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1
The Logic of the Gourd
Commentators explain that God uses the gourd to expose the flaw in Jonah's thinking. The argument is a powerful contrast: Jonah felt pity for a temporary plant he didn't create or labor for. How much more, then, should God—the Creator—feel pity for a massive city full of people who are the work of His hands? This divine logic is meant to show Jonah how disproportionate and selfish his anger is.
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Book Overview
Jonah
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Commentaries
6
Albert Barnes
On Jonah 4:10
18th Century
Theologian
You had pity on the gourd - In the feeling of our common mortality, the soul cannot but yearn over decay. Even a drooping flower is sad to l…
Charles Ellicott
On Jonah 4:10
19th Century
Bishop
Which came up. —The original is one of those forceful idioms impossible to reproduce: which son of a night was, and son of a n…
Charles Spurgeon
On Jonah 4:10–11
19th Century
Preacher
Then the LORD said, You have had pity on the gourd, for which you have not labored, nor made it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in…
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John Calvin
On Jonah 4:10–11
16th Century
Theologian
Here God explains the design he had in suddenly raising up the gourd, and then in causing it to perish or wither through the gnawing of a worm; it …
John Gill
On Jonah 4:10
17th Century
Pastor
Then said the Lord, you have had pity on the gourd
Or, "have spared it" F3; that is, would have spared it…
Matthew Henry
On Jonah 4:5–11
17th Century
Minister
Jonah went out of the city, yet remained nearby, as if he expected and desired its overthrow. Those who have fretful, uneasy spirits often create t…