In the blog about Chapter 1, I mentioned all the ups and downs in this little prophetic book. Well, Chapter 4 is no different.
In the first verse, Jonah is mad - again. In the second verse, he tells God, I told you so. In verse three, he is so angry and frustrated over God's mercy that he wants to die. In today's world, revenge is a common cry. Jonah hated the people of Nineveh more than his own life. There is the possibility that Jonah was afraid, if Nineveh was spared, they would again turn on Israel. He was jealous that God could spare those who had oppressed his people. Do we see this hate and fear in the middle east today? Did Jesus see this depth of hate at the cross?
Verse 4 is God's answer to Jonah. Hebrew text reads, "Is it right for you to be grieved to death?" God expects us to understand his grace and mercy. He expects us to reflect His gracious attitude in our lives. (Jonah's blood pressure must have been sky high.) God knows that when we exert negative emotions we can only hurt ourselves. There is no peace for Jonah at this point.
Verse 5 says Jonah was waiting to see what would happen to the city. Did he think he might have changed God's mind? Did he think God would care more for his feelings than the entire city of Nineveh? Verse 6: God's is understanding of Jonah and shows him compassion by providing shade. Indeed, a miracle was done with the plant growing up immediately. This made Jonah happy. Well, I guess: shade from the very hot sun of that middle eastern climate. I would be very happy.
Here comes the lesson: We all go through these lessons from our loving father in heaven when we need correcting - just like a caring earthly father. That is why God caused the plant to die. This, of course, put Jonah back into another bad mood. Do you see the frustration here? Do you see the humor of God? Jonah was so mad and God is giving him a trial; taunting him in order to teach him a lesson. When you were growing up, did your parent ever do this to you? (My grandfather did it a lot. A little salt in the wound to drive a point home.) Again, Jonah says he wants to die rather than to live like this: mad, jealous, spiteful, hot, tired, frustrated and not being able to manipulate God to do what he wanted. He was a pouting child. Jonah is more worried about loosing his shade than the death of an entire city. This back and forth conversation between God and Jonah shows God's tolerance. He could have let Jonah die but God had a purpose for Jonah. After all, he had not yet written this great book.
In verses 10 and 11 God makes his point plain to Jonah. Jonah was given the plant for shade - without working for it. (God does spoil His children.) There were 120,000 people, plus animals, in the great city of Nineveh that Jonah wanted dead. People with lives, feelings, families, friends, jobs and futures. God was trying to explain that Jonah was wrong to have this hatred and jealousy to other human beings.
I also see that this lesson worked and Jonah eventually came to a greater understanding of himself or he could not have penned this story from a impartial perspective. Reach out to God, trust His grace and you will sail the calm sea of peace in your life.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> * * * <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Our lessons:
1. God's word is final
2. God knows best
3. God is an amazing teacher
4. It is good to obey God before He has to teach us a lesson
5. God's grace is for all His children/creation
* Note about the number 120 (120,000 population): This number represents the end of law (the end of human effort) which is replaced by grace. We clearly see God's grace extended to the people of Nineveh who in the past have condemned God's people.
I am sure there is more in this amazing little book that I have yet to discover. The Bible is so full of subtle, under the surface, messages that it awaits our seeking them out.
Seek and you will find.
Amen
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