BACKFIRED

Jonah 4:1-11; Ps 86 Lord, you are merciful and gracious; Luke 11:1-4

Today we finally discover Jonah's motivation for preaching to the people of Nineveh.  Has you read the story, after Jonah is spit up on the shore and decides to do what God  ask, the thought comes that perhaps Jonah had enough.  Perhaps Jonah is doing the right thing for the right reason.

Perhaps Jonah has had a change of heart.

But it turns out Jonah was doing it for his own sorted gain.  He wasn't preaching to people because God asked him to bring about their conversion;  he was preaching in hopes that they would be destroyed.

He was hoping they wouldn't listen then he could sit back watch them get what they deserved.

Yet, it backfired.


What Jonah hoped would happen didn't.  What he didn't want to happen did.

And now He is pissed.

Today we begin our reading of the story of Jonah with these words, "Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry that God did not carry out the evil he threatened against Nineveh."

Have you ever been angry with God for being merciful?

God's response is right to the point, "Have you any reason to be angry?"

Do we really have any reason to be angry?  Truly, do we have one reason to be angry?

How often do we do the right thing for the wrong reason only to have back fire?

Today seek to purify your intention.  Today rejoice in God's mercy.  Let your anger subside.