Jonah knew God was merciful, which is why he didn’t want to go to Nineveh – they might repent and receive mercy from God.
This great and terrible city had done much to hurt others and was full of wickedness, yet when Jonah came with a message from God, they all repented.
Jonah, wanting these people to pay for their sins, sat and watched and was waiting for their judgment. While he was waiting, God grew a plant to give him shade, and he loved it. The next day, God had a worm destroy the plant, and Jonah was distraught.
Jonah 4:9–11 (NIV84):
But God said to Jonah, “Do you have a right to be angry about the vine?”
“I do,” he said. “I am angry enough to die.”
10 But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. 11 But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?”
This hit me: am I more concerned about my own comfort than I am about the souls of those around me?
Really! We can get on Jonah about his drama and hate for the Ninevehites, or we can ask God: what are you teaching me from the life of Jonah?
Father, you care greatly for the souls of all the people in our lives. You can care for all our needs and even provide for our comfort.
May we focus our hearts on what you care about. May we care for the souls of those around us. May we let You care for us.
