Jonah's Plant and my battle with comfort
Last night I went to a great college worship service at the University of Oregon. Campus is beautiful by the way. The guy speaking was teaching through the book of Jonah and last night covered teh last chapter. I have always loved this story in the Bible, but for the most part have focused on the whole fish episode. Last night it was all about Jonah's plant. Jonah is pouting at the edge of the city and God causes a plant to grow up that provides shade and protection for Jonah. While Jonah is sleeping God does away with the plant. At this Jonah is irrate and for the thrid time in the chaper ask God just to kill him. He can't believe God would take away the one thing that was comforting him. It was his shade and protection and God had to go and ruin it. It was a total crime against humanity. But then God questions. See Jonah had just got finished being mad because God showed mercy to a city of people who Jonah did not lik...