“while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.””
1 Kings 19:4 (NIV)
Scholars are not sure who wrote the book of Jonah- some of them can’t believe that Jonah wrote it himself, because of how bad the book presents Jonah.
Boy does Jonah look bad!
Whoever wrote it, very skillfully created a comparison in our minds between the prophet Jonah and the great prophet Elijah.
Elijah prayed for rain and had his servant watch the sky for sign of rain - fervent effectual prayer avails much!
Jonah prayed a fervent prayer from his heart and sat and watched the city to see if God would destroy it in accordance with Jonah’s desire.
Elijah ran for his life under threat of death, sat under a broom bush and asked the LORD to take his life. His request was based on what he felt was the ineffectiveness of his ministry.
Jonah had no threat of death, but sat under a shelter waiting to see a city destroyed, asking the LORD to take his life because his ministry had been too effective.
Little boy Jonah looks bad compared to the man called Elijah.
Yet both men were obviously in a state of despair - even depression.
Notice how graciously God dealt with both, for He graciously intervened in the little things in their situation, meeting some needs, and then drew them into a personal encounter with Him, for the purpose of encouraging them to continue in their ministry.
Not the wind, not the earthquake, nor the fire – but the still small voice of God spoke the Words that Elijah needed, and that same still small voice spoke the Words that Jonah needed.
A compassionate gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in love!
Oh that He would meet with us today and speak the Words we need.
Are we listening for that still small voice?
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