[0.00 --> 6.02] Well, good morning again. A number of weeks ago when I first came, I said I was going to [6.02 --> 11.62] share four messages on the book of Jonah, and today is message number four. [12.78 --> 19.08] And before we read from Jonah chapter four, just a reminder that I also challenged in the very [19.08 --> 26.22] first sermon for you to think about where was there a parallel story in the New Testament [26.22 --> 31.98] that would teach a similar lesson, and I hope you've thought about that over the last number [31.98 --> 37.48] of weeks, and towards the end of the sermon, I'll share what I think is that parallel story [37.48 --> 45.34] that arises out of the story of Jonah, but also out of the nature of the story and the [45.34 --> 47.40] structure of the story itself. [47.40 --> 54.40] I wonder if you've ever been asked a probing question. [54.40 --> 63.24] Now, that's probably happened to you, whether or not it's apparent, why did you do that? [63.24 --> 71.80] Or a teacher in an oral examination who says to you, please provide me three reasons for [71.80 --> 78.14] the outbreak of, say, the Second World War. [78.14 --> 84.68] Or perhaps at a job interview, just like was alluded to with Pastor Chris. [84.68 --> 96.10] Well, what passage of Scripture would you use to encourage people to step forward into a task? [96.10 --> 101.44] Or perhaps a police officer pulls you over and say, what's your hurry? [101.44 --> 104.44] And you have to think. [104.44 --> 115.76] See, a probing question is by its nature a question that strives towards understanding. [115.76 --> 125.38] It wants to make you go a little deeper and search out matters a little more thoroughly. [125.38 --> 127.72] So we have been looking at the story of Jonah. [127.72 --> 135.52] There are many questions that you could ask about Jonah the person, Jonah the prophet, Jonah [135.52 --> 136.86] the writer. [136.86 --> 138.46] Did he write the book himself? [138.46 --> 140.14] Did he relate the book to others? [140.14 --> 147.58] Those are all probing, biblical study, theological questions. [147.58 --> 151.12] Or one could ask the question, summarize the book of Jonah. [151.12 --> 153.12] And you can do it this way. [153.12 --> 155.40] Jonah ran. [155.40 --> 157.46] Jonah repented. [157.46 --> 161.18] Jonah preached repentance. [161.18 --> 164.64] Jonah ranted and raved. [164.64 --> 165.74] Jonah with R's. [165.74 --> 167.46] Jonah ran. [167.46 --> 169.46] Jonah repented. [169.46 --> 172.24] Jonah preached repentance. [172.24 --> 177.12] Jonah ranted and raved. [177.12 --> 184.98] And then you could be asked a more probing question, is that really what the story is about? [184.98 --> 193.70] Maybe you should say, if you run, you cannot hide from the God of the Hebrews because he [193.70 --> 199.18] is the creator of the heavens and the earth and he will send a storm in your way to stop [199.18 --> 201.84] you from running. [201.84 --> 204.30] Or, you know, that's the identity issue. [204.30 --> 207.16] Or the chapter two. [207.16 --> 212.86] When you're going down, look up. [212.86 --> 218.06] And learn that salvation is from the Lord. [218.06 --> 221.76] Or in chapter three. [221.76 --> 228.70] When you are given a second chance, take it. [228.70 --> 233.32] And Jonah was told again, and then he went and he preached repentance. [233.32 --> 236.56] Well, what would we say about chapter four? [236.56 --> 238.70] Well, let's take, let's read chapter four. [238.70 --> 244.66] And I want to begin by reading the last verse of chapter three. [244.66 --> 250.84] Now chapter three gives the story of Jonah going to preach repentance in Nineveh. [250.84 --> 258.32] And there is this collective response from the citizens of Nineveh, from the king to the least [258.32 --> 263.36] person in terms of the social economic strata. [263.36 --> 267.08] They're all wearing sackcloth and ashes. [267.08 --> 269.08] And then chapter three ends with these words. [269.08 --> 276.32] When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented. [276.84 --> 278.40] Take a note of that word. [278.82 --> 283.86] He relented and did not bring on them the destructions he had threatened. [285.24 --> 289.46] But to Jonah, this seemed very wrong. [289.86 --> 291.62] And he became angry. [291.62 --> 298.70] Let me just stop there for a moment and point out that you could translate the Hebrew to [298.70 --> 302.86] Jonah, this seemed to be evil. [305.38 --> 308.78] To say this seemed to be wrong misses the point. [308.78 --> 311.16] Now, what is evil? [311.46 --> 312.40] What is wrong? [312.74 --> 316.02] Well, the relenting of God. [317.50 --> 319.42] The relenting of God. [319.42 --> 322.00] To Jonah, this seemed very wrong. [322.10 --> 323.14] And he became angry. [323.82 --> 329.58] And he prayed to the Lord, isn't this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home, that [329.58 --> 332.74] this is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish? [333.18 --> 341.72] I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God [341.72 --> 344.16] who relents from sending calamity. [344.16 --> 348.86] Now, Lord, take away my life. [349.32 --> 352.18] For it is better for me to die than to live. [354.24 --> 360.54] But the Lord replied, probing, is it right for you to be angry? [361.84 --> 365.86] Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. [366.44 --> 371.60] There he made himself a shelter, sat in a shade, and waited to see what would happen to the city. [371.60 --> 379.30] Then the Lord provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort. [379.58 --> 381.96] And Jonah was very happy about the plant. [382.90 --> 389.08] But at dawn the next day, God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. [389.08 --> 397.16] When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah's head so that he grew faint. [397.72 --> 403.26] He wanted to die and said, it would be better for me to die than to live. [404.06 --> 411.06] But God said to Jonah, probing, is it right for you to be angry about the plant? [411.06 --> 415.70] It is, he said, and I am so angry, I wish I were dead. [416.92 --> 422.72] But the Lord said, you have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. [423.30 --> 425.84] It sprang up overnight and died overnight. [427.42 --> 428.60] Notice it's a question. [428.60 --> 444.54] This is the word of the Lord. [445.70 --> 448.54] Have you ever been asked a probing question? [449.74 --> 454.12] Well, Jonah gets asked three probing questions. [454.12 --> 456.26] He answers two. [456.72 --> 458.82] He doesn't answer the third. [459.88 --> 460.92] That is left. [462.08 --> 469.76] He answers the first one by going out and sitting east of the city. [470.58 --> 472.30] And the question is, why? [472.42 --> 473.44] Well, there are hills there. [475.42 --> 479.76] And he could now sit on a hill and look down. [479.76 --> 492.50] Jonah does not articulate anything. [492.64 --> 495.16] Later he will say, yeah, it is right for me to be angry. [495.44 --> 498.98] But in this case, he does not give an answer. [500.52 --> 505.66] But we know that actions speak louder than words. [505.66 --> 512.02] And Jonah's actions have been demonstrated throughout this story. [512.36 --> 514.36] He hears a word and he runs. [514.78 --> 518.16] He gets thrown overboard and swallowed by a huge fish. [518.34 --> 519.78] And he repents. [520.14 --> 523.94] He hears a word and he takes action. [524.94 --> 526.32] He goes and he preaches. [527.32 --> 530.76] And then he watches the compassion of God. [531.58 --> 532.84] And he's mad. [533.68 --> 535.42] He is angry. [535.66 --> 537.96] He is furious. [539.24 --> 539.86] Why? [539.86 --> 543.06] Because God has relented. [544.26 --> 549.92] And Nineveh, in Jonah's judgment, is a nation that ought to be destroyed. [550.64 --> 551.84] They are evil people. [552.20 --> 554.40] They are enemies of Israel. [554.92 --> 556.28] They are a danger. [556.72 --> 564.14] Indeed, a number of decades from this point, Assyria, of which Nineveh was the capital, [564.14 --> 569.34] grew strong enough to take the northern part of Israel into captivity and it disappeared. [569.34 --> 573.54] Jonah wanted them destroyed. [573.54 --> 577.32] And he is angry. [577.32 --> 583.54] And he uses spiritual disciplines to express his anger. [583.54 --> 584.54] He prays to the Lord. [584.54 --> 585.28] He prays to the Lord. [585.28 --> 589.06] And basically he says, I told you so. [590.06 --> 591.30] I told you so. [592.94 --> 597.48] You are a God of compassion and grace. [597.48 --> 599.48] He prays to the Lord. [599.48 --> 600.48] He prays to the Lord. [600.48 --> 601.68] He prays to the Lord. [601.68 --> 603.68] He prays to the Lord. [603.68 --> 604.78] He prays to God. [604.78 --> 605.76] Not to praise him. [605.76 --> 606.88] Not to thank him. [607.88 --> 610.42] But he prays to God to criticize him. [611.90 --> 616.10] And then he uses scripture to buttress his criticism. [616.10 --> 621.86] These words that Jonah uses come from Exodus chapter 34 verses 6 and 7. [621.86 --> 628.92] And that's the particular story where Moses has asked God to reveal himself to Moses. [630.04 --> 631.82] And God says, that's fine. [632.28 --> 637.20] But you can only see my back because you cannot see my face. [637.76 --> 639.22] And we have a song. [639.34 --> 644.48] He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock and covers me there with his hand. [644.48 --> 647.82] So Jonah uses scripture. [649.38 --> 650.44] Makes you think. [651.72 --> 653.88] Makes you probe your own actions. [654.50 --> 656.46] How do I use prayer? [658.14 --> 659.68] How do I use scripture? [660.78 --> 665.62] Timothy Keller in a very provocative book that he has on Jonah called The Prodigal Prophet [665.62 --> 670.84] says that when you use scripture you ought to think very clearly about your use of it. [671.28 --> 673.20] You shouldn't be bludgeoning people with it. [673.20 --> 675.58] You shouldn't be bludgeoning God with it. [676.48 --> 678.60] You shouldn't be using it as a crowbar. [679.66 --> 684.08] You use it as a mirror to reflect upon yourself. [685.18 --> 691.62] And Keller says when you use scripture properly it evokes within you a sense of humility. [691.62 --> 695.70] I know who I am. [696.90 --> 697.80] I'm a sinner. [698.94 --> 700.16] I'm self-centered. [701.12 --> 702.30] I'm a nationalist. [703.14 --> 704.44] I'm a legalist. [704.98 --> 706.88] All of those things Jonah was. [707.34 --> 711.06] Jonah didn't care about the Ninevites as people. [712.16 --> 713.34] They were enemies. [714.10 --> 715.32] A threat to his nation. [716.26 --> 716.94] Get rid of them. [716.94 --> 719.50] He was a legalist. [720.06 --> 721.70] I told you so. [723.06 --> 724.64] He was self-righteous. [725.68 --> 729.46] Well I'm a recipient of grace but they don't deserve it. [730.16 --> 730.90] I do. [731.38 --> 732.16] They don't. [732.16 --> 739.54] Humility is one thing that needs to come when you look at yourself through the scripture. [740.80 --> 742.36] Critique needs to come. [743.32 --> 745.18] I could do this better. [746.26 --> 749.18] You know think we heard this morning the words of Philippians. [749.62 --> 754.30] Have this attitude amongst yourselves which is also the attitude of Christ Jesus. [754.30 --> 761.20] As though he was in the form of God he emptied himself and took on the form of a servant. [762.82 --> 767.64] And you ask yourself how well am I doing in that regard? [767.64 --> 774.08] And then Keller points out one more function of scripture and that is to encourage. [775.36 --> 780.02] To encourage you in your relationship with God because the Lord is your shepherd. [780.64 --> 781.92] The Lord is your father. [782.50 --> 784.42] The Lord wants a relationship with you. [784.88 --> 786.14] He cares for you deeply. [786.14 --> 797.54] And he will probe and confront you as he does me until he gets his way in our lives. [799.82 --> 801.94] Is it right for you to be angry? [804.80 --> 806.36] And Jonah said yeah it is. [808.04 --> 815.42] And I'm thinking that by prayer and by using scripture I can get you to change your mind. [815.42 --> 817.46] So I'm going to go sit in the hills. [818.22 --> 819.34] I'm going to make a shelter. [820.08 --> 821.68] And I'm going to watch what you do. [822.48 --> 827.56] And I will approve if you do a Hiroshima and a Nagasaki on Nineveh. [827.90 --> 833.08] I will approve if you do a Beirut of August 2020 on Nineveh. [833.32 --> 840.48] I will approve if you drop an atomic bomb or if you let ammonia nitrate explode in the middle of that city. [840.72 --> 842.54] And all of those people get destroyed. [842.54 --> 844.32] I will approve. [844.32 --> 847.32] As a matter of fact I will no longer be angry. [850.68 --> 852.26] And then ask yourself. [853.58 --> 857.96] What is my attitude towards people who are different than I? [859.10 --> 860.56] Who challenge me? [861.80 --> 863.80] Who maybe even threaten me? [865.48 --> 869.50] Who would I rather see punished than forgiven? [869.50 --> 875.02] Who would I rather see punished than forgiven? [877.96 --> 883.44] And God comes to Jonah and allows a leafy plant to grow up. [883.50 --> 888.52] We have no idea what sort of plant that is but it must have grown quickly and had broad leaves. [888.52 --> 893.28] And for the first time in the story Jonah is happy. [894.40 --> 899.02] For the first time he gets what he thinks he deserves. [899.98 --> 904.32] For the first time Jonah is appreciative. [905.98 --> 912.20] Because it's cool sitting here waiting to see what will happen. [912.20 --> 919.70] Will there be a Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Beirut dumped upon Nineveh upon these people? [921.78 --> 928.52] And then overnight God sends a worm and the leafy plant dies. [928.98 --> 931.70] And God sends a hot wind. [932.70 --> 934.14] And Jonah grows faint. [934.14 --> 937.82] And Jonah complains. [937.96 --> 943.28] He says it would be better for me to die. [946.74 --> 947.34] Stop. [947.46 --> 948.52] Think about that for a moment. [950.04 --> 954.64] The amount of despair that Jonah feels personally. [954.64 --> 962.02] It is better for me to die than to see the compassion of God at work. [964.34 --> 966.22] It demands reflection. [968.14 --> 971.34] Reflection on myself and in myself. [971.90 --> 976.40] Who would I rather see punished than forgiven? [976.40 --> 981.74] And God comes with a probing question. [981.84 --> 983.10] Is it right for you to be angry? [984.04 --> 985.08] Yes it is. [986.86 --> 987.80] Yes it is. [987.86 --> 990.14] Who are you to ask me a question like that? [990.18 --> 991.70] Because I am uncomfortable. [992.36 --> 993.44] It is hot. [994.08 --> 995.98] And I'm disappointed in you. [996.18 --> 999.66] Because you haven't thrown the bomb yet on those people. [1000.42 --> 1001.60] Yes it is. [1003.74 --> 1005.06] You ever felt that way? [1006.40 --> 1008.24] Justified in your anger? [1009.54 --> 1014.76] Justified in your judgment on people you would rather see destroyed than forgiven? [1016.76 --> 1018.30] I think we all have. [1019.24 --> 1024.32] It is hard to read the history of the Second World War and not to be angry. [1025.40 --> 1030.18] Not to be angry at the blatant destruction of about 10 million people. [1030.84 --> 1032.52] 6 million of whom were Jews. [1033.08 --> 1036.18] And they were executed simply because of their ethnicity. [1036.40 --> 1044.40] And about 4 million were people whether they were gypsies or people with social and physical calamity. [1045.32 --> 1050.32] Or people who were just not of the right color to fit in. [1050.32 --> 1063.80] And when I look at that from a historical personal perspective I think I'd rather see those folks who did that executed than forgiven. [1063.80 --> 1076.72] Except then that famous phrase there but for the grace of God go I kicks in. [1078.72 --> 1082.64] There but for the grace of God go I. [1082.64 --> 1083.32] There but for the grace of God go I. [1083.32 --> 1084.12] There but for the grace of God. [1084.24 --> 1086.48] Is it right for you to end, I think I would rather see my sin and will be angry. [1086.48 --> 1087.94] Yes it is. [1088.02 --> 1093.48] It is better for me now to die than to live. [1093.48 --> 1096.66] this is not a casual feeling [1096.66 --> 1099.10] this is something that's rooted [1099.10 --> 1100.20] deep [1100.20 --> 1102.10] within Jonah [1102.10 --> 1107.14] and then God asks [1107.14 --> 1109.22] another question [1109.22 --> 1113.06] he makes Jonah consider [1113.06 --> 1115.06] and I've got to get the wording right on this [1115.06 --> 1116.72] he makes Jonah consider [1116.72 --> 1119.64] the character of God [1119.64 --> 1122.66] notice this [1122.66 --> 1124.22] and should I not [1124.22 --> 1125.74] have concern [1125.74 --> 1128.36] for the great city of Nineveh [1128.36 --> 1130.18] in which there are more than [1130.18 --> 1131.94] 120,000 people [1131.94 --> 1134.64] who cannot tell their right hand from their left [1134.64 --> 1136.90] and also many animals [1136.90 --> 1138.96] should [1138.96 --> 1140.20] I [1140.20 --> 1142.26] not have [1142.26 --> 1143.32] concern [1143.32 --> 1148.54] now Jonah has [1148.54 --> 1150.56] to make a switch he's no longer [1150.56 --> 1152.00] thinking about himself [1152.00 --> 1154.44] and about his anger [1154.44 --> 1157.84] he now has to think [1157.84 --> 1161.12] because of this probing question [1161.12 --> 1163.58] about the character [1163.58 --> 1165.22] of God [1165.22 --> 1170.30] should I not have concern [1170.30 --> 1174.94] God lays out a few details [1174.94 --> 1177.24] it is a great city [1177.24 --> 1180.78] it is an expansive city [1180.78 --> 1182.62] and in that city there are [1182.62 --> 1185.04] hundreds of thousands of people [1185.04 --> 1189.22] 120,000 of whom [1189.22 --> 1191.22] do not know their right hand [1191.22 --> 1192.62] from their left hand [1192.62 --> 1194.56] in other words [1194.56 --> 1195.60] their kids [1195.60 --> 1198.32] their little kids [1198.32 --> 1201.16] there was an amazing [1201.16 --> 1203.50] picture on the news this week [1203.50 --> 1206.36] about the explosion in Beirut [1206.36 --> 1207.88] a father was filming [1207.88 --> 1209.94] as his wife was [1209.94 --> 1213.18] being rolled into the delivery room [1213.18 --> 1214.98] for their first child [1214.98 --> 1216.44] to be born [1216.44 --> 1217.72] and just as [1217.72 --> 1219.10] the gurney [1219.10 --> 1220.68] went into the delivery room [1220.68 --> 1222.12] the explosion took place [1222.12 --> 1224.60] and you see the whole delivery room structure [1224.60 --> 1225.56] just collapse [1226.12 --> 1227.98] and there is glass [1227.98 --> 1229.02] all over the place [1229.02 --> 1229.98] and there is dust [1229.98 --> 1230.56] and debris [1230.56 --> 1231.46] all over the place [1231.46 --> 1232.42] this had been [1232.42 --> 1233.40] I would assume [1233.40 --> 1234.96] a fairly sterile [1234.96 --> 1236.28] situation [1236.28 --> 1240.04] father got up [1240.04 --> 1242.72] child was born [1242.72 --> 1243.92] they named him George [1243.92 --> 1248.16] and it got on the national news [1248.16 --> 1250.12] the Canadian national news [1250.12 --> 1253.90] because of a remarkable moment [1253.90 --> 1255.52] but you know George [1255.52 --> 1257.52] who is now less than a week old [1257.52 --> 1260.02] George doesn't know his right hand [1260.02 --> 1261.12] from his left hand [1261.12 --> 1264.18] George doesn't even know his name [1264.18 --> 1266.78] George doesn't know [1266.78 --> 1268.12] that his picture [1268.12 --> 1269.70] has been broadcast [1269.70 --> 1270.96] around the world [1270.96 --> 1273.78] George just knows [1273.78 --> 1275.52] when his diaper is wet [1275.52 --> 1276.80] and his stomach is empty [1276.80 --> 1279.10] that's what George knows [1279.10 --> 1280.68] and George knows [1280.68 --> 1281.48] that his mother [1281.48 --> 1283.20] seems to be the source [1283.20 --> 1285.26] and answer to his most immediate needs [1285.26 --> 1286.20] and every once in a while [1286.20 --> 1287.26] dad shows up too [1287.26 --> 1289.42] that's what George knows [1289.42 --> 1294.48] his parents are concerned for him [1294.48 --> 1299.22] God is concerned for him [1299.22 --> 1302.82] should he not be concerned [1302.82 --> 1304.88] for people who do not know [1304.88 --> 1305.84] their right hand [1305.84 --> 1307.26] from their left hand [1307.26 --> 1309.70] and of course we say [1309.70 --> 1311.24] of course you should be concerned [1311.24 --> 1313.02] and then he says [1313.02 --> 1315.94] and there are many animals besides [1315.94 --> 1319.06] many animals besides [1319.06 --> 1321.82] you know soon it will be Thanksgiving [1321.82 --> 1323.84] it's only a couple months away [1323.84 --> 1325.68] and a song will sing [1325.68 --> 1327.04] let all things now living [1327.04 --> 1328.38] a song of thanksgiving [1328.38 --> 1329.68] to God the creator [1329.68 --> 1331.84] triumphantly raise [1331.84 --> 1334.04] who fashioned and made us [1334.04 --> 1336.06] protected and stayed us [1336.06 --> 1338.26] who guides us and leads us [1338.26 --> 1340.78] to the ends of our days [1340.78 --> 1342.86] God's concerned for us [1342.86 --> 1345.02] but he's concerned for all [1345.02 --> 1347.44] living things [1347.44 --> 1353.32] should I not be concerned [1353.32 --> 1357.70] and I look [1357.70 --> 1359.42] and I listen [1359.42 --> 1361.84] to the needs in the world [1361.84 --> 1365.30] and should I not be concerned [1365.30 --> 1367.62] as an image bearer of God [1367.62 --> 1371.44] Jonah sat outside the city [1371.44 --> 1372.78] and waited [1372.78 --> 1376.84] Jesus stood outside the city [1376.84 --> 1378.48] and wept [1378.48 --> 1381.20] how I would have gathered you [1381.20 --> 1382.80] as a hen gathers her chicks [1382.80 --> 1384.12] under her wings [1384.12 --> 1387.80] but you would not [1387.80 --> 1389.16] but he didn't get angry [1389.16 --> 1392.36] he just kept writing [1392.36 --> 1394.72] until they arrested him [1394.72 --> 1395.84] crucified him [1395.84 --> 1396.84] buried him [1396.84 --> 1399.38] and then he confronted them [1399.38 --> 1400.00] with saying [1400.00 --> 1401.16] there's a new day [1401.16 --> 1402.94] a new day [1402.94 --> 1403.88] a new day has dawned [1403.88 --> 1406.32] and we're going to celebrate life [1406.32 --> 1408.52] and the message of salvation [1408.52 --> 1410.16] comes to the world [1410.16 --> 1411.44] through the Jews [1411.44 --> 1413.12] but it is for all people [1413.12 --> 1414.82] regardless of ethnicity [1414.82 --> 1415.88] and race [1415.88 --> 1418.50] it is for all people [1418.50 --> 1421.58] regardless of social economic status [1421.58 --> 1424.40] it is for all people [1424.40 --> 1428.02] regardless of gender orientation [1428.02 --> 1431.60] it is for those [1431.60 --> 1432.60] who are made [1432.60 --> 1433.64] in the image [1433.64 --> 1434.70] of my father [1434.70 --> 1435.38] salvation [1435.38 --> 1437.26] is from [1437.26 --> 1438.64] the Lord [1438.64 --> 1442.08] but notice [1442.08 --> 1444.82] that Jonah has [1444.82 --> 1446.18] no reply [1446.18 --> 1448.30] to the question [1448.30 --> 1449.76] should I [1449.76 --> 1450.44] not [1450.44 --> 1451.02] be [1451.02 --> 1451.80] concerned [1451.80 --> 1453.40] there's no answer [1453.40 --> 1456.02] and here's the key [1456.02 --> 1457.28] anybody have an idea [1457.28 --> 1458.22] you can speak up [1458.22 --> 1460.06] what story I'm thinking of [1460.06 --> 1462.08] in terms of the New Testament [1462.08 --> 1463.00] that parallels [1463.00 --> 1465.02] the Old Testament story of Jonah [1465.02 --> 1467.96] the prodigal son [1467.96 --> 1469.98] or the parable of the waiting father [1469.98 --> 1471.90] Jonah 1 and 2 [1471.90 --> 1473.74] is the story of Jonah running [1473.74 --> 1475.76] and repenting [1475.76 --> 1479.10] the story of the youngest son [1479.10 --> 1481.60] chapters 3 and 4 [1481.60 --> 1483.42] is the story of the oldest son [1483.42 --> 1485.84] who rants and raves [1485.84 --> 1487.26] at his father's generosity [1487.26 --> 1489.72] and his father goes out to him [1489.72 --> 1490.92] and invites him to come in [1490.92 --> 1491.68] but [1491.68 --> 1493.10] we're not told [1493.10 --> 1495.48] if the oldest son comes in or not [1495.48 --> 1498.66] and we're not told [1498.66 --> 1501.04] what Jonah's reaction is [1501.04 --> 1504.04] and there is a clear reason for it [1504.04 --> 1505.78] because I'm Jonah [1505.78 --> 1508.24] and you're Jonah [1508.24 --> 1512.72] and we need to answer God's probing question [1512.72 --> 1516.66] is it right for you to be angry [1516.66 --> 1520.88] should I not be concerned [1520.88 --> 1524.30] answer this question [1524.30 --> 1526.18] who would you rather see judged [1526.18 --> 1526.98] and condemned [1526.98 --> 1529.68] rather than forgiven [1529.68 --> 1533.54] and God comes and he says [1533.54 --> 1535.14] I sent my son [1535.14 --> 1538.34] and he endured the cross [1538.34 --> 1539.70] why? [1539.84 --> 1541.02] well the book of Hebrews says [1541.02 --> 1543.12] for the joy that was set before him [1543.12 --> 1546.12] so that he might be able to gather [1546.12 --> 1548.96] the Jonas of this world in [1548.96 --> 1552.38] along with all the repentant people [1552.38 --> 1555.04] regardless of their background [1555.04 --> 1557.56] regardless of their color [1557.56 --> 1559.96] regardless of their language [1559.96 --> 1561.60] regardless of [1561.60 --> 1563.02] and you fill in the blank [1563.02 --> 1565.06] that I might gather [1565.06 --> 1566.30] for God so [1566.30 --> 1567.24] loved [1567.24 --> 1568.36] the world [1568.36 --> 1571.12] there is a [1571.12 --> 1572.06] commentator [1572.06 --> 1573.28] who says [1573.28 --> 1574.58] the book of Jonah [1574.58 --> 1575.34] was written [1575.34 --> 1576.18] by Jonah [1576.18 --> 1576.74] who told [1576.74 --> 1577.72] either by himself [1577.72 --> 1579.08] or who told the story [1579.08 --> 1579.90] to a secretary [1579.90 --> 1581.02] who wrote it down [1581.02 --> 1583.10] in order to share [1583.10 --> 1583.94] with his people [1583.94 --> 1585.80] that he got it [1585.80 --> 1586.40] in the end [1586.40 --> 1587.78] and that's why [1587.78 --> 1588.80] he shared the story [1588.80 --> 1591.52] that's a nice way [1591.52 --> 1592.32] to think about it [1592.32 --> 1592.90] I think [1592.90 --> 1595.46] but I want to ask [1595.46 --> 1597.60] what is your response [1597.60 --> 1599.36] as I need to ask [1599.36 --> 1600.56] what is my response [1600.56 --> 1601.52] to the quote [1601.52 --> 1603.36] probing question of God [1603.36 --> 1608.32] should I not be concerned [1608.32 --> 1611.52] and God's concerned [1611.52 --> 1612.06] for me [1612.06 --> 1614.28] he's concerned [1614.28 --> 1614.86] for you [1614.86 --> 1617.24] he sent his son [1617.24 --> 1619.04] so that we might [1619.04 --> 1619.80] call him [1619.80 --> 1621.38] our father [1621.38 --> 1622.18] let's pray [1622.18 --> 1624.08] father God [1624.08 --> 1624.90] we thank you [1624.90 --> 1627.22] thank you for the story [1627.22 --> 1628.64] and for all the thinking [1628.64 --> 1629.46] it provokes [1629.46 --> 1630.44] to us [1630.44 --> 1631.32] in our lives [1631.32 --> 1633.38] it is our prayer [1633.38 --> 1634.02] Lord God [1634.02 --> 1634.62] that as [1634.62 --> 1635.88] we reflect on it [1635.88 --> 1636.92] in days ahead [1636.92 --> 1638.64] that you would [1638.64 --> 1639.72] help us to see [1639.72 --> 1640.38] and understand [1640.38 --> 1641.10] the depth [1641.10 --> 1641.94] and the dimensions [1641.94 --> 1643.50] of your amazing grace [1643.50 --> 1644.90] and the fact [1644.90 --> 1645.98] that in Christ [1645.98 --> 1647.50] we are set free [1647.50 --> 1648.58] from all the chains [1648.58 --> 1649.48] that bind us [1649.48 --> 1651.62] we pray that we may [1651.62 --> 1653.16] grow into that freedom [1653.16 --> 1654.96] that we may become [1654.96 --> 1656.34] celebrative of it [1656.34 --> 1658.14] and that we may be able [1658.14 --> 1658.86] to demonstrate [1658.86 --> 1659.64] that freedom [1659.64 --> 1661.14] the attitudes [1661.14 --> 1662.32] and the behaviors [1662.32 --> 1663.34] that we have [1663.34 --> 1665.46] attitudes and behaviors [1665.46 --> 1666.38] that honor you [1666.38 --> 1667.48] and glorify Jesus [1667.48 --> 1669.08] for the great gift [1669.08 --> 1670.16] of amazing grace [1670.16 --> 1671.46] in his name we pray [1671.46 --> 1673.00] amen [1673.00 --> 1675.40] to give you特別 [1675.54 --> 1676.42] upon [1676.42 --> 1678.38] shand [1678.38 --> 1680.18] and [1680.18 --> 1682.26] to [1683.60 --> 1683.74] listen [1683.74 --> 1686.12] to [1688.78 --> 1689.16] and [1689.16 --> 1690.76] you