God’s Mercy and Grace
(Jnh. 4:11)

God said to Prophet Jonah, “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” Nineveh was filled with evil as the capital of a strong country, Assyria that threatened Israel. Despite the fact, God did not want the people of Nineveh to face His judgment through repentance.

1. God’s heart and Jonah’s heart
1) God did not want Nineveh to face judgment. So He told Prophet Jonah to go to Nineveh and let people know that God’s judgment was drawing near. (Jnh. 1:2)
2) However, Jonah’s heart was different from God’s heart. Jonah wanted Nineveh to face judgment and perish. Despite the fact that he knew God’s will toward Nineveh, he boarded the boat that goes to Tarshish and not Nineveh. (Jnh. 1:3)

2. Repentance of Jonah
1) Jonah faced a storm and was thrown into the sea. God prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah and delivered him who repented. (Jnh. 2:1~2)
2) Just as God gave Jonah an opportunity to carry out his mission again, God tried to give the people of Nineveh an opportunity to repent. (Jnh 3:1~2)

3. Repentance of Nineveh
1) When Jonah proclaimed a message given by God, the people of Nineveh turned from their evil ways by fasting. God saw their repentance and did not bring judgment. (Jnh. 3:10)
2) Jonah was furious, looking at that situation. Despite the fact that he knew the will of God, he still wanted Nineveh to perish. (Jnh. 4:1~3)

4. God’s mercy and grace
1) God wanted to teach Jonah who made a shelter and waited for Nineveh’s judgment about God’s heart once again through the event of the vine. (Jnh. 4:10~11)
2) God is gracious and compassionate. (Ps. 103:8~9)

Conclusion
God is patient and wants no one to perish and all to repent. Even if we face difficult situations, we can be more than conquerors when it comes to every hardship if we know about God’s love. God’s mercy and grace are always with us.