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Jonah, 4

1. As for Jonas, he took it sore amiss, and was an angry man that day.

2. And thus he made his prayer to the Lord: See if this be not the very thought I had, far away in my own country! Good cause had I to seek refuge at Tharsis from such an errand as this. I knew from the first what manner of God thou art, how kind and merciful, how slow to punish, how rich in pardon, vengeance ever ready to forgo.

3. A boon of thee, Lord! Take away this life of mine; I had rather die than live.

4. Why, the Lord said, what anger is this?✻

5. Jonas had left the city, and sat now under a little arbour he had made for himself on the east of it, waiting there in the shade to see what doom would fall on Nineve.

6. And now, at the Lord God’s bidding, an ivy-plant grew up over Jonas’ head, to give him shade and shelter after his toiling; and great joy he had of his ivy-plant.

7. But when the morrow dawned, came at God’s bidding a worm, that struck at the plant’s root and killed it.

8. Up rose the sun, and at the Lord’s bidding the sirocco came; here was Jonas with the sun’s rays beating on his head, and all of a sweat. Now indeed his heart’s prayer was, he might die; Better death than life, said he.

9. Why, said the Lord, what anger is this over an ivy-plant? Deadly angry am I, Jonas answered, and no marvel either.

10. Great pity thou hast, the Lord said, for yonder ivy-plant, that was not of thy growing, and no toil cost thee; a plant that springs in a night, and in a night must wither!

11. And what of Nineve? Here is a great city, with a hundred and twenty thousand folk in it, and none of them can tell right from left, all these cattle, too; and may I not spare Nineve?


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Notas al pie:

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).

Versos relacionados con Jonah, 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)


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