Jonah 4:1-11

“This displeased Jonah terribly and he became very angry. He prayed to the Lord and said, “Oh, Lord, this is just what I thought would happen when I was in my own country. This is what I tried to prevent by attempting to escape to Tarshish! – because I knew that you are gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in mercy, and one who relents concerning threatened judgment. So now, Lord, kill me instead, because I would rather die than live!” The Lord said, “Are you really so very angry?” Jonah left the city and sat down east of it. He made a shelter for himself there and sat down under it in the shade to see what would happen to the city. The Lord God appointed a little plant and caused it to grow up over Jonah to be a shade over his head to rescue him from his misery. Now Jonah was very delighted about the little plant. So God sent a worm at dawn the next day, and it attacked the little plant so that it dried up. When the sun began to shine, God sent a hot east wind. So the sun beat down on Jonah’s head, and he grew faint. So he despaired of life, and said, “I would rather die than live!” God said to Jonah, “Are you really so very angry about the little plant?” And he said, “I am as angry as I could possibly be!” The Lord said, “You were upset about this little plant, something for which you have not worked nor did you do anything to make it grow. It grew up overnight and died the next day. Should I not be even more concerned about Nineveh, this enormous city? There are more than one hundred twenty thousand people in it who do not know right from wrong, as well as many animals!””

— ‭‭Jonah‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬-‭11‬‬

What exactly displeased Jonah? Final verse of chapter 3 says that God’s response to Ninevehs’ repentance was to relent, not to judge/destroy them. He showed mercy. Jonah is now very angry. 

This is why Jonah is one of the most read minor prophets. Regardless of the historical debates, the narrative itself grabs us. It’s relatability is overwhelming. Emotions are flooding the characters, and they well up in us as well. It’s remarkably simple to place ourselves in the story and ask, “How would I respond?” 

Assyrians are the most feared/ruthless peoples of the day. They have and will be attacking Jonah’s people just like they have done to all the other surrounding nations. So these are national and religious enemies. God promised judgment—Israel would be rescued from even the threat of danger—and now God offers mercy. What do I think when “the worst person or group of people” (of course, in my own opinion) receives mercy?

Of course, the real message of the book of Jonah is that if Assyria can receive mercy, then God may just have enough grace and compassion for others living around Israel or among Israel.

I’m going to go ahead and call Jonah’s bluff. He didn’t go to Nineveh because he knew God would forgive? Maybe. This is the main message of Jonah. God is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger. Jonah knew all of this. So why get angry when God is true to His character??

But I still think Jonah ran away to save his own neck. 

And now Jonah wants to die because he’s so upset?!?! I’ve seen enough complaints on social media about kindness, goodness, and compassion towards certain groups of people that comes close to this. The entitlement is through the roof, but I also know there are hundreds and thousands of faithful, serving people who would sacrifice anything for anyone regardless of background or choices made.

Jonah goes east…never a good direction. Adam and Eve kicked out east. Cain exiled east. Israel exiled to Babylon which is east. East is bad. 

Jonah is illogical. He knows God’s decision. He has described God’s character, but he’s still hoping for some fire and brimstone. Meanwhile, he’s in love with a plant.

Back to “appoint/ordain.” God ordains things throughout the book (from ch. 1, the storm, the fish). Now the plant, the east wind, the worm. He is moving in sovereignty to stir Jonah’s heart.

Jonah complains again about the dead plant and wants to die, allowing God to question his motives.

Haven’t studied enough about the size of Nineveh. 120,000 may be accurate or making some other point. Needs more research. This also relates to Jonah’s three day journey in ch 3. This is obviously a capital city, but cities were built differently and obviously not as big as modern cities. 

There is power in leaving the book open with question. We don’t get Jonah’s response. Did he stop complaining or double down on his position. The book of Jonah is the Prodigal Son story of the OT. There the Father invites the elder son into the party because his love has been constant, and we don’t get the response of the other son. Did he go in, or did he stay outside and sulk?

The point of that passage is the same here…over one sinner who repents there is (and should be) rejoicing. God’s mercy is for all. And before God we all need equal measures of grace and compassion.