“So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city†(Jonah 4:5).
Being angry and pouting tend to go hand in hand. Jonah did take his self-pity out of the city. He was hoping God would change His mind and he could view the city from where he sat, go up in flames. Jonah really had some issues to deal with. How could he, a prophet of a loving God, think and feel the way he did? Did he really think the way he was acting would change the outcome for Nineveh? They repented and God spared them. Jonah needed to feel better not bitter.
The booth where Jonah had placed himself didn’t stay shady. The sun beat down and the sweat Jonah was encountering was stinging his eyes. God was mindful of this and prepared something called a gourd which was like a hard shelled plant to shade Jonah from the sun. Even when we are in deep despair or drift away from God, He is never far from us. We are the ones that move away from Him. No doubt, Jonah appreciated the shade and comfort of that gourd but the story doesn’t end here. Jonah didn’t deserve God’s compassion and neither do we when we act like Jonah. Aren’t you glad He loves us in spite of ourselves?
Sue Winchester
Missouri
PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for WNAC Executive Committee member Jan Clay as she prepares to lead worship at the WNAC National Retreat at Ridgecrest, September 11-13.
