Chapter 4: <br /> <br />What God had done, displeased Jonah; <br />In angry mood, he prayed, <br />‘I knew You’ll show clemency, Lord, <br />That’s why at first, I fled! ’ <br /> <br />‘You’re a gracious, merciful God, <br />You’re slow to punish men; <br />And this is what I had said then; <br />You’re slow to anger, Lord! ’ <br /> <br />‘Lord, take away my life from me, <br />’Tis better, I be dead! ’ <br />God asked him, ‘Is your anger just? ’ <br />Jonah had not replied. <br /> <br />He left the city to its east, <br />And built him small a hut; <br />And in its shade, waited to see, <br />What happened to men, beast! <br /> <br />God made a gourd plant grow over, <br />To give him more of shade; <br />Jonah was happy with cover, <br />His discomfort did fade! <br /> <br />Next day, God sent a worm to kill <br />The plant which withered fast; <br />The scorching sun then made him ill, <br />To faint, he turned almost. <br /> <br />The sun made Jonah angry more, <br />‘Better I die, ’ he said; <br />When God asked him, he thus replied, <br />‘The plant’s death made me sore! ’ <br /> <br />And then the Lord explained Jonah, <br />‘You feel for gourd, not own. <br />You neither sowed the seed, nor raised, <br />The plant that lived one night! ’ <br /> <br />‘Concerned are you, about a plant <br />For which you labored not; <br />And when it perished over-night, <br />You’re angry enough to die! ’ <br /> <br />‘Oh, should I not show concern for <br />Great Nineveh city? <br />One twenty thousand men live there, <br />And beasts- what a pity? ’ <br /> <br />Copyright by Dr John Celes 4-25-2007<br /><br />Dr John Celes<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/bible-stories-jonah-part-iv/
