#jonah 4

Jonah’s Anger and God’s Reproof

1 But this greatly displeased Jonah, and he became angry. 2 He prayed to the Lord, “O Lord, is this not what I said while I was still in my own country? This is why I fled at first toward Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger, abounding in kindness, repenting of punishment. 3 So now, Lord, please take my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.” 4 But the Lord asked, “Are you right to be angry?”

5 Jonah then left the city for a place to the east of it, where he built himself a hut and waited under it in the shade, to see what would happen to the city. 6 Then the Lord God provided a gourd plant. And when it grew up over Jonah’s head, giving shade that relieved him of any discomfort, Jonah was greatly delighted with the plant. 7 But the next morning at dawn God provided a worm that attacked the plant, so that it withered. 8 And when the sun arose, God provided a scorching east wind; and the sun beat upon Jonah’s head till he became faint. Then he wished for death, saying, “It is better for me to die than to live.”

Do you have a right to be angry?

Jonah was really upset and angry. So he prayed: Our Lord, I knew from the very beginning that you wouldn’t destroy Nineveh. That’s why I left my own country and headed for Spain. You are a kind and merciful God, and you are very patient. You always show love, and you don’t like to punish anyone. Now let me die! I’d be better off dead. The Lord replied, “What right do you have to be…

“When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened. 

But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. 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. Now, LORD, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.’ 

But the LORD replied, ‘Is it right for you to be angry?’ ” 

Jonah’s Anger at Yahweh’s Compassion

1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.

2 And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.

3 Therefore now, O Lord, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.

4 Then said the Lord, Doest thou well to be angry?

5 So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city.

6 And the Lord God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.

7 But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.

8 And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.

9 And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death.

10 Then said the Lord, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:

Wednesday, 7/1/26

SCRIPTURE:

So he prayed: Our Lord, I knew from the very beginning that You wouldn't destroy Nineveh.  That's why I left my own country and headed for Spain.  You are a kind and merciful God, and You are very patient.  You always show love, and You don't like to punish anyone. ~ Jonah 4:2

OBSERVATION:

This is, of course, true:

The Lord doesn't like to punish...

...anyone...

He is kind...

...merciful...

...very patient...

He always shows love...

...most prominently through Jesus...

That's NOT saying I can do what I want when I want in disobedience...

Question God's Word, "knowing" what He will or He won't do...

"...destroy Nineveh..."

...or "Take off for Spain" as it were...

APPLICATION:

Be mindful of my tone when praying...

Confess any anger... 

With others...

...with Him... 

Be thankful for His kindness, mercy, patience, love...

...and restraint...

PRAYER: 

Patient, kind, merciful, loving Father - please forgive my headstrong, stiff-necked reliance on myself, that questions and sometimes, when I get down to it, doesn't believe what Your Word tells me, that sends me off on a different direction, away from where You would have me be, doing what You would have me do... May the Holy Spirit's presence remind me that Your will and purposes see everything and that my place is on my knees, seeking to follow, for Your glory and praise and worship... In the Name of Jesus, and for Your coming Kingdom...

...and so wraps Jonah - on to Micah?

𝖌

Today is the 47th day of the Omer.

(Link to full chapter text on Sefaria)

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