Jonah 3 & 4 - Worm-eaten Gratitude

Jonah was told by God to warn the city of Ninevah that they were about to be judged for their wickedness. Jonah wanted God to destroy them without any warning, so he sailed off the the west, away from Ninevah. God got his attention and sent him eastward again in a whale of a ride.
When Jonah arrived in Ninevah, he announced God's warning, but the whole time he was relishing the fact that the city was under threat of destruction. However, the Ninevites responded by wearing burlap and fasting from food. (Jonah 3:5)

Every time the burlap itched, every time their stomach rumbled, it reminded the Ninevites to humble themselves before God. The king himself did the same and proclaimed, "everyone must pray earnestly to God. They must turn from their evil ways and stop all their violence." (Jonah 3:8, New Living Translation, 2015)

In response, God "did not carry out the destruction he had threatened." (3:10, NLT)

Jonah blew up in anger. "I knew it!" he said, "You're a merciful, loving God who would much prefer to forgive people than destroy them. Just kill me since you didn't wipe out my enemies like I predicted." (Jonah 4:2-3. KJC paraphrase)

God asked him if his anger was the right response, but Jonah went outside the city to pout, sitting in the sun, probably still hoping that something bad would happen to the people of Ninevah.

The same God who planted the Garden of Eden, now sprouted a leafy plant to grow right over Jonah to give him shade. "This eased his comfort, and Jonah was grateful for the plant," (4:6, NLT) His gratitude didn't last long.

It was the set up for an object lesson. God had used weather before--a storm at sea--to get Jonah's attention. Now he sent a "scorching east wind." (4:8, NLT) Earlier, God sent a great fish to rescue Jonah at sea. In this  situation, God had already sent an obedient worm to eat up the shady plant. Jonah's gratitude for shade was worm-eaten.  The heat exposed not just his head; it exposed his heart.

“Death is certainly better than living like this!” he exclaimed. (4:8, NLT)

A second time, God asked, "Is it right for you to be angry?" (v.9) Jonah groused, "Yes... angry enough to die" (4:9, NLT) He preferred to die than see his enemies live.

Then God wrapped up the object lesson:
"You feel sorry about the plant... shouldn't I feel sorry for a city with more than 120,000 people--not to mention all the animals?"  (4:11, KJC) Ninevah wasn't kosher; they probably kept hogs as well as cattle! Yet God was concerned for animals that might suffer due to human error.

Lord, You don't tell us... What happened to Jonah? More importantly, your questions to him challenge me: when I get irritated and self-centered, when I'm angry that people don't get what I think they deserve, when I lose all perspective. I want to obey you as readily as the sea and the wind, as quickly as a whale and a worm. And may my gratitude for simple blessings not be marred by anger over minor aggravations. In the name of the compassionate Christ I pray, Amen.

Photo: Penn State Creative Commons https://www.psu.edu/news/research/story/caterpillar-deceives-corn-plant-lowering-defenses-against-it/