Today's reading is the odd conclusion to the saga of Jonah. After the overwhelming response to his brief prophecy by the people of Ninevah, Jonah was hugely disappointed that God did not destroy the city. In fact, Jonah spoke to God and rationalized his earlier fleeing from God by saying "he knew it all along" that God would forgive instead of punish.Then, Jonah climbed a hill overlooking Ninevah, still hoping that God would destroy the city. Instead, God tried to teach Jonah a lesson. God allowed a plant to grow to shade the prophet, and then God allowed the plant to be infected by a worm and die. Jonah, full of self-pity, asked to die. God points out Jonah's nearsightedness about the bush and asks why a city of 120,000 people shouldn't attract God's care, concern, and protection.
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Reading the Bible in Its Entirety
If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Jonah 4 today.
