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1 But this really upset* In the sense that Jonah thought that this was a wrong decision on God's part. Jonah, and he became very angry. 2 He prayed to the Lord and told him, “Lord, wasn't this what I said when I was back home?† Literally, “in my land.” That's why I ran away to Tarshish in the first place! For I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, very patient‡ Or “slow to become angry.” and full of kindhearted love, who relents from sending disaster. 3 So just kill me now, Lord, because I'd prefer to die than to live!”
4 The Lord responded, “Do you have a good reason to be so angry?”§ Or “Is it good for you to be so angry?” or “What right do you have to be so angry?”
5 Jonah left the city and sat down to the east of it. There he made himself a shelter so he could sit in the shade and watch what would happen to the city. 6 The Lord God had a plant grow up and provide shade over Jonah's head to ease his discomfort. Jonah was very happy with the plant. 7 The next day at dawn the Lord had a maggot attack the plant and it withered. 8 Then as the sun came up the Lord arranged for a scorching east wind to blow, and the sun beat down on Jonah's head so that he became faint and wanted to die. “I'd rather die than live!” he said.
9 But the Lord asked Jonah, “Do you have a good reason to be so angry about the plant?”
“Yes I do!” Jonah replied. “I'm angry enough to die!”
10 Then the Lord told Jonah, “You're concerned about a plant which you did nothing about, and you didn't make it grow. It came up overnight and died overnight. 11 Shouldn't I be concerned about the great city of Nineveh where one hundred and twenty thousand people live who don't know their right hand from their left,* In other words they are spiritually ignorant. not to mention all the animals?”

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*4:1 In the sense that Jonah thought that this was a wrong decision on God's part.

†4:2 Literally, “in my land.”

‡4:2 Or “slow to become angry.”

§4:4 Or “Is it good for you to be so angry?” or “What right do you have to be so angry?”

*4:11 In other words they are spiritually ignorant.

© 2018 Dr. Jonathan Gallagher