In Jonah 4, the prophet Jonah becomes angry and displeased when God shows mercy to the people of Nineveh. Jonah had initially resisted God’s command to preach against the wickedness of the city, fearing that God would spare them. But to Jonah’s dismay, the people of Nineveh repented, and God relented from destroying the city.
Feeling bitter and resentful, Jonah prays to God, expressing his frustration and asking for death. God responds by causing a plant to grow and provide shade for Jonah, bringing him comfort. The next day, God sends a worm to destroy the plant, leaving Jonah exposed to the scorching sun and wind. Jonah again wishes for death.
God uses this opportunity to teach Jonah a lesson about compassion and mercy. He questions Jonah’s anger over the plant’s demise when Jonah himself had shown concern for its well-being. God highlights that He has great concern for the people of Nineveh, who do not know their right hand from their left, and even for the animals in the city.
The book of Jonah ends with God’s rhetorical question, challenging Jonah’s perspective on justice and mercy.