1. kai eluphqh iwnaV luphn megalhn kai sunecuqh
2. kai proseuxato proV kurion kai eipen w kurie ouc outoi oi logoi mou eti ontoV mou en th gh mou dia touto proefqasa tou fugein eiV qarsiV dioti egnwn oti su elehmwn kai oiktirmwn makroqumoV kai polueleoV kai metanown epi taiV kakiaiV
3. kai nun despota kurie labe thn yuchn mou ap' emou oti kalon to apoqanein me h zhn me
4. kai eipen kurioV proV iwnan ei sfodra leluphsai su
5. kai exhlqen iwnaV ek thV polewV kai ekaqisen apenanti thV polewV kai epoihsen eautw ekei skhnhn kai ekaqhto upokatw authV en skia ewV ou apidh ti estai th polei
6. kai prosetaxen kurioV o qeoV kolokunqh kai anebh uper kefalhV tou iwna tou einai skian uperanw thV kefalhV autou tou skiazein autw apo twn kakwn autou kai ecarh iwnaV epi th kolokunqh caran megalhn
7. kai prosetaxen o qeoV skwlhki ewqinh th epaurion kai epataxen thn kolokunqan kai apexhranqh
8. kai egeneto ama tw anateilai ton hlion kai prosetaxen o qeoV pneumati kauswnoV sugkaionti kai epataxen o hlioV epi thn kefalhn iwna kai wligoyuchsen kai apelegeto thn yuchn autou kai eipen kalon moi apoqanein me h zhn
9. kai eipen o qeoV proV iwnan ei sfodra leluphsai su epi th kolokunqh kai eipen sfodra leluphmai egw ewV qanatou
10. kai eipen kurioV su efeisw uper thV kolokunqhV uper hV ouk ekakopaqhsaV ep' authn kai ouk exeqreyaV authn h egenhqh upo nukta kai upo nukta apwleto
11. egw de ou feisomai uper nineuh thV polewV thV megalhV en h katoikousin pleiouV h dwdeka muriadeV anqrwpwn oitineV ouk egnwsan dexian autwn h aristeran autwn kai kthnh polla .
Footnotes:
4:1-3 - Jonah is furious at God's mercy toward Nineveh. This episode reveals the human challenge of understanding divine grace, especially when it extends to those we consider enemies or unworthy (see also Matthew 5:44 and Luke 15:28-32).
4:4-6 - God causes a plant to grow to provide shade for Jonah, and then causes it to wither. The lesson is that we must trust in God's wisdom and providence, who knows what is best for us and teaches us through our circumstances (see also Philippians 4:12-13 and James 1:5).
4:7-9 - God questions Jonah about his anger toward the dying plant. This situation illustrates the human tendency to cling to the ephemeral and to fail to understand God's compassion for the greater good of all (see also Romans 9:20-21 and 1 Corinthians 9:24-27).
4:10-11 - God explains to Jonah that He has compassion on Nineveh, a large city with over 120,000 people. This reinforces the idea that God's mercy extends to everyone, without exception, and that God desires everyone to be saved (see also 2 Peter 3:9 and 1 Timothy 2:4).
Verses related to Jonas, 4:
Jonah chapter 4 reveals the prophet's inner struggle with God's mercy. Why does Jonah resent God's compassion for Nineveh? This provocative text exposes Jonah's bitterness and his preference for justice over mercy. The chapter uses the plant metaphor to teach Jonah about divine compassion. Jonah 4 challenges our understanding of God's love for all people and our own attitude toward "enemies." Ponder with us five biblical passages that illuminate the themes of grace and mercy expressed in this challenging final chapter.
Luke 15:28-30: "The eldest son was filled with anger and refused to enter. Then his father came out and urged him. But he answered his father: 'Look! All these years I have worked like a slave in your service and have never disobeyed your orders. But you never gave me even a kid to celebrate with my friends. But when that son of yours, who wasted your wealth with prostitutes, returns home, you kill the fatted calf for him!'" - The attitude of the eldest son in the parable of the prodigal son reflects Jonah's indignation at God's mercy towards Nineveh.
Romans 9:15-16: "For he says to Moses, 'I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.' Therefore, this does not depend on human desire or effort, but on God's mercy." - This verse reflects the theme of God's sovereignty and mercy, central to Jonah's conflict in chapter 4.
Micah 7:18: "Who is comparable to you, O God, who forgives sin and forgets the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You who do not remain angry forever, but take pleasure in showing love." - Micah exalts God's mercy, contrasting with Jonah's attitude in chapter 4.
Psalms 103:8-10: "The Lord is compassionate and merciful, very patient and full of love. He doesn't constantly accuse us or resent us forever; He does not deal with us according to our sins nor repay us according to our iniquities." - This psalm celebrates the attributes of God that Jonah struggled to accept in chapter 4.
Isaiah 55:8-9: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.'" - This verse reflects the theme of the superiority of God's thoughts and ways, contrasting with Jonah's limited perspective in chapter 4.
FAQ:
How did Jonah react to God's mercy to Nineveh?
Jonah was angered by God's mercy toward Nineveh, for he desired the city to be destroyed, not understanding God's goodness. (Jonah 4:1-3)
What did God teach Jonah through the plant that grew?
God made a plant grow to give Jonah shade, but then caused it to wither, teaching him that God's mercy is great and He has compassion for all. (Jonah 4:6-11)
Why did God rebuke Jonah at the end of the book?
God rebuked Jonah for feeling sorry for the plant but not caring about Nineveh's impending destruction, showing that Jonah needed to learn to have compassion for people as God does. (Jonah 4:9-11)
What does God reveal about His nature in the book of Jonah?
God reveals His compassion, mercy, and willingness to forgive, even to the most unrepentant sinners, such as the inhabitants of Nineveh. (Jonah 4:10-11)
What is the main lesson of the book of Jonah?
The main lesson of the book of Jonah is that God offers His mercy to everyone, regardless of their background or sin, and expects His followers to share in that compassion. (Jonah 4:10-11)
