1. Jonah Very Angry (vv.1-4)
In this book, there have been a succession of great things: a great wind (1:4); a great fish (1:17); a great city (3:2) and now a greatly displeased prophet! Jonah sees the repentance of Ninevah and becomes very angry. In fact, the words could be translated as "a great evil" - Jonah sees God's mercy as evil!
We know the story but still this is so shocking: a rebel who has so recently tasted afresh the grace of God is now angry that the same grace should be shown to others! In 3:10 the LORD relents from his anger and in 4:1 Jonah becomes angry. The contrast just couldn't be greater.
What's his problem? His complaint in vv.2,3 is that he knew all along that this would happen. This is the reason he ran away in the first place; "I knew you are a gracious and compassionate God". (nb: Jonah refers to 'my word' as opposed to the LORD's word)
His theology is not wrong but his heart is. Jonah is guilty of the worst sort of parochialism and nationalism: one that wants the best for its own and the rest can get what they deserve (nb: notice v.2 "at home")
Someone has said, "he cannot stomach Yahweh's cheapening his mercy by offering it to all and sundry" (Allen p.227). This is just how the Scribes and Pharisees felt. Is it how you feel too? Remember the story of the unforgiving servant (Mt 18:23-35).
In his anger he declares that he'd rather die, he'll cut off his nose to spite his face. His words echo those of Elijah. He may sound like him but this is no Elijah!
Do you get angry with God? Want everything your own way? It may be immaturity or a sign that there is much to be done in our hearts.
How does the LORD deal with him? By asking him a straightforward question: Have you any right to be angry? There is no answer but the question is a devastating one if we will face it. It asserts again the sovereignty of God. Who are we to argue with him?
2. Jonah: blessed and blazed! (vv.5-9)
So Jonah goes to sit down, east of the city. It's hot, so he builds himself a shelter of sorts. But still the LORD is active and causes another great thing to happen (the book shouts at us!) - a vine grows up and shades Jonah's head. And Jonah is right pleased (v.6)!
There we see again that willingness to receive God's blessings whilst still wanting to deny them to others.
But there is a lesson waiting for Jonah just around the corner. We cannot treat God like this and expect to get away with it. When he questioned him, the word for angry also means 'hot'. Now Jonah is going to feel the irony of that as God withers the vine and makes the sun blaze down on his head, giving him sunstroke (he grew faint).
The lesson is all about the sovereignty of God, the repeat question shows that. He is the LORD, the Creator who can make things grow and die. There is none like him.
This time, Jonah responds. "Yes I do have a right to be angry", he says, "and I'm angry enough to die!" Before, he wanted to die, contesting God's right to save (v.3); now, he wants to die, contesting God's right to destroy (the vine).
How fickle! Jonah wants to be in charge, he wants to handle God. But he cannot and we cannot. He is the LORD and we need always to recognise that and respond to it. Jonah had recognised that in his own deliverance (Salvation is from the LORD) but failed to work it through in the whole of life.
3. The Challenge of God's Compassion (vv.10,11)
So Jonah thinks he has a right to die. Now it's time to listen!
The LORD confronts him with his concern for a plant that he had not planted or cared for and contrasts that with his own Creator-concern for the vast number of Ninevites and the animals of the city too.
Here are people who are morally blind, they can't tell their left from their right. And the Father is saying, I forgive them, for they know not what they do.
What a contrast with the mean heart of Jonah! The question is a devastating one and we're not told of any answer from Jonah. Perhaps he was shamed into silence.
But the real effect of the question is to be upon us: what answer will we give? What are our hearts like? Is our compassion alive and well or are we in it for what we can get and everyone else can perish?
"A Jonah lurks in every Christian heart, whimpering his insidious message of smug prejudice, empty traditionalism, and exclusive solidarity. He that has ears to hear, let him hear and let him allow the saving love of God which has been outpoured in his own heart to remould his thinking and social orientation" (Allen p.235).
