Jonah 4:5-11 - Mercy Worms Its Way In

Jonah said he'd rather die than watch God forgive Jonah's enemies. There was a bit of prejudice as well as anger at work. (Jonah 4:3)

Are we as thrilled with forgiving people as God is...especially when He shows mercy to someone who really gets on our nerves? What does it take to learn God-sized graciousness?

Here's the lesson God gave Jonah:   (Jonah 4:5–11, New Living Translation, 2015)  

5 Then Jonah went out to the east side of the city and made a shelter to sit under as he waited to see what would happen to the [Ninevah].

In his pouting, he still hoped that Ninevah will be destroyed.

 6 And the Lord God arranged for a leafy plant to grow there, and soon it spread its broad leaves over Jonah’s head, shading him from the sun. This eased his discomfort, and Jonah was very grateful for the plant. 7 But God also arranged for a worm! The next morning at dawn the worm ate through the stem of the plant so that it withered away.

The next morning, Jonah was still pouting, still wishing God wasn't so gracious

8a And as the sun grew hot, God arranged for a scorching east wind to blow on Jonah. The sun beat down on his head until he grew faint and wished to die. 

God sent all three: A plant, A worm, A scorching wind. (Compare Jonah to Job 1:21.)

8b “Death is certainly better than living like this!” he exclaimed.

It's a bad sign when we'd rather suffer our own loss than see someone else gain.

9 Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry because the plant died?” “Yes,” Jonah retorted, “even angry enough to die!” 10 Then the Lord said, “You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there. It came quickly and died quickly. 11 But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?”

Jonah felt sorry about a plant that can feel no pain.
Jonah was actually sorry for his own loss, not the plant.

Jonah was angry at the Ninevites.
Jonah was actually angry with God.

Some people have a difficult time admitting when they're angry. 
Okay... Call it "being upset," "out of sorts," "irritated," "disgusted,"
But they all seem to accompany a lack of mercy, compassion and love.

God, when I find myself irritated, show me what is really bothering me. Remind me of what is genuinely important. Mold my heart to be compassionate, just like You are. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Photo credit: James Nix,
https://independenttribune.com/news/10-things-to-know-about-cankerworms/article_c862fe28-f81e-11e5-b637-7f9525885072.html