A Plant or a Worm?

Jonah 4:5–11 NKJV

5 So Jonah went out of the city and sat on the east side of the city. There he made himself a shelter and sat under it in the shade, till he might see what would become of the city. 6 And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant. 7 But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered. 8 And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.” 9 Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” And he said, “It is right for me to be angry, even to death!” 10 But the Lord said, “You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. 11 And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left—and much livestock?

Introduction:

I. God prepared a plant to protect Jonah, and he was grateful.

So God brings up this fast growing plant to provide shade over Jonah who’s pouting and hoping that God will change His mind and wipe out Nineveh.

Jonah is sitting there waiting for the reenactment of Sodom & Gomorah.

He’s really no better than a Roman spectator in the Colosseum eating his popcorn and waiting for the wild beasts to devour the Christians.

But, here’s the clincher:

God has mercy on him!

Again, as I said last week, this is mind boggling to us, because God is not like us and His ways and thoughts are above us!

I cannot always reconcile in my own sinful thoughts how God blesses people who are so wicked.

But He does!

And although with my sinful dispositions at times, I may not understand it, I certainly do greatly appreciate it!

It is truly amazing that no matter how bad our attitude, or how far away we are from God, we are grateful for the plants in our lives.

It is truly amazing that no matter how bad our attitude, or how far away we are from God, we are grateful for the plants in our lives.

It is truly amazing that no matter how bad our attitude, or how far away we are from God, we are grateful for the plants in our lives.

the plants that provide shelter, or peace, or healing, etc.

And yet the best news of all, is that God provides mercy to all through Jesus Christ!

No matter how unloving one may be!

No matter how sinful, or blasphemous, or crude, or evil, Jesus will provide heavenly shade to all who come to Him in faith!

II. God prepared a worm to kill the plant, and Jonah was angry.

It seems like God can’t make up His mind!

Why would He make the plant and then kill it?

This is an object lesson for Jonah!

In fact, this was all part of God’s great plan to teach a valuable lesson, not only for Jonah, but all God’s people, in every generation!

I’d like you to notice that God uses the word prepare three times in our passage:

Jonah 4:6–8 NKJV

6 And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant. 7 But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered. 8 And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.”

Jonah 4:6 NKJV

6 And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant.

Jonah 4:

Vs.6,7,8 “And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant. 7 But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered. 8 And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.”

But, there’s one other time in this book that God prepares something. Do you know what it is?

Yes, a great fish in chapter 1:17

You see, God prepares different things for different circumstances, for different reasons, for different people.

He is completely sovereign in His plans and in our lives!

Everything in our text demonstrates the precision God uses to bring us to the place of seeing ourselves in His light.

And so, there is irony here!

But, Jonah can’t see this!

I believe Jonah to be a picture of the religious person who is void of mercy.

There are many who have principals & morals, and act justly, but are void of mercy!

They have a form of godliness but deny its power () we are further instructed to turn away from such people.

2 Timothy 3:5 NKJV

5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

And there are many out there like this. Don’t be one of them!

But now I want you to see the irony of this passage.

Now this is just wonderful and full of irony.

Jonah is angry that the plant has been destroyed by this good for nothing worm!

But, what is the plant? An illustration of the mercy of God.

So this worm, destroys God’s mercy!

We need to beware of the worms!

I do my part every summer when the squash plants are growing in the garden.

If you’re really observant, and you inspect them daily, you can see the signs of the squash borer. He’s a little maggot like worm that has gotten into the stem of the squash leaves near the base of the plant and is eating the plant from the inside out. If you want to save the plant, you gently cut him out of the stem with a pocket knife, and pack some dirt into the wound. If you don’t, the plant soon withers and dies.

But, now you see, as the plant is an illustration of the mercy of God, so the worm is an illustration of Jonah!

The plant represents God’s mercy.

The worm represents Jonah.

Let me ask you a question:

Which are you, the plant or the worm?

There is only one way to demonstrate the mercy of God and avoid remaining as Jonah - You need to be Born Again!

I think there are many Jonahs in churches today. People who have never been born again!

They are pretenders.

Wolves in sheep’s clothing.

They need to be saved, regenerated, and conformed to the likeness of the Son.