Bible Truths for Today
I Want My Gourd
Jonah 4:10, 11
I Want My Gourd
Jonah 4:10, 11
“Then said the LORD, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not labored, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night: And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more then sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle? Jonah 4:10-11 KJV
Jonah was pouting at the edge of the enemy city of Nineveh. He had, unwillingly, preached a message of judgment and repentance to the city of Nineveh, and they had repented. God spared the city from destruction. Jonah preferred that God would annihilate Nineveh.
While he sulked, God prepared a gourd that gave shade to Jonah in the intense heat. Jonah enjoyed it. God then prepared a worm to destroy the gourd. After the gourd’s destruction, God prepared a vehement east wind. Jonah became so hot and miserable that he wanted to die.
Jonah felt he had justified anger over the wilted gourd. He was more concerned about his comfort than the 120,000 children and adults God would have destroyed if they had not repented.
Jonah’s priorities were skewed!
Like so many Christians today. Jonah was more concerned about his comfort and physical well-being than lost souls. Today Christians are suffering, imprisoned, tortured, and martyred for the sake of the Lord. But we are only concerned about our comforts and our toys. As souls are perishing, we are content to give a little pittance for missions and are reluctant to give our sons and daughters for missions.
If ever there was a time to get our priorities right, it is now. Jesus said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God.”