Jonah 4:7

But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.

But God {H430} prepared {H4487} a worm {H8438} when the morning {H7837} rose {H5927} the next day {H4283}, and it smote {H5221} the gourd {H7021} that it withered {H3001}.

But at dawn the next day God prepared a worm, which attacked the castor-bean plant, so that it dried up.

When dawn came the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant so that it withered.

But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd, that it withered.

Jonah 4:7 describes a pivotal moment in God's object lesson to the prophet Jonah, highlighting God's active involvement in the natural world to teach spiritual truths. Following the miraculous provision of a gourd plant that brought Jonah much comfort and shade, God swiftly orchestrates its demise.

Context

This verse directly follows God's provision of the miraculous gourd, which delighted Jonah and shielded him from the sun. Jonah had become deeply displeased and angry that God had shown mercy to Nineveh, contrary to his expectation that the city would be destroyed (see Jonah 4:1). He had made a booth outside the city, hoping to witness Nineveh's destruction. The gourd was a source of personal comfort for Jonah, a stark contrast to his lack of compassion for the 120,000 people in Nineveh. God's act of preparing the worm and causing the gourd to wither sets the stage for a direct confrontation between God and Jonah regarding the nature of divine mercy and human empathy, culminating in the dialogue of Jonah 4:8-11.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Control: The phrase "But God prepared a worm" strongly emphasizes God's absolute control over all creation, even the smallest creatures. This echoes the earlier instances where God "prepared" a great fish (Jonah 1:17) and the gourd itself (Jonah 4:6). It illustrates that nothing happens outside of His divine plan and purpose.
  • Temporary Nature of Earthly Comforts: The rapid appearance and disappearance of the gourd serve as a powerful metaphor for the fleeting nature of material possessions and earthly comforts. What brings immediate relief can quickly vanish, reminding us not to place ultimate trust in transient things.
  • God's Pedagogical Methods: God intentionally uses circumstances—both pleasant (the gourd) and painful (the worm, the scorching wind)—to teach Jonah about His character and to challenge Jonah's narrow, self-centered perspective. This demonstrates God's persistent love and desire to shape His servants.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verb used for "prepared" (מָנָה - manah) signifies to appoint, ordain, or number. Its repeated use throughout Chapter 4 (for the gourd, the worm, and the east wind) highlights God's deliberate and purposeful orchestration of events. It underscores that these occurrences are not random but part of a divine curriculum designed for Jonah's spiritual growth and understanding of God's expansive mercy.

Practical Application

Jonah 4:7 serves as a powerful reminder that God is actively involved in our lives, sometimes bringing discomfort or removing sources of our earthly pleasure to draw our attention to deeper spiritual truths. It encourages us to examine our own priorities: Do we lament the loss of personal comforts more than we grieve over the spiritual lostness of others? This verse challenges us to align our hearts with God's compassion and to trust in His sovereign hand, even when His methods are uncomfortable, knowing that His ultimate goal is our good and the glory of His name.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Joel 1:12

    The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, [even] all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men.

  • Job 1:21

    And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

  • Psalms 102:10

    Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.

  • Isaiah 40:6

    The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh [is] grass, and all the goodliness thereof [is] as the flower of the field:

  • Isaiah 40:8

    The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

  • Psalms 30:6

    ¶ And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.

  • Psalms 30:7

    LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, [and] I was troubled.

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