“And the Lord God prepared a gourd, and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head…” Jonah 4:6
Dear Ones:
The story of Jonah is a remarkable narrative concerning the relationship between a prophet and his God. A great deal is revealed to us about this prophet, in particular with regard to his disposition of heart, and the freedom with which he is very candid and open before God. That which we first see in his relationship with God is that, he not only recognizes clearly when “the word of the Lord” came to him, but also, discerns the intent of God with regard to that word. He knew that God, in His wisdom and grace, knowing all things, desired and willed to confront the people of Ninevah with spiritual reality of their attitude, disposition, and actions towards God Himself. As a result, they were in grave peril, as judgment was coming upon them if they did not repent. Their hope of being awakened to this peril and destruction would be by the mouth of a single man, who would need to travel a very great distance, and proclaim exactly what the Lord wanted him to say.
The second thing we notice in the life of Jonah is that he is VERY opinionated, forthright, and committed to that which he believes is right, and sometimes, not right. Upon hearing the “word of the Lord” the first time, instead of immediately heading towards Ninevah, he embarks on a ship heading in the opposite direction. For some reason he thought that, though he was a prophet of God, and believing that God was sovereign, and all-knowing, he could escape the responsibility of bringing a life-giving word to the Ninevites. Perhaps he believed that, in “fleeing from the presence of the Lord,” he just might be relieved of this burden which he did not want to carry. His reasoning was false, and his assumption that God might just leave him alone, and forget about him,was wrong also. Jonah, as a passenger on that ship, was caught in a violent storm at sea. Jonah reveals his true identity as a Hebrew to all on board, recognizing that God’s hand was in the storm. Regardless of these circumstances, this prophet was resolved NOT to change his mind. It would take three days in the belly of a fish to bring him to the place where he again was willing to pray, and “sacrifice unto the Lord with the voice of thanksgiving,” declaring: “I will pay that I have vowed.” (2:9)
The third thing we learn about Jonah was that he was a man of faith. He KNEW that if the “word of the Lord” was preached by the enabling power of the Spirit, there would certainly be results. God’s word would NOT return unto Him void, and without effect. It was that “effect” that Jonah had trouble with, for he did not want the Ninevites saved or delivered from wrath. Displeased by the right response of the people to God by his preaching, he becomes angry for such a result. It is then, outside of the city, that the Great Teacher, God Himself, will teach His servant a great lesson, and bring to light that He is indeed: “…a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.” (4:2) The Lord God will make a gourd to grow up over Jonah to shelter him from the intense heat of the day. “Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.” (4:6) However, the next morning “God prepared a worm” which killed the gourd. God would then send a “powerful east wind,” certainly very hot. With Jonah wishing himself to die, God would then ask him: “Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd?” Jonah’s anger was based on the value that he put on the gourd, and its benefit to him now gone. It is then, in contrast, that the infinite value of the souls of Ninevah would be revealed to him. The worth that God put on Ninevah’s souls, infinitely exceeded the value Jonah placed in the gourd.
Dear Father, Give us to always see with Your eyes. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad