The great storm blew up because Jonah did not obey the word from the Lord to confront the citizens of Nineveh for their wickedness. When he was thrown overboard and swallowed by the great fish, he came to the realization that:
"Those who cling to worthless idols
forfeit the grace that could be theirs. - Jonah 2:8 NIV
What was the worthless idol that Jonah was clinging to? Was it pride? Was it jealousy of God... that God might forgive the wicked people of Nineveh in the same manner that Jonah had been forgiven? Was it selfishness that did not want to share the gospel with the inferior sinners of Nineveh? Was it the idol of superiority. Jonah said as much when the citizens of Nineveh, including the king, declared a fast , covered themselves in sackcloth and begged God for forgiveness.
He prayed to the LORD, "O LORD, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, O LORD, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live." - Jonah 4:2-3 NIV
Just like the vine that grew up to give Jonah shade, grace was not of his own making. It was God's alone to give.
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