Jonah 4

Scripture 

Jonah 4:9-10 

9 But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” “It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.” 10 But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. 11 And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”

Observation-What does it say? 

Jonah is very angry with God for his compassion over the city of Nineveh. (God relented from his anger towards them and did not bring the destruction he promised). Jonah became very depressed about it and asked the Lord to just take His life. So, God provided for him by giving him a shady plant to ease His discomfort and it made Jonah happy…until, God sent a worm and scorching heat, which withered the plant and led to Jonah being angry and depressed again. Then God asked Jonah if he had a right to be angry about the plant if he didn’t even take care of it, tend to it and make it grow.

Understanding-What does it mean? 

God was trying to teach Jonah about compassion and His specific compassion for the city of Nineveh.

Just like God tended to Jonah in his anger and depression, God was trying to show Jonah why He was concerned about Nineveh. They needed to be loved, cared for and tended to in order to continue to grow. 

Life Application

God is calling us to minister out of our comfort zones.

If 2020 has taught me anything, it’s that Jesus’ compassion and mercy is missing in this world and BOTH sides are guilty! I’ve found myself guilty of it as well. As a result of all the tension and fighting, guess who’s suffering? The people who God has called us to minister to.  Let us not be people who are pushing others away from Christ’s grace, mercy and compassion, but rather be an attractive presence in the life of someone who needs Jesus. Like Pastor says, we are called to be the “atmosphere changers.”

Luke 6:32- “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.”

Luke 6:36- “You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.”

-Michelle Gaddi