Definition: And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, [even] unto death.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jonah 4:9. It's a really interesting and surprisingly powerful passage about forgiveness and repentance. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: Jonah is God’s way of telling Jonah to stop being angry at a small gourd (a plant) that he told the people to destroy. Jonah was instructed to cast the gourd into the sea, but he refused to do so. What it Says – A Breakdown: “And God said to Jonah…” : This sets the scene - God is speaking to Jonah and setting up a situation for him to reflect on something. “…Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd?” : This is the core of the verse. God isn’t asking if Jonah should be angry; he's challenging him to feel anger. It’s about acknowledging that his reaction – anger – is a problem. “And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death.” : This is the key part. Jonah acknowledges that he should feel angry. He admits to being consumed by this anger. The phrase “even unto death” emphasizes the intensity of his emotion – it suggests a very strong, almost overwhelming rage. What It Means - A Message About Forgiveness & Repentance: This verse is about God’s perspective on Jonah's actions. He’s not saying Jonah is wrong for being angry. Instead, he’s saying that Jonah’s anger is a sign of his refusal to turn to God and repent of his disobedience. Here's the key takeaway: God sees our anger as a problem. It suggests we’re not truly listening or respecting God’s word. God desires forgiveness. The verse implies that God wants Jonah to understand that his anger is a result of not seeking forgiveness and returning to him. Repentance is key. Jonah’s anger shows he hasn't repented for his disobedience, and God wants to help him find peace and return to following his instructions. In short, it’s a call to repentance – to stop being angry and turn back to God with a sincere apology and desire to change your ways. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the story? Discuss the symbolism behind the gourd? Give you some thoughts on why this verse is significant?