My wife and I were watching a TV show recently when one of the male characters turned to his female coworker and said, “You are toxic.” It was a shocking moment coming from a guy who is generally quiet and has a decent head on his shoulders. I was left thinking, “Wow, did he really just say that!”

Jonah had a moment like this with God. After God relented from bringing disaster to the Ninevites, Scripture says (Jonah 4:1), “But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry.” One could translate the verse to say, “it was exceedingly evil to Jonah.”¹ Wow did Jonah just really think and believe that God’s actions were evil!

As Jonah’s anger is further drawn out in chapter four, we see that it’s misplaced (as well as revealing of his own heart). God discloses this when Jonah cares about a dying plant instead of dying people. What’s going on with Jonah? At the core Jonah struggles with hatred for others. The Ninevites are his enemies and he doesn’t want to see them holding the fruits of God’s mercy. As such, the character of Jonah (and Israel) is out of line. Nevertheless, God’s merciful character isn’t, and the displays of His character are not to be judged as evil by His people. They are to be worshipped and celebrated; they are to be believed and held in awe.

If we find ourselves upset at God for His merciful actions toward others, then our thoughts and emotions are misplaced. The plank in our eye needs to be removed and our minds renewed. There is much we know and don’t know about God, all at the same time. But when God acts, we cannot and shall not sit in judgment upon Him or be angry at Him. If we find ourselves angry, we need to pray that God would remove the plank and renew our minds. God knows more about righteousness and sin than we do. God knows infinitely more about judging others, rescuing others, extending mercy, healing, kindness, forgiveness, love, justice, and faithfulness than we could ever begin to dream.

I’ve grown in this regarding God’s judgments. I cannot comprehend them sometimes, but I’ve been renewed to say along with Revelation 15:3, “Just and true are your ways.” Thus, we must learn to interpret life and its events through God and not God through life’s events. God is His own revealer and interpreter.

Father, we confess that Your character is perfect and we have no right to judge your ways. Please forgive our unworthy and unholy thoughts concerning your ways in this world. We recognize that we need character formation. Have your molding, refining, renewing way in us. We trust You and You alone for all things! Praise be to You O Lord in Christ Jesus Name! Amen.