The Inevitability of Mercy

Several weeks ago, I had the opportunity to hear anew the story of Jonah as told by a Godly Play teacher. I've always loved the simplicity of those stories.

I've heard very different interpretations of the Jonah story - what I think of as the more traditional interpretation of Jonah who runs away from God, but also the interpretation of the story of Jonah as being a complete parody of the stories of other famous prophets.

Whichever way it goes, it's a fascinating story. Jonah hears God, but finds reasons to run away in exactly the opposite direction. But later, he admits to being the source of the problems when the storm arises and advises people to throw him overboard. He says one sentence to Ninevah and everyone believes him.

It seems like most people say that Jonah is mad at the end of the story because God didn't destroy Ninevah.

For me, it makes more sense that Jonah is mad at God for being asked to play a part in God's merciful plan that would have happened regardless of Jonah's intervention. He's not so much mad at God's mercy but in the inevitability of God's mercy.

Either way, he's not much of a hero. He is a prophet, but not one who is larger than life. Eventually, he does what is asked of him and good comes of it.

His story makes me mindful that even in my stubbornness and my failings, my hands and my voice and my efforts are still those that God needs to do God's work in the world.

I think it's something like the same idea conveyed in this Orthodox prayer I like so much:

O Lord my God, even if I had not done anything good before Thee, do Thou help me, in Thy grace, to make a good beginning.