You're listening to the Allender Center podcast with Dr. Dan Allender.

This week, Dan concludes a series engaging the chaotic lives of four characters in the Old Testament,

Jacob, Joseph, Jeremiah, and Jonah.

Dan dives into the story of Jonah, which confronts us with the idea that the same forgiveness we receive is extended even to those who cause us harm.

Are we bold enough to follow the radical mercy of God?

Well, we have arrived at our final J, Jonah. And I'm actually quite sad not only in terms of the summer departing,

but my reflection, the summer of these four Js, has actually been a very sweet gift.

I would hope that it has been of some assistance and reflection for you.

But for me, hanging out with each of these characters through much of my summer has been a delight,

except for our last J, Jonah, and probably why it has taken me this long to speak about Jonah.

Jonah is a pill.

In some ways, I think there is a very strong reflection in Luke 15 of the older brother

as we ponder the life of Jonah.

And probably more so than any of the other Jays, Jonah's character cannot be reflected upon

without also reflecting on the character of God. Now, that's obviously true for every human being

and all the characters that we've looked at over the summer. But even more so, Jonah's life is being described in contrast to the

character of God. This book, in one essence, is about divine freedom and about who he chooses

to dispense his mercy toward. And our struggle, humanity's struggle really with the concept of grace.

As much as we know we need it and want it, on the other hand, how furious we are.

When we see grace being given to those who have done us harm or have the prospect of doing us harm.

So Jonah is a core book so different than any other prophet, any other prophetic book.

And I strongly recommend if this book is of interest to you that you find your way to a book entitled Jonah, God's Scandalous Mercy by Kevin Youngblood.

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