The Pulpit Commentary — Jonah — Section 86

himself ia represented in bis Word as having been angry with the wicked; and 11 righteous anger or indignation with wrong-doers is now and again in the Scripture narrative mentioned with approval. Indeed, a nature to which anger is foreign cannot but be, lacking in morn! fibre. On the other hand, into how many sins have men been !ed by giving way to foolish anger ?-i.e. to angor either altogether unwarranted or unjustifiablo in the degree in which it has been cherished. An angry man can seldom -decide with justice or act with consideration. IL AN<JEB IB NEVER JUSTIFIABLE WIIEN OCCASIONED BY THE ACTION OF A RIGHTEOUS AND GRA0I0US GoD, Now, Jonah saw that the Divine Ruler was "slow to anger" with the Ninevites; yet he himself was quick to indignation and wrath. Anger like Jonah's questions the justice of the Divine proceedings. He who is angry with the plans and purposes of the Eternal sets himself up as a judge of that Being who is Judge of 1111. There may be occasions for anger with fellow-men; but anger with the -Oreator and Ruler of all is never defensible or excusable. It evinces a sad lack of modesty and of true submissiveness. III. ANGER IB ALWAYS BLAMABLE WHEN IT IB OCCASIONED BY Tml: BELIEF AND :t1ALVATI0N OF MEN, The plain truth concerning Jonah's anger is this-it arose because the Ninevites were not overwhelmed with destruction. If the city had perished, the prophet would have felt satisfaction in contemplating such a fate. Because the city was spared, nnd (as he thought) his authority was discredited, he gave way to wrath. A more selfish and unamiable temper has never been exhibited. IV. THEBE 18 ALWAYS REAS0S TO SUSPECT THE J'USTICE OF ANGER WHEN IT AC0OMPANIES SOME HUMILIATION OR MORTIFICATION OF SELF. Plainly Jonah thought more of himself than of those to whom he mini.!tered, or he would not have given way to anger because his word of prophecy was l•<lt literally fulfilled. Men sometimes ~ndeavour to deceive themselves, to persuade tl.c!.Dlselves that their wrath is stirred by some infraction of right, when, all the time, th-, <rue secret of their anger is to be found in personal mortification. A lesson this of tL.., importance of being upon our guard against the insidious temptation to vanity :mcl self-importance. Ver. 7.-The withering of earthly c01lsolution. If Jonah's vexation and anger were due first to the sparing of Nineveh, and the mortification of his self-importance, similar ~motion was excited within him by the deprivation of personlll comfort which was .appointed by Divine providence. l. IN TIMES OF TROUBLE GOD APPOINTS DIVINE CONSOLATIONS FOB HIS PEOPLE. ·The gourd, or palmcrist, which the Author of nature caused to grow up over Jonah's ·booth, was "for a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief." Such a refuge, .shelter,.shadow, Providence often appoints for those who are in distress. Some unex- pected provision for want, some gracious alleviation of suffering, some marvellous deliver- .ance from impending danger, reveals the thoughtful and loving care of the Most High. II. Goo IN Ill$ MERCY THUS TURNS SORROW INTO GLADNESS. "Jonah was exceeding •glad of the gourd." It was itself beautiful to behold, and its cool shelter was refreshing, .and it was a pleasant and welcome emblem of Divine care and kindness. Many have been made glad according to the· days in which they have been afllicted, to the year:1 in which they have seen evil. Of many once storm-tossed and imperilled it may be said, "They are glad because they be quiet." It is right to rejoice when Eternal Mercy rescues and delivers those who are in trouble and distress. III. CONSOLATIONS ARE OFTEN SHORT-LIVED AND DISAPPOINTING. The caterpillars which smote the palmcrist in a few hours robbed Jonah of his comfort, so that his new, ,dawning joy was overcast with clouds of gloom. And this withering was an emblem ,of the transitory nature of all earthly happiness and prosperity. The comforts which -God sends he takes away, lest we should set our hearts upon created good. Health ,iails, property is lost, friends die, bright prospects ore clouded, hopes perish. Nothing .continueth in one stay, "This world is all e. ft.eating sh)w, For man's illusion given; The smiles of joy, the toars of woe, Deceitful shine, deceitrul ft.ow: '.l'here's nothing true but heo.ven."  THE BOOK OF JON AH. [cu. Iv. 1-U.