“God provided a vine…”

The story of Jonah is not about a “whale” but a “vine.” Most people have never actually read Jonah… it only takes about 10 minutes, give it a try.

In our nightly “devotions”, Robin and I have been reading Jonah, and this time it was like I read the story for the first time. Here is a short synopsis of the story:

• God calls a prophet to prophesy to Nineveh (a people that Jonah hates).
• The prophet says no (realizing that the people will repent, and he doesn’t want them to repent, he wants them to be punished by God).
• God makes him go anyway (the “big fish”), and when he preaches… sure enough, they repent.
• Jonah goes outside the city and waits for God to destroy Nineveh. While he is there, God grows a vine for him to give him shade.
• The next day, God destroys the vine and Jonah complains because he is uncomfortable.

Jonah says that he is so miserable that he wants to die. So God responds “You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people… should I not be concerned about that great city?” (4:10-11).

So, here is the point. As I was reading this, I realized that I spend a lot of time worried about my “vines” (the things that make me comfortable). And, I don’t care enough for the people around me. I guess I am a lot like Jonah. Sometimes I even need a big fish (problem) to make me willing to go God's direction.

What about you? Honestly, do you care that thousands of people around you are not in relationship with God? Are your “vines” more important? So, when God sends a worm to chew your vine, learn the lesson quick!!!

One final thought, Jonah said, "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs." So, the people who don't follow Jesus are clinging to worthless idols; they should let go and follow Christ. But, even more disturbing, many Christians are clinging to worthless vines...