066. Second Prayer Of Jonah.
Second Prayer Of Jonah.
“Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of,” said our Savior to James and John, who would have called down fire from heaven, and consumed the Samaritans of a certain village, because they would not receive their Master. Much less, apparently, did Jonah know what spirit he was of, when he would have rejoiced to see the fires of heaven, or some other desolating calamity, overtake the Ninevites, because they did receive him, and repented under his warning message. At first, he had refused to convey the divine admonition to that guilty city, but had fled. But, at length, humbled by a severe providential dispensation, probably inflicted upon no other mortal, he had vowed to make any sacrifice, to which God should call him. And, when a second commission comes from the Lord, he accepts it, and, through the streets of Nineveh, he makes the solemn and admonitory proclamation: “Forty days, and Nineveh shall be destroyed.” Unexpectedly, the inhabitants give credence to him, as a prophet of God; a fast is proclaimed; the king himself puts off his royal robe, and covers himself with sackcloth and ashes. The example thus set, is followed by the people; and even the beasts of the field must eat no food, and be clothed in sackcloth also.
Never was a message more solemn; or a judgment denounced more terrific. Never prophet was more successful. And we should expect to hear Jonah, in some song of praise and gratitude, evincing his joy at the result of his mission. But, is the prophet thus thankful? thus joyful? Ah! it has truly been said, “that, in all the Book of God, we scarcely find a servant of the Lord so very much out of temper, as he is here—so peevish, and provoking to God!”
Strange! That to verify his word, and save, as he thought, his honor, a city containing a hundred and twenty thousand infants, must be swept by some besom of destruction! Alas! that there should be in good men such remains of depravity! And he prays, through the infatuation and disappointment of his spirit, that God would let him die—nay, that he would take from him his life. But we will not longer dwell upon the painful particulars. Well might Jonah be grateful to God—and, in the sequel, we trust he was—that his prayer was not answered according to his wishes. Oh, If God should take us according to our wishes; if he should fulfill the desires of our hearts, sometimes made in moments of irritation and impatience, how wretched would be our condition!
Some may be ready to ask: “Can a man be a child of God, and betray such a spirit as did Jonah?” He may; but let it be remembered, that such a spirit cannot long dwell in the bosom of a good man; and that, when it is even briefly indulged, waters of deep repentance will flow forth from the flinty rock, when struck; and the repentant soul will cry out, with David, “Have mercy upon me, O God! According to thy loving kindness; and according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions!”