“The Four Problems of the Prophet” – Jonah 4:1-11
I. Jonah Had a Problem With His Pride (Vs. 1-2)
A. The Strong Passion Of His Anger (1)
1. The Cause Of His Displeasure (1a) “But it displeased Jonah …”
2. The Course Of His Displeasure (1b) “…exceedingly,…”
3. The Conclusion Of His Displeasure (1c) “…and he was very angry.”
B. The Strange Prayer In His Anger (2)
1. Jonah Revealed What He Feared About God While In Israel (2a)
“And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country?”
2. Jonah Revealed Why He Fled From God In Israel (2b) “Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish:”
3. Jonah Revealed What He Found Out About God In Israel (2c-2g)
a. He Knew He Was A God Of Pardon (2c) “for I knew that thou art a gracious God,”
b. He Knew He Was A God Of Pity (2d) “…and merciful,…”
c. He Knew He Was A God Of Patience (2e) “…slow to anger,”
d. He Knew He Was A God Of Philantrophy (2f) “…and of great kindness,…”
e. He Knew He Was A God Of Principal (2g) “…and repentest thee of the evil.”
II. Jonah Had a Problem With His Pity (Vs. 3-4)
A. A Foolish Request For Death (3a-3c)
1. The Basis For Jonah’s Request (3a) “Therefore…”
2. The Boldness In His Request (3b) “…now, O Lord,
3. The Begging In His Request (3c) “…take, I beseech thee, my life from me;…”
B. A False Reasoning From Despair (3d) “…for it is better for me to die than to live.”