Jonah

It is a good story. The one I've been told since I was a child is about Jonah being told to go to Nineveh, about his reluctance, about his running from God, and about his being threatened by the storm, swallowed by the fish, and coughed up on dry land to preach the good news (or the bad news, depending upon one's perspective).

What I wasn't taught was Jonah chapter 4. Jonah, the whiny, self-righteous, possibly racist, reluctant prophet, complains to God that he is too merciful.

Very loose paraphrase:

Jonah: Oh man. I knew this would happen.
God: What?
Jonah: This, "God is slow to anger and abounding in love" thing. That's why I didn't want to come here in the first place. I knew I'd preach and they'd repent, and you'd forgive them?
God: So, why is that any of your business?
Jonah: I just want to die.
(Jonah goes off and pouts. God makes a plant grow, shades him, then kills the plant and lets him sweat).
Jonah: Now, I really want to die.
God: What did you have to do with the plant?
Jonah: Nothing, what's your point.
God: Reframe, Jonah. Quit being a pain in the...

We didn't get that story as kids. Were we not ready? Is it to difficult for a prophet to be a selfish jerk?

The writer ends the story without telling us whether Jonah made a change for the better. I asked my Wednesday night class to help me come up with endings for the book and for a reason why we didn't have a conclusive ending.

We decided that in the end we all have to make the choice that Jonah did at this point. Do we curse God and continue to think counter to his will, or do we give in and become followers.

As for suggested endings. Here are two:

Jonah repented of his selfishness and returned to the city to guide the people in the ways of God.

or

Once again Jonah said, "I wish I could die."
God replied, "That can be arranged," and immediately the ground broke apart and Jonah was once again swallowed up. This time, it was by the earth, and when the mouth of the chasm closed again, the people of Nineveh witnessed the truth that though the Lord is slow to anger and abounding in love, he does not abide self-righteousness and willful disobedience.

But maybe it is best left unfinished, because we still have the story of ourselves to write.