Jonah & The Offensive Grace of God

Jonah 4

September 29, 2024

Joel Miles

With a friend, your family or in your small group, discuss the following questions:

1. Summary and Themes of Jonah 1-3

• In your own words, how would you summarize the events of Jonah chapters 1-3? What major themes or lessons stand out to you so far?

    2. Jonah's Anger in Jonah 4:1-3

• Why do you think Jonah is so angry in Jonah 4:1-3? Consider an alternate translation of 4:1: "But to Jonah, this seemed like a great evil, and he became fiercely angry." Where else in the book do we see the words "evil," "great," and "fiercely angry"? Why might that be significant?

     3. Jonah’s Use of Exodus 34:6-7

• Why is it important that Jonah quotes from Exodus 34:6-7, where God reveals His character to Moses? How do God's character and Israel’s mission connect here?

    4. God’s Provision of the Plant (Jonah 4:4-7)

• An alternate translation of Jonah 4:6 reads: "Then the Lord provided a leafy plant... to give shade and deliver Jonah from his evil." What does this suggest about God's view of Jonah’s disgust and anger?

    5. The Plant and Jonah’s Love for Israel (Jonah 4:9-11)

• The plant in Jonah 4 might symbolize Israel. How does this symbolism help explain what God is doing in these verses? How does it reveal Jonah’s heart toward his people versus the Ninevites?

    6. God’s Call vs. Modern Tolerance

• How does God’s command to Jonah differ from modern ideas of tolerance? What is God really asking Jonah to do?

    7. God’s Love for Enemies

• How does God demonstrate love for His enemies throughout the book of Jonah? Where do we see the ultimate example of God pursuing "the other"? How is this opposite to Jonah’s attitude?

    8. Personal Reflection on Enemy-Love

• Who in your life do you feel God is calling you to pursue, even though it’s difficult (or perhaps even offensive)? How can we encourage you to show love to them? What is one practical step you could take this week to pursue them with God’s love?