A Vine Mess!
Jonah is likely the most successful evangelist in recorded history.
Have the ancient sands and swirling dust ever caressed the feet of such an anointed speaker?
Yet his heart of power was still a heart of pollution.
But Jonah was greatly displeased (at Nineveh's salvation) and became angry. (Jonah 4:1)
Jonah was happy to have been rescued, but not to rescue!
Where was the integrity to his repentance in Chapter Two?
In burning anger Jonah confronts God! But, in a stern, and sober reply God deflects Jonah's venom!
But the Lord replied, "have you any right to be angry to be angry?" (Jonah 4:4)
In the heat of sun God blesses Jonah with a vine for shade. The next day it dies. Jonah is much more moved by a dead vine than a city converted and saved.
Jonah still values the fleeting, as his eyes again wander to the worthless things.
Really his own comfort is all that matters to him.
Jonah has far more compassion for a plant than people.
He is joyful at his rescue but angry at the rescue of Nineveh. Jonah is still a God resister.
Jonah's selfishness is betrayed in the things that stir him, Jonah's heart gives him away - so too ME!