a4:1-7
b4:8-11
c4:1
d4:2
e1:3
fExod 34:6-7
gMatt 28:18-20
h4:3-5
i4:8-9
j4:5

‏ Jonah 4:1-3

Summary for Jonah 4:1-7: 4:1-7  a The account takes an unexpected turn. Jonah, himself a recipient of God’s mercy, complains about the mercy that the Lord has dispensed to the Assyrians. The prophet’s insolence only magnifies God’s grace (see 4:8-11  b for God’s response). 4:1  c This change of plans (literally It): See study note on 3:10.
4:2  d Jonah expresses his motive in originally fleeing from the Lord (1:3  e): He knew that the Lord would not destroy the wicked Ninevites if they repented.

• I knew: Jonah practically quotes Exod 34:6-7  f, a passage set in the context of Israel’s covenant relationship with the Lord. Even in the Old Testament, God was concerned to spread salvation to the nations (cp. Matt 28:18-20  g).
Summary for Jonah 4:3-5: 4:3-5  h Jonah’s desire to die rather than embrace God’s will (see also 4:8-9  i), and his willingness to wait in hope that the city would be destroyed (4:5  j), are signs of his hard-heartedness and his hatred for the Assyrians.
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