Jonah, 4
3. Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for [it is] better for me to die than to live.
3. Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for [it is] better for me to die than to live.
Jonah's chapter 4 deals with Jonah's response to God's mercy towards the city of Nineveh. Jonas is annoyed by the salvation of the Ninivites and wants death, even questioning God. Here are five verses related to the themes of the chapter:
Exodus 34:6-7: "And passing the Lord before his face, he cried, Lord, Lord, merciful and godly, lordy, to be angry and great in charity and truth; who keeps charity in thousands; , and transgression and sin; which to the guilty is not innocent; to visit the iniquity of parents about their children and children to the third and fourth generation. " This verse is one of God's best known descriptions in the Bible and highlights his mercy and compassion, which Jonas experienced firsthand when he was saved from death in the belly of the fish.
Isaiah 55:8-9: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor your ways my ways, says the Lord. For, just as heaven are higher than the earth, so are my ways the most High than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. " Jonas had difficulty understanding God's mercy to Nineveh and questioned his ways. This verse highlights the wisdom and superior understanding of God.
Romans 9:15-16: "For Moses says, I will pity my shackle, and I will have mercy on whom I have mercy. Thus, therefore, it does not depend on what they want, or what they run, but on God, who compasses Himself. " The apostle Paul quotes this passage from Exodus to point out that God's mercy is not based on human merit, but in his own nature. This is relevant to Jonas Chapter 4, where Jonas is struggling with the idea that Nineveh deserved punishment, while God decided to show mercy.
Luke 6:36: "He thirsts, therefore, merciful, as well as your Father is merciful." Jesus urges his followers to imitate God's mercy. This verse is relevant to Jonah chapter 4, where Jonas must learn to show mercy towards the city of Nineveh, just as God has shown mercy to him.
Psalm 145:8-9: "The Lord is good to all; His mercy reaches all his creatures. May all your creatures praise you, Lord; that your faithful bless you." This Psalm talks about God's goodness and mercy towards all his creatures, including the inhabitants of Nineveh, which highlights Jonas's lack of compassion on them.
“Caminhe com alegria e com o coração o mais sincero e aberto que puder. E quando não conseguir manter esta santa alegria, ao menos não perca nunca o valor e a confiança em Deus.” São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina
