Jonah Had a Big Problem

Bad religion. God addressed this nuanced problem (bad religion) through a young man by the name of, Jonah. It seems Jonah loved his religion, more than his religion’s God. One small thing out of order can create an ugly chain of negative consequences. At least, that’s what happened to Jonah.

If we can draw your student into the drama of Jonah’s dilemma, they won’t notice they are learning Hebrew . . . but they are.

It boils down to a simple definition: idolatry, means giving someone, or something, more prominence than it deserves—including religion. Proper priorities are paramount to the God of Israel. That was made clear in the second commandment, regarding idolatry. (Ex 22:20; 1Sam 15:23; Eph 5:5)

What poor Jonah had yet to learn was, religion is a very small venue to a very large God—larger than any one man’s interpretation. The great sages have discovered: the more we learn, the smaller we feel. And in that, there is no shame. To the contrary, even an imperfect religion can be a noble path—until you run out of road. The Mosaic Law was a fine for centuries . . . until Jesus infused THE LETTER OF THE LAW, WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW.

Jonah felt Nineveh, a foreign nation, was unworthy of an Israelite prophet. Then, Jonah resented Nineveh’s repentance, given Israel was currently in the grips of false worship and wholly unrepentant. How painful for Jonah to see Yahweh’s favorable response to Nineveh and His unfavorable response to Israel. But, unknown to Jonah, unfaithful Israel was only decades away from a terrible judgment: exile.

Little did Jonah realize, the driving instrument of God’s coming exile was being prepared--humbled. Yahweh had already chosen Assyria as the instrument to remove the Israelites. Later, Assyria would be described as a "rod of punishment" and Jonah (unknowingly) was helping to humble them so they (Assyria) wouldn't be too harsh on God's children--Israel. (Isa 10:5)