Jonah 4:1-7
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.
4:4 k The Lord’s reply is a rhetorical question. The implied answer is “No, of course not!” The object lesson that follows (4:6-11 l) reveals why Jonah ought not to be angry.
4:6 m The Lord is God’s covenant name in relation to Israel (see, e.g., Ps 72:18 n). God did these things to show his covenant love toward Jonah and to those in Israel who had the same attitude.
• arranged for: see study note on Jon 1:17.
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