One of the interesting things about the book of Jonah is that it discloses a different perspective than we normally have concerning God’s character. Jonah repeatedly uses the same Hebrew word to describe God’s actions. Chapter one verse seventeen says that, “Yahweh prepared a great fish…” In chapter four and verse six, “Yahweh God prepared a vine, and made it to come up over Jonah…” Chapter four, verse seven says, “…God prepared a worm at dawn the next day, and it chewed on the vine…” And chapter four, verse eight says, “…when the sun arose, that God prepared a sultry east wind…” The Hebrew in all four of these places can be translated: “God directed,” “God prepared”, “God appointed” or “God provided.” But this use of the word causes us to think. The Scriptures tell us repeatedly that God is good. And so, when we think of God’s provision we think of him providing only what we consider ‘good’ things or blessings.
For example, in Matthew 6:31-33 we are told: “Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.” Again in Matthew 7:9-11 it says: “Or who is there among you, who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” Some more examples of the good things that God provides are: Rest (Matthew 11:28), The Holy Spirit (Luke 11:11-13), Life (Romans 8:11), Eternal life (John 10:28), Peace (John 14:27), and Insight (2 Timothy 2:7).
God not only provides ‘good’ things, but He is impartial. He does not show favoritism. Matthew 5:45 says, “…he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.” 1 Corinthians 15:22 assures us, “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.” And 1 Timothy 2:3-4 tells us that, “…For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth.”
We not only associate ‘good’ things with God, but we also attribute what we consider ‘bad’ things to Satan. For example Satan is: the Father of Lies and the source of murder (John 8:44), the accuser of God’s people (Revelation 12:10-12), a source of physical affliction (Luke 13:10-16, 2 Corinthians 12:7), and a cause of destruction and suffering (1 Peter 5:8-9).
But if God provides good things, and the devil is the source of evil and bad, then we are startled by some of the things that happen to Jonah. Many of the things God provides for Jonah are what we consider bad. Who is grateful for destructive worms and scorching east winds? Also consider the storm God sent in chapter one and verse four. The Hebrew could be translated “God hurled a great wind…” The storm caused great damage and loss. How can this be considered one of God’s good gifts?
When we take a closer look at Scripture we find that this kind of thing isn’t limited to the book of Jonah. Lamentations 3:38 says that calamities as well as good things come from God. It is written in 1 Samuel 2:6-7: “Yahweh kills, and makes alive. He brings down to Sheol, and brings up. Yahweh makes poor, and makes rich. He brings low, he also lifts up.” In Deuteronomy 28:63 God says “…[I] will rejoice over you to cause you to perish, and to destroy…” his people if they do not follow the Mosaic Law. Is our idea of God wrong? Does God delight in bringing trouble on people? After all, didn’t even Jesus ask “…why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) when He was crucified?
The view presented in the above section raises a problem. Scripture repeatedly describes God as being merciful, compassionate and good. For instance, as we have already seen Jonah says, “…I knew that you are a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and you relent of doing harm.” (Jonah 4:2) We are also told that God doesn’t tempt anyone. In James 1:13 it is written: “Let no man say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God can’t be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one.” Further, we are assured in Romans 8:28 that for those who love God, all things (not just some things) are working out for good. Obviously, God who is good and loving cannot be eager to cause us harm or to destroy us.
It is not that our view of God being good is wrong, but rather our definition of what is good. Fortunately God has given us His definition of good. In Romans 8:28-29 it says, “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” In other words, anything that causes us to become more like Jesus, or will help us answer God’s call, is good.
Apparently we can’t become like Jesus Christ without experiencing some suffering and what we consider ‘bad’ things. However, since God is good, we can be sure that whatever He allows us to go through is for our ultimate benefit. After all, even Jesus had to suffer in order to qualify as our Savior! Hebrews 5:7-9 says: “He, in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear, though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered. Having been made perfect, he became to all of those who obey him the author of eternal salvation,” If Jesus had to suffer, is it any wonder that we also must suffer on occasion?
We can be sure that if we suffer it is because it is necessary. God does not want to destroy us but is the Great Physician who is out to cure us at any cost (either to us or himself) because He loves us. It is not God’s purpose to cause us pain. But pain is often a natural byproduct of the treatment God must cause us to undergo if we are to be cured. The difference between the trouble the devil brings on us and the trouble God brings on us is this: The devil wants our destruction. God brings trouble in order to heal and to make righteous.
Think about it. If God had not sent the storm, Jonah would not have gone to Nineveh. If God had not sent the storm the sailors would not have turned to him. If God had not sent the vine and the worm and the scorching east wind, Jonah would have died in his bitterness instead of learning about God’s great love and compassion for all of His creation.
When God brings trouble into our lives He is, in His great love and compassion, trying to get us to recognize Him more fully. He is bringing us good that can only come through suffering. He is the skillful surgeon who must sometimes inflict pain in order to heal.
The question is: Am I willing to go through suffering so that God can heal me? Am I willing to be made like Jesus? Do I trust God enough to accept the good that He can bring to us only through trouble, as well as the good He brings through pleasure? May you experience His blessing as you think about these things.