06 August 2007

How God Loves the World

by Frank Turk

He takes pity on our cities, and labors over them, because they are wicked – not because they are righteous. (Jonah 4:5-11)


8 comments:

brentjthomas said...

Admirably sententious brevity!

Even So... said...

This series will be "like ministry" to many, I'm sure...and I mean that in a good way...

Stefan Ewing said...

Wow. An excellent sermon-in-miniature to kick off this series. Good job. Praise God for his mercy, grace, and lovingkindness that none of us deserves.

donsands said...

Jonah sure didn't love Ninevah. He would have loved to rain down fire and brimestone on them methinks. Luke 9:54-56

bassicallymike said...

The tag, "and also much cattle", has always intrigued me. Is this a statement about God's concern and providence extending beyond man? Any thoughts?

FX Turk said...

I'll bet they had a lot of cattle.

I think God mentions it because it underscores the kinds of blessings He is already working out on them.

Being a large city is one kind of blessing; having all those riches is another kind of blessing. God is saying to Jonah, I think, that if he has spent this kind of time blessing them, should he just give up now?

Compare that to how God talks to Israel, and I think you'll find it's an interesting parallel.

Stefan Ewing said...

Kind of like Mom will tell her son Bobby to eat his vegetables, even as she gives a second helping of macaroni and cheese to his friend Billy who's over for dinner? Bobby feels unloved, like Mom's being unfair; but from Mom's point of view, she's raising and caring for and clothing and feeding him day after day, not Bobby.

Stefan Ewing said...

...A somewhat imperfect explanation, but I wanted to help get your comment count up, Frank, since Phil's and Dan's posts seem to be getting all the attention....