What a strange twist in a very strange story! Here is the preacher who spoke of judgment and the need of repentance but then he was sitting, waiting to see what was going to happen to the city! (v.5) God had forgiven the people of Ninevah and Jonah didn't like God doing just that. Jonah's problems were many. First he was a Jew and didn't like preaching mercy to any who weren't Jews. He seemed to have no love for anybody who wasn't a Jew. We could say he had no love for lost souls. Then we need to ask: How much love do we have? Secondly his pride seemed to have shown up very badly. He didn't like the idea of preaching judgment and then God not doing what he, Jonah, had prophesied. How was God going to deal with Jonah this time? While he was sitting there in a rough bough shelter in the hot sun feeling sorry for himself, God caused a vine to grow quickly and miraculously over the rough shelter and protect him from the fierce heat. Jonah was very glad for the vine. Did he think he deserved some consideration? But next God caused a worm with a tremendous appetite to eat down the vine. Back to the hot sun! Jonah was bitter and angry. The conversation could have gone something like this: God asked, 'What's the matter, Jonah?' Jonah replies (in a pout), 'You took away my shade and left me here in the hot wind and sun. Don't you love me?' 'Jonah, you think only of yourself and your own comfort. Don't you care for those people over there in the city? I care about them, Jonah. I don't want to see them die.' That's where the book ends. Jonah's story is not merely history. It has lessons for us. It is God dealing with a soul and bringing that soul to a place of repentance and willing loving service. Could God be dealing with you or me for those reasons too? |
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