Isn’t it just like the Lord to provide comfort for His people, even when His people are angry and anxious for God’s judgment — on others? Jonah has settled into his shelter, enjoying its shade, waiting for God’s wrath to fall on Nineveh.
We read: “Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort”! (v. 6).
God provides an additional level of comfort for Jonah beyond his self-made shelter. God cares about His servant’s discomfort. How ironic that the Lord would do such a thing for rebellious, unforgiving Jonah.
Then we read, “and Jonah was very happy about the plant” (v. 6). An interesting study of this book would be the emotional life of Jonah. What made him angry? What brought him happiness?
But there he is. In his double-shade, half provided by his own hands; the other half providentially provided by God the farmer. But Jonah’s comfort, as he will see, is far from being a permanent condition. (to be continued)
Dr. Larry Dixon
larrydixon.wordpress.com 