Jonah 4
BSB1 Jonah, however, was greatly displeased, and he became angry. 2 So he prayed to the LORD, saying, “O LORD, is this not what I said while I was still in my own country? This is why I was so quick to flee toward Tarshish. I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion—One who relents from sending disaster. 3 And now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live." 4 But the LORD replied, “Have you any right to be angry?" 5 Then Jonah left the city and sat down east of it, where he made himself a shelter and sat in its shade to see what would happen to the city. 6 So the LORD God appointed a vine, and it grew up to provide shade over Jonah’s head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was greatly pleased with the plant. 7 When dawn came the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant so that it withered. 8 As the sun was rising, God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint and wished to die, saying, “It is better for me to die than to live." 9 Then God asked Jonah, “Have you any right to be angry about the plant?” “I do,” he replied. “I am angry enough to die!" 10 But the LORD said, “You cared about the plant, which you neither tended nor made grow. It sprang up in a night and perished in a night. 11 So should I not care about the great city of Nineveh, which has more than 120,000 people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well?"
Study Notes — Jonah 4
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Jonah 4
- Themes from Jonah 4
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Jonah 4
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
In Jonah 4, Jonah is upset that God did not destroy Nineveh, and he becomes angry with God. He says, 'Isn't this what I said, Lord, when I was still in my own country? That's why I tried to escape to Tarshish, because I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity' (Jonah 4:2). God responds by causing a plant to grow over Jonah, providing him with shade, and then causing it to wither and die. This teaches Jonah a lesson about God's care for all people, including the Ninevites. The chapter ends with God asking Jonah if he has a right to be angry about the plant, and Jonah is left to consider God's question.
Context for the Chapter
This chapter is part of the book of Jonah, which tells the story of Jonah's call to preach to the Ninevites. The book of Jonah is part of the larger narrative of the Old Testament, which highlights God's desire to show mercy and forgiveness to all people. The chapter is also connected to the New Testament, which mentions the story of Jonah and the Ninevites as a sign of the coming judgment and the importance of repentance.
Heart Application
This chapter teaches us about God's mercy and patience, and the importance of responding to his message. We should repent and turn to God, just like the Ninevites did, and trust in his mercy and forgiveness. We should also be patient and compassionate towards others, just like God is towards us.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
This chapter is about God's mercy and Jonah's anger. God spares the city of Nineveh after Jonah preaches to them, but Jonah becomes angry because he feels that God has been too merciful. God teaches Jonah a lesson about his care for all people, including the Ninevites. We can learn from this chapter about God's mercy and patience, and the importance of responding to his message. (Jonah 4:2, 11)
Voices from the Church
“The mercy of God is not a lazy or idle thing, but a powerful and effective thing, which can change the hearts of men and bring them to repentance.”
— John Calvin
“The story of Jonah and the Ninevites is a powerful reminder of the importance of repentance and the coming judgment. We should all repent and turn to God, lest we face the same judgment as the Ninevites would have if they had not repented.”
— Charles Spurgeon
Outline for Preaching
- Jonah's Anger (Jonah 4:1-3) — Jonah becomes angry with God because he feels that God has been too merciful to the Ninevites. He says that he knew God was gracious and compassionate, and that's why he tried to escape to Tarshish.
- God's Response (Jonah 4:4-11) — God responds to Jonah's anger by causing a plant to grow over him, providing him with shade, and then causing it to wither and die. This teaches Jonah a lesson about God's care for all people, including the Ninevites.
- The Lesson of the Plant (Jonah 4:6-11) — The plant that God causes to grow over Jonah teaches him a lesson about God's care for all people. God asks Jonah if he has a right to be angry about the plant, and Jonah is left to consider God's question.
- God's Care for All People (Jonah 4:10-11) — God teaches Jonah that he cares for all people, including the Ninevites. He says that he will not destroy the city because it is full of people who do not know their right hand from their left.
- Conclusion (Jonah 4:11) — The chapter ends with God's question to Jonah, asking him if he has a right to be angry about the plant. This leaves Jonah, and the reader, to consider God's care for all people and the importance of responding to his message.
Core Doctrines
- God's Mercy
- This chapter teaches us about God's mercy and patience, and the importance of responding to his message. We see that God is willing to show mercy to those who repent, just like the Ninevites did.
- Repentance
- The chapter highlights the importance of repentance and turning to God. The Ninevites repent and turn to God, and God spares the city.
- God's Sovereignty
- The chapter teaches us about God's sovereignty and control over all things. God causes a plant to grow over Jonah, and then causes it to wither and die, teaching Jonah a lesson about his care for all people.
- God's Love
- The chapter highlights God's love and care for all people, including the Ninevites. God is willing to show mercy and forgiveness to those who repent and turn to him.
Lessons from Jonah 4
- God's Mercy is Available to All — The chapter teaches us that God's mercy is available to all people, regardless of their background or circumstances. We see that God is willing to show mercy to the Ninevites, who were a wicked and sinful people.
- Repentance is Necessary for Salvation — The chapter highlights the importance of repentance and turning to God. The Ninevites repent and turn to God, and God spares the city.
- God's Sovereignty is Over All Things — The chapter teaches us about God's sovereignty and control over all things. God causes a plant to grow over Jonah, and then causes it to wither and die, teaching Jonah a lesson about his care for all people.
- God's Love is for All People — The chapter highlights God's love and care for all people, including the Ninevites. God is willing to show mercy and forgiveness to those who repent and turn to him.
- We Should Respond to God's Message — The chapter teaches us about the importance of responding to God's message and turning to him. We should repent and turn to God, just like the Ninevites did, and trust in his mercy and forgiveness.
Themes from Jonah 4
- God's Mercy and Patience — The chapter teaches us about God's mercy and patience, and the importance of responding to his message. We see that God is willing to show mercy to those who repent, just like the Ninevites did.
- Repentance and Forgiveness — The chapter highlights the importance of repentance and forgiveness. The Ninevites repent and turn to God, and God spares the city.
- God's Sovereignty and Control — The chapter teaches us about God's sovereignty and control over all things. God causes a plant to grow over Jonah, and then causes it to wither and die, teaching Jonah a lesson about his care for all people.
- God's Love and Care for All People — The chapter highlights God's love and care for all people, including the Ninevites. God is willing to show mercy and forgiveness to those who repent and turn to him.
- The Importance of Responding to God's Message — The chapter teaches us about the importance of responding to God's message and turning to him. We should repent and turn to God, just like the Ninevites did, and trust in his mercy and forgiveness.
Questions for Meditation
- What can we learn from Jonah's anger and God's response to it?
- How does the story of Jonah and the Ninevites relate to our own lives and the importance of repentance?
- What does the chapter teach us about God's mercy and patience?
- How can we apply the lesson of the plant to our own lives and relationships with others?
- What does the chapter teach us about God's sovereignty and control over all things?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. Jonah's Anger (Jonah 4:1-3)
| 4:1 | Jonah becomes angry with God because he feels that God has been too merciful to the Ninevites. |
| 4:2 | Jonah says that he knew God was gracious and compassionate, and that's why he tried to escape to Tarshish. |
| 4:3 | Jonah asks God to take his life, because he would rather die than see the Ninevites spared. |
2. God's Response (Jonah 4:4-11)
| 4:4 | God responds to Jonah's anger by asking him if he has a right to be angry. |
| 4:5 | Jonah goes out of the city and waits to see what will happen to it. |
| 4:6 | God causes a plant to grow over Jonah, providing him with shade. |
| 4:7 | God causes the plant to wither and die, and Jonah becomes angry again. |
| 4:8 | God asks Jonah if he has a right to be angry about the plant. |
| 4:9 | Jonah says that he does have a right to be angry, because the plant was a great comfort to him. |
| 4:10 | God says that Jonah was concerned about the plant, which he did not plant or care for, but he is not concerned about the Ninevites, who are like the plant. |
| 4:11 | God says that he will not destroy the city, because it is full of people who do not know their right hand from their left. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jonah become angry with God?
Jonah became angry with God because he felt that God had been too merciful to the Ninevites. He thought that God should have destroyed the city, rather than sparing it. (Jonah 4:1-3)
What did God teach Jonah through the plant?
God taught Jonah a lesson about his care for all people, including the Ninevites. The plant that God caused to grow over Jonah provided him with shade, but when it withered and died, Jonah became angry again. God asked Jonah if he had a right to be angry about the plant, and Jonah was left to consider God's question. (Jonah 4:6-11)
What can we learn from the story of Jonah and the Ninevites?
We can learn about the importance of repentance and turning to God. The Ninevites repented and turned to God, and God spared the city. We can also learn about God's mercy and patience, and the importance of responding to his message. (Jonah 4:1-11)
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonah 4:2 → Exodus 34:6 | The description of God as 'gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love' is similar to the description of God in Exodus 34:6. |
| 2 | Jonah 4:11 → Matthew 12:41 | The story of Jonah and the Ninevites is mentioned in Matthew 12:41 as a sign of the coming judgment and the importance of repentance. |
| 3 | Jonah 4:2 → Psalm 103:8 | The description of God as 'slow to anger and abounding in love' is similar to the description of God in Psalm 103:8. |
| 4 | Jonah 4:11 → Luke 11:32 | The story of Jonah and the Ninevites is mentioned in Luke 11:32 as an example of people who repented at the preaching of Jonah. |
| 5 | Jonah 4:2 → Joel 2:13 | The description of God as 'gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love' is similar to the description of God in Joel 2:13. |
| 6 | Jonah 4:11 → Jonah 1:2 | The story of Jonah and the Ninevites is connected to the call of Jonah to preach to the Ninevites in Jonah 1:2. |
| 7 | Jonah 4:2 → Micah 7:18 | The description of God as 'gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love' is similar to the description of God in Micah 7:18. |
| 8 | Jonah 4:11 → Romans 2:4 | The story of Jonah and the Ninevites is connected to the concept of God's kindness and patience in Romans 2:4. |
| 9 | Jonah 4:2 → Nahum 1:3 | The description of God as 'slow to anger' is similar to the description of God in Nahum 1:3. |
| 10 | Jonah 4:11 → 2 Peter 3:9 | The story of Jonah and the Ninevites is connected to the concept of God's patience and desire for all people to repent in 2 Peter 3:9. |
Sermons on Jonah 4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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A Worm's Eye View of Missions by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the lessons Jonah learned about God in the first three chapters of the book of Jonah. In chapter one, Jonah learns about God's providence and |
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Destroying Pop-Christian Views of Marital Bliss - Part 2 by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the preacher uses the analogy of a man walking in the woods, unaware that he is being stalked by a 1200-pound grizzly bear, to illustrate the spiritual blindness th |
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The Deeper Death by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of prayer and its role in testing one's character. He emphasizes that true prayer is not just reciting pre-recorded prayers, b |
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How to Save a City by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Jonah and the city of Nineveh. He highlights the incredible missionary miracle that occurred when the entire city, possibly cons |
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Angry With God by J. Glyn Owen | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jonah and his rebellion against God. He highlights Jonah's desire to die and his grumbling because of his discomfort. The preac |
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God Has Prepared a Place for You by Teresa Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jonah in the Bible. He highlights how the preaching of God's word can have a profound impact on people's lives, even those who |
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Sign of the Prophet Jonah by Dr. A.E. Wilder-Smith | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jonah from the Bible. Jonah was a Hebrew who feared the Lord and was called by God to go to the city of Nineveh and preach agai |
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Give God Your Heart by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the preacher uses a story about a house with missing keys to illustrate the concept of giving our whole hearts to God. The buyer of the house insists on having all |
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Jonah #4: How God Makes Us Into a Sign by Ed Miller | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jonah and how God turned him into a sign. Jonah initially resisted God's commission to go to Nineveh and fled from His presence |
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Jonah #5: Jonah's Attitude by Ed Miller | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the fourth chapter of the book of Jonah. He addresses the questions that arise from Jonah's apparent lack of change in his heart towards Nin |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Jonah 4
In this chapter, we see the prophet Jonah struggling with the idea of God's mercy being extended to the wicked city of Nineveh. Despite his initial reluctance, Jonah preached to the Ninevites and they repented, leading to God's decision to spare the city. However, Jonah's anger and disappointment with God's decision reveal his own limited understanding of God's character. Through the parable of the plant, God teaches Jonah a lesson about his care for all people, regardless of their background or circumstances. This chapter highlights the importance of repentance, the patience and mercy of God, and the need for believers to trust in God's sovereignty and wisdom. As Matthew Henry notes, 'God's mercy is not a lazy or idle thing, but a powerful and effective thing, which can change the hearts of men and bring them to repentance.' Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
Jonah's Anger
Jonah becomes angry with God because he feels that God has been too merciful to the Ninevites. This highlights the tension between God's justice and mercy, and Jonah's limited understanding of God's character.
God's Patience
God is patient with Jonah and teaches him a lesson about his care for all people, including the Ninevites. This highlights God's desire to give people time to repent and turn to him.
The Lesson of the Plant
The plant that God causes to grow over Jonah teaches him a lesson about God's care for all people. This highlights God's desire to show mercy and forgiveness to those who repent.