Jonah’s Anger
1 Jonah was greatly displeased and became furious. y 2 He prayed to the LORD: z “Please, LORD, isn’t this what I thought while I was still in my own country? That’s why I fled toward Tarshish in the first place. a I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, b slow to anger, abounding in faithful love, and one who relents from sending disaster. c 3 And now, LORD, take my life from me, d for it is better for me to die than to live.” e
4 The LORD asked, “Is it right for you to be angry? ”
5 Jonah left the city and found a place east of it. f He made himself a shelter there and sat in its shade to see what would happen to the city. 6 Then the LORD God appointed a plant, and it grew over Jonah to provide shade for his head to rescue him from his trouble. Jonah was greatly pleased with the plant. 7 When dawn came the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant, and it withered. g
8 As the sun was rising, God appointed a scorching east wind. h The sun beat down on Jonah’s head i so much that he almost fainted, and he wanted to die. He said, “It’s better for me to die than to live.” j
9 Then God asked Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant? ”
“Yes, it’s right! ” he replied. “I’m angry enough to die! ”
10 So the LORD said, “You cared about the plant, which you did not labor over and did not grow. It appeared in a night and perished in a night. 11 But may I not care about the great city of Nineveh, k which has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot distinguish between their right and their left, l as well as many animals? ” m
A. Jonah’s unjustified anger toward God’s sparing of Nineveh (4:1–4). Jonah demonstrates his arrogance and lack of understanding as he reacts with unjustified anger after the Lord revokes his judgment toward Assyria (4:1). Ironically, God’s compassion lessens his divine wrath in 3:9–10, while the anger of Jonah is further inflamed. Jonah affirms his knowledge of God’s gracious and compassionate character, employing the formula in Ex 34:6–7 describing divine attributes (4:2; cf. Ps 103:8–13; Nah 1:3; Mc 7:18–19; Jl 2:13–14). In some sense, Jonah believes that the Lord’s mercy is exclusive to the nation of Israel and should not extend to the Gentiles.
B. God’s response to Jonah’s unjustified anger (4:5–11). 4:5–8. Jonah travels east of Nineveh and settles down to wait for Nineveh’s demise, as if it is inconceivable that God would spare the city (4:5). In an expression of mercy and compassion, the Lord appoints (cf. 1:17) a plant to shade and cool Jonah (4:6). Jonah rejoices in God’s merciful provision, an accommodation that Jonah does not deserve.
4:9–11. The Lord once again asks Jonah if he is justified in his anger over the shade plant, but the prophet refuses to acknowledge his error (4:9). God aims to bring Jonah to the realization that none of his creatures deserve God’s mercy, compassion, and grace. The author contrasts Jonah’s pleasure in God’s provision of undeserved mercy on his behalf with Jonah’s disappointment in God’s compassionate response to Nineveh. The Lord poses a rhetorical question that highlights his sovereignty and care for the world (4:11), yet it remains uncertain whether Jonah reaches a full understanding of the nature of God. Regardless, the Lord uses Jonah’s ministry to Nineveh and Assyria to reinforce his covenant promise to bless the nations through the descendants of Abraham (Gn 12:1–3).