Overview
In Jonah 4, after Jonah's preaching led Nineveh to repent, he became angry that God showed mercy to the city. God caused a gourd to grow up overnight to shade Jonah from the heat, but then sent a worm to destroy it. This object lesson demonstrated God's care for His creation and rebuked Jonah's selfish anger.
Key Scriptures
"The Lord God appointed a plant and made it come up over Jonah to be a shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort. So Jonah was exceedingly glad because of the plant" (Jonah 4:6, ESV).
"But when dawn arose the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant, so that it withered" (Jonah 4:7, ESV).
"When the sun arose, God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he grew faint" (Jonah 4:8, ESV).
Application
The gourd reminds us that God's sovereign care extends to all His creation and should humble us to embrace His mercy toward others rather than judge them.