Jonah 4:6

New International Version

Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant[a] 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.

For Meditation

The man had guts. He stood before God and questioned His benevolence and compassion towards other people—the ignorant citizens of Nineveh (Jonah 4:11). The prophet Jonah thought they were too wicked to deserve God’s grace. Ironically, God’s compassion towards the Ninevites spells the meaning of grace—undeserved kindness, and the essence of His love.

The angry prophet forgot that, like the Ninevites, he too was unworthy of God’s gracious dealing with him concerning his hatred for the Ninevites, disobedience, and attempt to run away from His commission (Jonah 1:1-3). God’s mercy and gracious deliverance from the sea and the second chance given him did not speak to his heart concerning others (4-17). He sang God’s praises in the fish’s belly and escaped death without a sense of responsibility to show others God’s redeeming grace that He was working through Israel, Abraham’s seed (2:1-9; Gen. 12:1-3). It was all about him and his perspectives of the world. For other people, Jonah frowned on God’s nature.

Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. 

Isn’t that wonderful, Jonah? But no! Jonah would rather die than see God’s goodness and compassion extended to the Ninevites.

Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.

How heartless and insensitive! However, that is the nature of humans. We love God’s favor towards us and celebrate His goodness towards our children and loved ones. All other people do not deserve the same privileges from God as we have received.

Jonah was expressing the perceived exclusivity of Yahweh to the Jewish people—His covenant promises to Abraham. The nations are outside these divine privileges and do not deserve any consideration from God. Why should the Ninevites receive a reprieve from God for their many sins? Death was better for him than to live through that. Do you think his mindset was any different from ours today?

Could you take a closer look at our world today? Ponder over what drives the sharing of societal privileges among nations, communities, and individuals. It will amaze you to see the anger and hatred based on geographical location, skin color, education, and other factors. Consider our close-guarded family traditions and privileges. Jonah’s mindset cuts across them all. Even in Christ, we still exhibit the same discrimination when privileges are at stake (Acts 6:1-2). We, the recipients of God’s grace, forget that others deserve the same kindness and privileges from God as we have received. Sadly, it is getting worse.

May the Lord deal with us as He taught Jonah a life lesson he will never forget, a lesson we will share in tomorrow’s message. Hopefully, we might gain a heart of wisdom towards each other in Christ. Amen!

Pray with Me

Father, forgive our heartless denial of your mercy and grace to others, just as you have showered them on us in Christ. Let your Holy Spirit humble and enable us to see, feel, and walk as you did to save and keep us. In Him, we pray, amen.