God is not a Tyrant ( Jonah 4 ]

                         The story of Jonah is interesting and instructive , a prophet running away
                         when told  by God to proclaim  Gods word to Nineveh capital of Assyria..
                         a major world power, who conquered nearly all before them.,they were religious
                        believing in many gods. When they conquered a nation they believed  they were
                        defeating that nations god., They were noted for their cruelty, when they defeated a
                        nation they would humiliate  that nations ruler,by pulling them with ropes attached
                        by lips and the jaw. They were wicked,cruel, and idolaters, So when Jonah was told
                        to proclaim Gods judgement, instead of being obedient, he was disobedient, why?
                        The answer may surprise many people who see God in the OT as a tyrant, In chap 4
                        we see a man who knew his God ,' He prayed to the Lord,''O Lord, is this not what I
                        said when I was still at home? That is why I was quick to flee  to Tarshish . I knew
                        that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love
                        a God who relents from sending calamity''. Is  he describing a tyrant ?.

                                                           There's a wideness in God's mercy
                                                            Like the wideness of the sea; 
                                                           There's a kindness in his justice
                                                            Which is more than liberty
                                                                (Words...F.W.Faber)
                                                         

                                                                                   



                                                   
                                                      .