READ: Jon. 4:9–11: ‘… It is right for me to be angry … You have had pity on the plant … should I not pity Nineveh, that great city …?’
Jonah insists that he is justified in his anger. Indeed, he accuses God of acting wrongly, of committing an injustice. This is a very serious matter. Yet even now the LORD does not deal harshly with Jonah. He still seeks to win His servant through the gospel.
For that is what this account is ultimately about: the glad tidings that God, according to His good pleasure, brings sinners to repentance and saves them from destruction. He chooses His own, He calls them all, and in His longsuffering He ensures that not one of them shall perish. This is the gospel that Jonah still fails to understand.
The LORD now patiently explains once more why Jonah has no right to be angry with his God. Jonah wished to keep the plant that had given him so much comfort and refreshment. He rejoiced in that plant and grieved deeply when it was taken away.
But then the LORD makes clear to him: You yourself contributed absolutely nothing to the growth of this plant. I caused it to grow in a single night. You neither planted it nor watered it. While you slept, I gave it to you. When you awoke, you saw it and enjoyed its shade and comfort.
Now compare this with the people of Nineveh—the men, the women, the children, and even the cattle. They are all creatures whom I Myself have made, that I might delight in them. I spared them from My wrath. They were created for My glory, and therefore I love them, just as you loved that plant.
Consider, then, that My grief over the destruction of My own creatures cannot be compared with your grief over a plant that was given to you in a moment and taken away in a moment. How much right did you actually have to that plant? None at all.
Jonah must therefore recognize the injustice of his accusation against God and his own ingratitude. How unreasonable it is to reproach the Creator for acting in a manner that serves His own good pleasure and glory.
Jonah—and all of us who share in God’s lovingkindness—must understand that we receive everything solely through undeserved grace. This ought to move us to praise and glorify our LORD God forever.
Explain the statement: “God’s longsuffering is unto our salvation.”
Sing: Ps. 86:5.