But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?”

Dear reader, I wish to look again, briefly, at the last sentence in this most amazing Old Testament book. Embedded in those few words is the point God is making. “Should I not be concerned?” 

To be sure Jonah showed no concern for the vast multitude of people who lived there, each precious in the sight of God.  Jonah wanted to see Nineveh destroyed.  God, in his mercy, wanted to see Nineveh saved.  This was the point of contention between God and Jonah from the beginning of the story to the last words.  “Should I not be concerned?”  Can I suggest that this is the question that we still deal with today?

Jonah is concerned with Jonah, and with his beloved Israel.  God is concerned about the many people in Nineveh who need to be given the opportunity to repent.  Of course, he is concerned for Jonah, that is taken for granted.  How, however, can he get Jonah to have compassion on Nineveh?  Is this not the story line of the book?  And as true today as it was then?

Jonah’s desire to destroy Nineveh crossed with God’s willingness, even the desire for the salvation of Nineveh. This tension is the thread of the story.  The church lives in this tension until today and will experience this tension until Jesus returns.

Are God’s concerns our concerns?