Throughout this story it is hard to be impressed with Jonah. But it isn't until the last chapter that we really feel like we know the extent of his problems. "Though Jonah hardly comes across as a hero anywhere in the book, he appears especially selfish, petty, temperamental, and even downright foolish" in this last chapter.
By contrast, God shows himself to be a master-teacher. The final chapter is organized around three divine questions. The first two are preliminary or set-up questions. Both times God asks Jonah if he has any right to be angry over God's providence. The first time Jonah refuses to answer. God later repeats the question. And Jonah's ridiculous answer sets the backdrop for the final lesson that God is teaching. God doesn't record Jonah's response to his final question. The question is clearly more for us than for him; it remains to be answered by everyone who hears it.
God's questions draw an angry, narrow-minded, misdirected believer into a painful but fruitful dialogue with the Almighty. It is Jonah's time to hear what God earlier said to Job: "I will question you, and you shall answer me" (Job. 38:3). Jonah does. His answer isn't pretty. But the encounter is one of those painfully real moments that can change lives.
This closing chapter challenges us to be honest with the God who invites us to a life of joyful, satisfying service.
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