Daniel was by all accounts a great man of God. His devotion, piety, position, abilities and accomplishments set him apart as an eminent man among the sons of men. Indeed, this great man was not only esteemed of his own kin, he was esteemed even by the powers of Heaven. But what was it specifically that earned him such esteem from such lofty beings? What, among all his many virtues stands out in the eyes of these shining ones? One need not speculate, for the angel Gabriel tells us himself: thrice he refers to Daniel as a man greatly beloved. The angels did not wonder at his works or power, for from their perspective, what was there to wonder at? Yet when they observed how much the Most High loved this man, they gazed in respectful wonder at this privileged creature. Yet there stands another of the prophets, eminent in status, for he too was greatly loved of God: the prophet Jonah. To attempt to gradate the infinite love of God into a crude hierarchy would be foolish indeed, for who can understand the mysteries of God’s love save God himself? Yet still, it is impossible to read the story of Jonah without concluding that this man was greatly beloved of God, and, like Gabriel, wondering at such a fact.
Come, you great scholars, and see if you can mark the reason for God’s special love for this prophet; see if you can find any loveliness in this man. Here is a disobedient servant. God himself speaks to him and gives him a task, yet this man, finding his calling distasteful, flees to the farthest corner of the earth to avoid obeying God. When faced with God’s judgment for his sin, he chooses death rather than repentance. At the lowest time in his life, he prays to God for deliverance, and is miraculously saved, yet after such mercy, he continues in his bitterness toward God. He obeys God from compulsion, and preaches to Nineveh, and when God works mightily through him, he goes off to sulk, angry at God for being good. He bitterly argues with God, against all reason and sense. When the God of heaven and earth confronts Jonah for his sinful anger, Jonah defiantly refuses to repent…TWICE!
Even his virtues fail to adorn him with any loveliness. This man feared God, displayed by word and deed when upon the ship. When all are afraid, he sleeps calmly, not in the least bit shocked or disturbed by God’s judgment Yea, he expected such. He does not hesitate to give the reason for the storm: The God he feared was real, and Jonah immediately realized the storm was His judgment He also had great knowledge of God. He knew God was the only true God, a merciful God, a gracious God, a kind God, a God of justice, and a God who answers prayer. He was also a man of great faith. He believed God would use him, even though he preached to the most wicked people he knew. He believed God would hear his prayers though he was in the depths of the sea. Yet his fear, knowledge, and faith only add condemnation to him, for he sinned against light. If he lacked fear, knowledge, or faith, one might understand his sin, even if one could not excuse it. But his sin was even more egregious: he despised the goodness of God, and despised his calling so much that he would rather die than participate in God’s plan. Behold the man greatly beloved of God, railing against the God he knows, cursing him for his goodness.
Yet consider how much God loves this unlovely man. God chooses him to bear his word, though he knows his heart. When Jonah disobeys, God does not leave him to his own devices, nor does he strike him dead outright. He sends a storm to confront Jonah with the reality of his choice. When Jonah chooses death over repentance, God prepares a series of trials and situations to bring Jonah to where he needs to be. Consider how amazing this is: God, who has all the tools of providence at his command, instead tailor makes a fish capable of imprisoning Jonah, a suitable plant to grow for shelter, a worm to kill the plant, and an east wind to smite upon Jonah. Jonah’s conduct on the boat shows he was prepared for death and judgment He knew it was coming, yet was unmoved by it. But God would not leave his servant to perish in his sin, he creates precisely the trial Jonah needed. Death at sea would not bring him to repentance, but three days in a fish would. Seeing God work in Nineveh would not restore his perspective, but dialogue over a palmcrist plant would. Jonah would not be left to providence, nor cast aside in judgment; God would, with his own sovereign hand, bring Jonah to where he must be.
Consider also the dialogue God has with Jonah. Jonah prays a despicable prayer, lambasting God for being good, and asking to die. How does God respond: “Doest thou well to be angry?” What a gentle, prodding, gracious way to confront Jonah with his sin. One would think that it was a man, Jonah’s equal, who brought this compassionate rebuke. But it was God, the Most High God. The same God whom Jonah repeatedly disobeyed; the same God Jonah was furious against. The same God who delivered him, used him, blessed his ministry, and received only scorn in return. Others perished at the slightest offense against this infinitely transcendent God, but not Jonah, he gets a gentle rebuke. Jonah’s response is to ignore God’s question, and stew in his anger. What a marvel, who among creation dares to ignore God? Who dares rejects his gentle pleading and wallows in bitterness? Yet God is not done. He loves this man too much to give up on him, though Jonah provokes God like no other. When God brings the plant to comfort Jonah, and the worm to vex him, and asks again, “Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd?” Here, with a second chance to respond correctly, Jonah lashes out, “I do well to be angry, even unto death.” Yet behold the loving condescension of God. He reasons with Jonah, showing him the unreasonableness of his anger. Jonah raises his fist against God, and God pleads with him to put his fist down. What could motivate the Mighty God to respond thus? Love, great, special, infinite, electing love.
Behold the man greatly beloved of God. Behold this man with nothing in himself worth loving, who sins against God with such presumption and vehemence that the pious soul trembles in fear at the very thought. Why, oh scholar, does God love him so? Be silent, oh wise ones, for no man can tell. God loves him because God loves him. Gabriel greeted Daniel with great respect, for he knew how much God loved him. Yet all heaven must have gasped with wonder at the love God showed to this man, Jonah. Truly, this beloved prophet must be the object of wonder and veneration among the children of light, for he is the darling of Jehovah. Here is a man greatly beloved of God, and there is no higher honor in the universe.
There are some who are held in great esteem among the brethren for their devotion, piety, position, abilities, or accomplishments, and let God be thanked for those Daniel’s among us. But I can never be among them, nor claim their honors. I often disobey God’s commands. I sin against light and knowledge. I cling to my way, preferring death to repentance. I fail to thank God for deliverance, and disregard his blessings. I know the goodness of God, yet am often angry at him for petty things. I even have the presumption to raise my voice and hand against the Most High, responding to the Spirit’s prodding with rage. But behold, heaven and earth, how God loves me! He calls me to his service despite myself. He custom-makes a trial, perfectly designed to break me. He brings comfort and trial in exactly the right measure. He responds to my despicable prayers with loving, kind words. He forgives my presumption. He reasons with me through his spirit and his word, and brings me back to his side when everyone else would have given up on me. I will never have the merit to earn the honors of earth or heaven, but what does it matter, I am honored above all the heavenly hosts, for behold how God loves me! Oh, my brethren, seek not to earn the honors of Heaven by merit, for you will surely fail. Rather, humbly bask in the incomprehensible love of God for you in Christ, for this is your crown of glory, this is your honor, this is your life.1 John 4:16- And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
