Matthew Henry Commentary Jonah 4:1-4

"But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. And he prayed unto Jehovah, and said, I pray thee, O Jehovah, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I hasted to flee unto Tarshish; for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness, and repentest thee of the evil. Therefore now, O Jehovah, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live. And Jehovah said, Doest thou well to be angry?" — Jonah 4:1-4 (ASV)

What all the saints rejoice in and praise, Jonah makes a subject of complaint against God; as if showing mercy were an imperfection of the divine nature, which is its greatest glory. We all owe it to His sparing, pardoning mercy that we are not in hell. He wishes for death: this was the language of foolishness, passion, and strong corruption.

Jonah showed remnants of a proud, uncharitable spirit. He neither expected nor desired the well-being of the Ninevites but had come only to declare and witness their destruction. He was not properly humbled for his own sins and was unwilling to entrust his reputation and safety to the Lord. In this state of mind, he overlooked the good he had been an instrument in achieving and the glory of divine mercy.

We should often ask ourselves: Is it right to speak this way, to act this way? Can I justify it? Is it right for me to be so quickly angered, so often angry, so persistently angry, and to speak harsh words to others in my anger? Is it right for me to be angry at God's mercy towards repenting sinners?

That was Jonah's crime. Is it right for us to be angry at what brings glory to God and advances His kingdom? Let the conversion of sinners, which is the joy of heaven, be our joy, and never our sorrow.