inspirational and motivational, I look forward to reading them, thank you brother.
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ReplyDelete1.I think chapter 4 reveals Jonas heart. He wants the people of the city of Niniva to be punished. Chapter 4 also reveals the compassionate heart of God, slow to anger and not wanting anybody to parish but to repent.
ReplyDelete2Did it."The Lord…is not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9
Isaiah 53:6
ReplyDeleteWe all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us have turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
I really enjoyed the video on the bible. I loved how it explained the odds of all these prophecies coming true. It answers a lot of questions that non believers might have. Super cool!
1. Isaiah 53:12 Tells as that even though Jesus was without sin he was counted with the
ReplyDeleteSinners so that he would pay t
he price for are sins because God loves he give his for
are for sake.
2. I liked that the video Tell's us how we should live are life from the word of God and that
the bible has been provn true.
has been proven to be ture.
John I am encouraged everyday when I read your posts and see the desire in your heart to follow God. Keep up the good work.
Delete1. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5 NIV)
ReplyDelete2. I enjoyed the video very much, it couldnt have came at a better time. I shared it with my 2nd oldest, he has a lot of questions and I believe this can help answer a few.
Thursday - Day 11...REAP...Explore
ReplyDelete1. Isaiah 53:11, after he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
2. After viewing the video on the Bible, I feel like a new believer full of hope and strength to have a purpose in life to be a manly men of Christ. I should share with fellow men the important of reading the Bible and leading others to establish a relationship with Our heavenly Father Jesus Christ. What I have learned that the B.I.B.L.E. stand for Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth and another abbreviations but I like this one the best. I will continue to read my bible and continue to have faith in God direction in my life through prayer and understanding, to seek his kingdom and righteousness. AMEN.
I'm glad for you new dedication and letting God open your eyes to the importance of His word. May God continue to be the lamp that guides your path.
DeleteThanx for sharing brother! Very inspiring!
Delete1.-Pick one golden phrase you discovered from your reading of Isaiah 52:12-53:12 and share it with us. Put it also on your MP3 card to review and enrich yourself and others today.
ReplyDeleteIsaiah 53:11 "After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied." To me this is the most amazing thing. He goes through all this torture and pain and ends with satisfaction.
1.-Share with us anything you liked from the above video on the Bible.
I liked that it answered a lot of questions I still had and questions that non-believers ask me all the time. Very helpful.
1) Jonah was selfish and wanted to keep the goodness of God relative to him and his people. He seems to believe that the israelites were worthy of the goodness and mercy of God while the Ninivites were not. But in saying that God was merciful and compassionate, slow to become angry, rich in faithful love, and One who relents from sending disaster. Jonah seems to admit his unworthyness of Gods goodness and yet still wants to remain stingy over what is not his, towards those he is not responsible for, and in a situation in which he loses nothing. He is by all intensive purpose's the very opposite of "a man of God" and yet in God using him we see even more of Gods gresat mercy.
ReplyDeleteb) God seems to be the contrasted opposite of Jonah He cares for creatures he does not need and are dependent on Him for survival. It is His responsibility to rectify the evil comitted. I believe it shows the character of the love of God; Here we have God extending kindness to a group of people who have only been hostle towards his ways, and disrespectful to his person, they do not at the time of kindness have within them a desire for virtue. But yet it is Gods hope if you will to accept His kindness because it gives Him joy to restore and gladness to forgive the repentant.
1. God proves over and over again that he is faithful, slow to anger and forgives us, but he also gave Jonah a trial as he provided shade to see if Jonah's heart was true--then he took it away when he realized that Jonah continued to flip flop. Jonah didn't really forgive Nineveh's people in his heart and that is 1 of the hardest sins to rid yourself of--forgiveness as well as judgement. He forgot a lot of what he had learned over his life and became vengeful.
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Jack God is in charge and His will, will be done. I pray for His great hand be felt on your shoulder during this time.
Delete1- Even though Jonah did what God wanted him to do he still had little faith in the Lord's work. He did not give all he has done for God to God. Plus he held resentment against the people of Nineveh City. It appears that he still had depression going on as well.
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Happy B-day Mike
DeleteAwesome to see your consistency brother, even on your Birthday. I hope you had a blessed birthday my brother :)
Delete1) What I feel is revealed about Jonah is that he wants his own will to be done not Gods will. Gods thought are not our thoughts. God knows what he is doing. We just need to trust him. What's amazing about the ending of the book of Jonah is it had me saying what happen next? The word of God is perfect.
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1.Isaiah 53:5 ESV But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
ReplyDeleteHe was sacrificed for are sins so that we may have peace.
2. Really informative video Dave. A lot of history I did not know about the bible. I'm definitely going to share this video. Thanks Dave!
Jonah was not humbled by his sins. He went to see the destruction of the Ninevites not the grace that God provided. I pray that we see through God' s eyes and see the hope he saw in us. I pray that we step out of our comfort zone and apply God's grace and love to others. It is His city and not ours. May His will be done. May we be the hands and feet.
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Well pit bro Sam "he went to see the destruct of Nineveh, not the grace that God provided".
DeleteThere are a lot of contrasts between God and His reluctant prophet Jonah. Jonah was extremely angry that the Nineties listened, believed and repented to God's message. Jonah was also angry with God that He did not bring calamity upon the Ninevites. Jonah seemed to be prejudice against these gentile Assyrians. God however showed patience, care and mercy by sending Jonah to warn them. Jonah wanted the Ninevites destroyed without mercy. God wanted the Ninevites to turn from the destruction He would bring upon them for their wickedness. Jonah was uncaring, selfish and only wanted his way to the point that if he didn't get his way, he didn't want to live anymore. God, though greatly offended by the great wickedness of the people of Nineveh, showed care and compassion on the people by sending a prophet to warn them about the coming calamity and desiring for them to repent.
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Excellent points Dave :) I love the way you study the scriptures for such insight, my brother :)
Delete1
ReplyDeleteThe most interesting thing to question Jonah on is that "He would Die for a plant." This sounds sacrifical similar to the gospel and his anger was enough to sacrifice himself. HOwever at the same time his heart was so cold yet while he saw truth in God's example he did not turn to the people that he obediently preached to, the ones who needed the true definition of love. Our lives cannot be taken out of balance like Jonah's. As in Dave's evample it can be very easy to focus our attention on a person or people group becaus of a trip wire or a snare. The vinidication should only come from God, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Rom 12:19.
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1.-Pick one golden phrase you discovered from your reading of Isaiah 52:12-53:12 and share it with us. Put it also on your MP3 card to review and enrich yourself and others today.
ReplyDeleteIsaiah 53:6
“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way;
and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
2.-Share with us anything you liked from the above video on the Bible.
I liked how the narrator explained to the skeptic that you can find anything in the Bible that will help you how to live. Many of us forget and try to solve our problems without seeking help from God but the answer is in the Bible.
1. Chapter reveals to me about our heavenly Father of how all merciful God is, abounding in love, rich in His mercy and kindness and just this relentless pursuit for Nineveh to come to repentance. Yet we have in total contrast the person that God sent Jonah to be that representative aka prophet to come and show that to the Ninevites. Instead revealed just how much hate he had for Ninevites and just how selfish Jonah was that he wanted all them to perish But didn't get what he wanted and would rather die ch.4 v.3.. God responded *in my words* who are you to judge, for God forgave Jonah for his own sin and disobedience. (v.4 Lord responded, is it right for you to get angry?)
ReplyDeleteWhat I can take from this is that I'm not the final judge and who am I to judge anyone for I am as guilty as the next. That I have no right to say your going to hell or heaven, instead I can be that image of abounding in love,show compassion and mercy to oneself and point them to the cross.
1.-Pick one golden phrase you discovered from your reading of Isaiah 52:12-53:12 and share it with us. Put it also on your MP3 card to review and enrich yourself and others today.
ReplyDeleteIsaiah 53:6
All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the LORD laid on him
the sins of us all.
2.-Share with us anything you liked from the above video on the Bible.
I liked some of the facts that were pointed out like there were over 60 prophecies made about Jesus and how it points out how the Bible is still relevant today.
George, I love your consistency studying the word of God! May the Lord continue to grow you into an awesome warrior of God :)
Delete1. Question: What is he revealing in this last chapter of the book about himself and God? That he and God are extreme opposites! I love what Dave G writes, when he stated, "It’s not enough to outwardly obey God; the Lord wants us to share His heart of compassion for people. Without love, we are nothing- certainly nothing like God." This statement is perfect, and I personally feel the same way too much :( Oh God, give me more of a compassionate heart for the lost, please help me Lord, to have a heart of compassion and Mercy! 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 comes to mind, when it says, " If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing."
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Great thoughts brother. Keep being unstoppable!
Delete1.-Pick one golden phrase you discovered from your reading of Isaiah 52:12-53:12 and share it with us. Put it also on your MP3 card to review and enrich yourself and others today.
ReplyDelete"But he was pierced for our trangressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5
2.-Share with us anything you liked from the above video on the Bible.
"It is said every time an archeologist’s shovel is turned, another skeptic of the Bible is buried.”
Great quote from the video. I’m amazed at all the things that survived thousands of years buried in the ground.
DeleteHi Alex, I like that one :)
Delete"It is said every time an archaeologist’s shovel is turned, another skeptic of the Bible is buried.”