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Like Jonah

from Like Jonah by Natalie Kendel

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This song was inspired by Jonah's approach to a city that hung in the balance: how he'd rather attempt escaping God than work for the chance to save its citizens from destruction. When at first reading Jonah's story in the Bible, one might think he ran because he was afraid of what God had called him to do. And yet it seems a deeper problem exists in the heart of the prophet.

"When God saw by the city's actions that they had turned from their evil way, he relented and did not bring on them the punishment he had threatened.
"But Jonah was not pleased at all, and he became angry. He prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is this not what I said You would do while still in my own country? That is why I ran away to Tarshish. I knew you were a God who is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in grace, and that you relent from inflicting punishment...

"Then Jonah left the city and sat to the east of the city. There he made a tent for himself, and sat in its shadow until he could see what would happen in the city. Then the Lord God made a plant grow up over Jonah to cover him from the hot sun and to stop his suffering. Jonah was very happy about the plant. But at the beginning of the next day, God sent a worm to destroy the plant and it dried up. When the sun came up, God sent a hot east wind. And the sun’s heat came upon Jonah’s head so that he became weak and begged with all his heart to die. He said, “Death is better to me than life.”

"Then God said to Jonah, “Do you have a good reason to be angry about the plant?” And Jonah said, “I have a good reason to be angry, angry enough to die.” The Lord said, “You had loving-pity on the plant which you did not work for. You did not cause it to grow. It came up during the night and died during the night. And should I not have loving-pity for Nineveh, the large city where more than 120,000 people live who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?”

(Jonah 3:10-4)

lyrics

Have I like Jonah seen the city
shaking slow my head in pity
Who could turn a place with such a stain?
Have I with sureness damned their days
dismissed the chance of even one saved
and chalked the whole thing up to ruin?

And I have mourned the withering
of shrubs before a people
Caring more for what gives shade
than what might bring their freedom

For I don't run away
from Calling 'cause I'm afraid
No, I run because I know
the mercy of the Lord

Have I found comfort in their fates
finality of sentences
Thinking that it seals my solid standing?
So off to sea, I try to hide
my satisfaction with the tides
to see how great a distance there's
between us

And I have mourned the withering
of plants before a people

Caring more for what gives shade
than what could bring them justice

And I don't run away
from Calling 'cause I'm afraid
No, I run because I know
the mercy of the Lord

Punishment I longed to see delivered
has been denied me
Must you spread your arms so wide, my Lord
Must you be so quick to heal
Where's the anger, where's your zeal
Must I share your kingdom with these people

And I have run away
From Calling 'cause I'm afraid
I've run because I know
the mercy of the Lord
I know He'd want to stay His hand
and we would land on different judgements
And though I raised my gavel high
I'm bound by the mercy of the Lord
I'm found by the mercy of the Lord
They're saved by the mercy of the Lord

I know that you are merciful
I know you are compassionate,
You are slow to anger, rich in grace
credits

credits

from Like Jonah, track released April 17, 2015

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about

Natalie Kendel England, UK

Theologian, Natalie Kendel, is a singer-songwriter, author, pastor, and theological lecturer.

Using an imaginative, narrative approach, Kendel aims to musically communicate the biblical narrative.

Kendel's music is influenced by folk, orchestral, neo-80s & various genre blends. With unique lyrics and theological depth, her music evokes a rallying listening experience.
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