Jonah was a Hebrew prophet (2 Kings 14:25). He lived during a time when the neighboring Assyrian empire was threatening Israel. Jonah had no regard for the Assyrian empire. For that reason, when God told Jonah to preach against them in Nineveh, Jonah had a spiritual crisis.

Jonah somehow knew that preaching in Nineveh was an act of grace from God, who even showed compassion on the Ninevites, of all people (4:2). But now God’s compassion did not agree with Jonah’s contempt for such people. As a result, he did what he felt was better than God’s plan: He ran away.

Jonah wrestled with the idea that God’s love extended beyond his own limits. What if I am wrong about who I think God should condemn rather than show mercy to? Would it be too much of a stretch to believe and accept God’s grace for such a person?
Application: Lord, I like to fiercely hold on to my own version of you that agrees with me. Humble me to accept your grace towards those I don’t agree with.
One Word: Be challenged by God’s grace