“Therefore now,
O Yahweh!
Please take my life
From me!
It is better for me
To die
Than to live!”
Jonah was a little down on himself. He knew that he had originally refused this mission. Then he had done it, only to find out that Yahweh had changed his mind about destroying Nineveh. Now he just wanted to die, since he had no desire to live. This is a strong suicidal plea.
“But this was
Very displeasing
To Jonah.
He became angry.”
Not only did Jonah refuse to take on this mission originally, now he was mad that God had not followed through on his original proclamation. He looked like a fool, since he went around screaming about the 40 days until Nineveh would be destroyed. Now, there was to be no destruction. Jonah was not a happy man. He was angry.
“They will be called
Oaks of righteousness.
They will be called
The planting of Yahweh,
To display his glory.
They shall build up the ancient ruins.
They shall raise up the former devastations.
They shall repair the ruined cities.
They shall repair the devastations
Of many generations.”
The goal of this mission was to rebuild Israel. Yahweh would plant trees of righteousness and justice to display his glory. They were to rebuild these ancient ruins. They would repair the many ruined cities. They would repair the former devastations that had been there for many generations.
“Woe to those
Who go down to Egypt
For help!
They rely on horses!
They trust in chariots
Because they are many!
They trust in horsemen
Because they are very strong!
But they do not look
To the Holy One of Israel!
They do not consult Yahweh!”
Isaiah has another strong warning about going to Egypt to get help. Those who go to Egypt will be cursed. They want help from horses, chariots, and cavalry horsemen because there are many strong ones in Egypt. However, they did not look to the Holy One of Israel. They did not consult with Yahweh before they set out on this mission. Besides many of this help would have been useless on the Israelite terrain.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 