We know that Jonah hated the Assyrians because they were Israel’s greatest enemy. Jonah knew that God would show them mercy and forgiveness if they repented and turned from their evil ways. To make a long story short…they did repent. God showed them compassion and mercy…and this made Jonah beside himself with anger…the last thing he wanted was for his nation’s enemy to be pardoned!
I so encourage you to go to your Bible and reread the book of Jonah…this time, I think you’ll be able to see Jonah’s attitude towards the Assyrians, and I also think it’s a great lesson for all of us: GOD LOVES ALL PEOPLE.
We learn that we can’t limit our focus to only the people we like, and to those who we have something in common with. What about people who rub us the wrong way, or people that have different ideals and beliefs?…A different race or background? God wants us to proclaim His love in our words and in our actions to the whole world. You don’t have to be a missionary traveling the world…our mission field is where God has planted us now. That is… our job, or at school or wherever. You can be a life raft to someone who’s in need of a better way…God’s message of salvation. You may be surprised at how many people will listen.
Jonah thought that God shouldn’t fully give His salvation to a wicked pagan nation. But this is exactly what God does for anyone who repents and comes to Him by faith. Aren’t you glad God doesn’t hold things against us?