Obadiah, Jonah

“For I knew that Thou art a gracious and compassionate God …” (Jonah 4:2).  While every other Old Testament prophet rejoiced that God is “gracious and compassionate” (Joel 2:13), Jonah complained about it.  Jonah was called to warn Nineveh that God was going to judge them for their wickedness (ch 1).  He tried to avoid his duty, but eventually reluctantly obeyed.  The people repented, and God forgave them.  Shockingly, this distressed Jonah!  He begged for God’s mercy in the belly of the whale, but he didn’t want it for others.

If we accept God’s mercy, we must extend it to others, because “mercy triumphs over judgment” (Luke 11:4; James 2:13).