This question fascinates me because of Who asks it. The answer is equally fascinating for the same reason:“Yes, I do well to be angry, angry enough to die.” Talk about attitude! If one is unfamiliar with this dialogue, one might be tempted to think that the plant-angry individual is a woman. After all, women can become upset and self-absorbed about the most seemingly ridiculous things. "This is my plant. I love this plant. I will make this plant the center of my affections and efforts. The condition of this plant will determine my attitude, mood and outlook on life." By now you may have guessed that this was not the response of a woman, but of Jonah, the prophet of God who had already spent time in the stomach of a great fish or whale for his attitude problem. Hence, you may also know that the One asking the question is God Almighty Himself. He is the one that made the plant and the one who had it destroyed. He is also the one who put Jonah in the creature's stomach because Jonah was running from God. Jonah did not want to deliver a message of warning to the people of Nineveh to repent because he knew that God was compassionate and would forgive them if they did so.
Now the Lord God appointed a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort. So Jonah was exceedingly glad because of the plant. But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant, so that it withered. When the sun rose, God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint. And he asked that he might die and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.” Jonah 4:6-8. Jonah's response was not that of Job, "The LORD gives and the LORD takes away. Blessed be the name of the LORD." Jonah was a prophet chosen by God who knew that one of God's many attributes is goodness. Everything God does is good. It is good because it serves His purposes. God's definition of good and mine and Jonah's can be very different. But I have learned that if I choose to stop and focus on God and His goodness and compassion for me, I can believe and trust His goodness. His goodness is not defined by my circumstances, His goodness is evidenced in the changes He is forging in me as He breaks me and shapes me into the woman He wants me to be: a woman satisfied in Him.
I do not have a plant. I have a '98 Cadillac De Ville with 150,000 miles on it. As I read over this passage of scripture, this was one of the many "plants" that popped into my head. "LORD, yes you have saved me. You have brought me to life through the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus, but I cannot be happy or content unless this car You gave me is in good running order." Here comes the moment of truth: "Amber, do you do well to be angry for the car?" I'm sorry to say that I have been every bit as self absorbed as Jonah, but as I am learning that the Armour of God must be put on and kept on and must fit snugly with no room for tiny arrows to needle their way in, I am learning to say and to mean "The LORD gives and the LORD takes away. Blessed be the name of the LORD." I am learning. Many times this learning comes first through complaining and feeling sorry for myself, but the turn around time is gaining! I am quickly convicted, praise God! He is shaping me. He is not going to allow me to sit by my car and wallow in my imagined discomfort. He is changing me. My hope is that one day, even on this side of Glory, that my response to disappointment and discomfort will be, "Blessed be Your name LORD. You are good and do good. You love me and You are sanctifying me. Thank You." I do not always arrive at this joyous place quickly, but it is ever increasing, and in that, I rejoice.
Finally, I mention that the word for discomfort used in verse 6 may also be translated evil. This makes this passage even more brilliant for me!! God sent this plant to save Jonah from his own evil. He is compassionate. He is good. He will do what He deems best to sanctify His children. By His grace, my salvation, after all, is my chief desire. Thankfully, He always remains faithful to this desire even when I get distracted by cars, small budgets, perfect health and time for myself. He is never distracted. He Who has begun this good work in me, will be faithful to complete it. Thank You God.
Amber
