Scotch College

Jonah and God&resquo;s Objectionable Mercy Chaplain’s Reflection

We have just begun a series of Bible readings from the prophet Jonah in Assembly. Surely this is one of the most famous of the Old Testament stories, yet surprisingly few of today’s boys know it. There is an astonishing ignorance in society generally about so much that was formerly common knowledge. Then again, one might ask, what value lies in knowing such a quaint old story? What’s the point? There is so much that is important to know nowadays, what value is there in knowing about this character?

Whether one regards the tale of Jonah as history or parable, (and scholars discuss many genres) it is a tale brilliantly and intriguingly told. The story begins with the call of a prophet. God says “Go to Nineveh”, but unlike every other genuine prophet, this one says “No way!” He heads in the other way, to Spain. What was his problem? The most likely answer appears to be that he had no interest in being the voice of God to the foreigners of Nineveh. They were the enemy. If they deserved God’s wrath, let them feel it! So the story of Jonah is about anger; God’s anger with the people of Nineveh, and also, Jonah’s anger with God. From this little book, the very least we can learn is the right and wrong ways of being angry.

At the beginning of the story, God is angry with the inhabitants of Nineveh, and he tells them so – or, at least, asks his prophet to do the job for him. God is explicit about his feelings in this matter. The way they are living is unrighteous, and destructive of human community, it can’t be allowed to continue.

To bring this behaviour to an end the prophet will bring the warning of judgment, when, eventually, he gets there. The people are to be invited to change their ways. So God’s anger is slow to be roused, righteous, and directed at practices which are destructive of human society. And it is direct.

On the other hand, the book ends with an angry Jonah. How angry? “Angry enough to die,” says Jonah. He shows us all the wrong ways to be angry. Jonah is angry because the people repent and are forgiven. God has had mercy yet again! “Damn you God!” thinks Jonah, “I knew you’d do this. You’ve made me look like a fool, and had mercy on our ancient enemies”. Jonah’s anger is immediate, self-righteous and yet expressed indirectly. He is seething inwardly – after all, what dare one say to God?

There are lessons here for us all. We should be slow to express anger, and especially so if we feel enraged, or have lost our temper. We should ask ourselves, “Why do I feel angry?” If the answer is that we have been personally slighted, than we should let it go. If there is an issue worth defending, then perhaps we are right to be angry, but we need to take great care at this point.

Finally, if we are sure our anger or indignation is righteous then it should be expressed directly and in such a way as to allow a response. We may have to be gracious and forgiving when things are clarified. It is said that “revenge is sweet”, but mercy is the real challenge.

Graham Bradbeer