Jonah 4
“But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. 2 He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing 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. 3 Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.”
4 But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?”
5 Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. 6 Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. 7 But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. 8 When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.”
9 But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”
“It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.”
10 But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. 11 And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?””
Jonah 4 Meaning
Jonah 4 is the final chapter in the book of Jonah. It depicts Jonah’s emotional and spiritual struggle after witnessing God’s mercy on the people of Nineveh. Jonah had initially fled from God’s command to preach to the Ninevites because he didn’t believe they deserved forgiveness. In this chapter, Jonah expresses his displeasure with God’s compassion and even goes as far as desiring death.
Jonah 4 Commentary and Explanation
In Jonah chapter 4, we see a striking contrast between the prophet Jonah’s attitude and God’s character. Jonah’s reaction to God’s mercy and compassion toward the people of Nineveh reveals important lessons about our own hearts and God’s relentless love.
As the chapter begins, Jonah is deeply displeased and angry about God’s decision not to bring destruction upon Nineveh as He had previously declared through Jonah. Jonah’s anger isn’t rooted in a concern for justice but rather in his own pride and prejudice. He had wanted Nineveh to face God’s judgment because of his resentment towards the Assyrians and their oppression of the Israelites. This attitude serves as a sobering reminder for us to examine our own hearts for biases and prejudices, as God’s love extends to all, even those we may consider our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48).
Jonah’s reaction to God’s compassion is so extreme that he pleads with God to take his life. It’s a remarkable display of the prophet’s despair and bitterness. In contrast, God responds with a gentle rebuke, asking Jonah if he has any right to be angry. God’s question underscores the importance of aligning our hearts with God’s will and recognizing His sovereignty over all situations.
To teach Jonah a lesson about His character, God provides him with a plant that offers shade from the scorching sun. Jonah is delighted with this temporary relief from discomfort. However, God sends a worm to destroy the plant, causing Jonah to experience physical discomfort once more. This event prompts Jonah to again express a desire for death. God uses this circumstance to help Jonah understand the value of compassion and mercy.
In verse 10, God highlights His compassion for the people of Nineveh, who are ignorant of His ways, and He emphasizes His love for all His creation. God’s love is not limited to one group or nation; it extends to all people (John 3:16). This is a powerful reminder that we, too, should seek to show compassion and mercy to others, regardless of their background or circumstances, just as God does.
The book of Jonah concludes with a cliffhanger, leaving us to ponder Jonah’s response to God’s lesson in the face of his own anger and prejudice. It’s a call for us to reflect on our own attitudes and biases, to align our hearts with God’s compassion and love for all, and to embrace His mission of reconciliation and redemption (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). Jonah 4 serves as a reminder that God’s ways are higher than our ways, and His love is boundless, seeking the salvation of all who turn to Him in repentance.
Also Study: Isaiah 33:2 Meaning and Commentary
Context of Jonah 4
To understand the context of Jonah 4, we need to look back at the previous chapters. Jonah was originally called by God to go and preach against the wickedness of Nineveh. However, Jonah tries to run away from this responsibility and ends up being swallowed by a great fish. After being vomited out onto dry land, Jonah fulfills God’s command and proclaims God’s message of impending destruction to the people of Nineveh.
Surprisingly, the people of Nineveh repent and turn to God. Seeing their genuine repentance, God relents from bringing destruction upon the city (Jonah 3:10). This turn of events angers Jonah, leading to his complaint and dialogue with God in chapter 4.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Jonah 4
Jonah’s Anger: Jonah is angry and resentful towards God’s decision to spare Nineveh. He believes they deserve punishment for their wickedness, and his anger clouds his judgment and causes him to lose sight of God’s compassion.
God’s Compassion: God responds to Jonah’s anger by showing him a plant. This plant provides shade and comfort to Jonah, who appreciates it greatly. However, God then sends a worm to destroy the plant, highlighting Jonah’s misplaced priorities and lack of compassion for the people of Nineveh.
Jonah’s Lack of Compassion: Jonah’s focus on his own comfort and desires blinds him to the value God places on all human lives. God questions Jonah’s concern for a plant that lasted only a short time, compared to His concern for the thousands of people in Nineveh who did not know Him.
Lessons From Jonah 4
- God’s Mercy: Jonah 4 shows us that God’s mercy extends to all people, regardless of their past or current actions. His desire is for all to come to repentance and find salvation in Him (2 Peter 3:9).
- Our Heart Attitude: Jonah’s heart reveals a lack of compassion and a judgmental attitude towards those he considered undeserving of God’s love. This challenges us to examine our own hearts and ensure that we align our attitudes with God’s compassion and love for all.
- God’s Sovereignty: The story of Jonah reminds us that God is sovereign over all things, including the wickedness of the world. He has the power to bring repentance and forgiveness to even the most hardened hearts.
Final Thoughts
Jonah 4 teaches us an important lesson about God’s compassion towards the repentant and our need to align our hearts with His. It reminds us that God’s ways are higher than ours, and His mercy is boundless. As Christians, let us not fall into the trap of judgment and self-righteousness, but instead strive to extend God’s love and compassion to all people. May we celebrate when the lost are found and rejoice when sinners turn to God, just as God rejoiced over the repentance of Nineveh.