The major take-away from the book of Jonah is that God is in control. God repeatedly shows Jonah that His plan will be done regardless of how cooperative he is. This is very clear in the last chapter when God says to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the vine?” to which Jonah replies, “I am right to be angry, even to death.” And finally, God, “You have been concerned for the vine, for which you have not labored, neither made it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night. Shouldn’t I be concerned for Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred twenty thousand persons who can’t discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much livestock?” (vv. 4.9-11 WEP).

The plant provided shade for Jonah so he was upset when it was gone even though he did not do anything to get the plant nor did he deserve it. God is comparing Himself to Jonah. God is saying that up to this point, He has not chose that Nineveh would grow, but it did naturally to a large number of people. God would be upset if He destroyed it since there is so much benefit to allowing it to remain in existence. Assyria played a large role in the exile. They were also used by God to reveal the wickedness in the hearts of Israel (Hosea).

The application is simply that where God did not predetermine the choices we make, He is here, working in the world in order to complete His plan. We can make our own choices, but if our choices are defiance against God, they will not hinder His plans in any way.

On a final note, I find it interesting that the book of Jonah never expressly states that Jonah did or did not repent in the end. He may have gone to death with bitterness against God or not. For purposes of application, it just doesn’t matter. I think the open endedness of the story is an encouragement to us to make the right decisions; to act in accordance with God’s plan, not against it.

Reflecting on Jonah