Jonah - Chapter-4

Chapter Summary

Jonah's displeasure over God's action toward Nineveh. The sheltering gourd.

1. What was Jonah's reaction to the rescue of Nineveh from disaster? What does Jonah wish would have happened to Nineveh? Why is he watching the city?
2. Why is Jonah's attitude to Nineveh different to God's? Do we have that attitude towards certain countries or ethnicities? If so how might God be speaking to us about that?
3. What qualities of God is Jonah convinced about? How has Jonah himself experienced God in this way in his life?
4. How does Jonah's anger manifest in this episode in his life? What is right and wrong about anger and how can we deal with inappropriate anger?
5. How would you describe the conversation between God and Jonah in this episode? What can we learn about conversation with God and dealing with emotions from this chapter?
6. What other emotions might Jonah be feeling after Nineveh's repentance? Have there been times when you have felt this way? How can we deal with negative emotions?
7. What lesson does God teach Jonah through what happens to the plant that shelters him?
8. Why would God be concerned for the cattle in Nineveh? Why are they included in the rituals of repentance in Ch 3?
9. How does what happened in this book compare with the events recorded in the prophecy f Nahum? What can we learn from these different events?
10. What can we learn from the way God deals with Jonah in this book? Are there times when we could use this approach with people who disagree with us in the church?

Displeased, v. 1.

God, Jonah.

4,v 2 (b).