The answer is: He was angry

Jonah 4:1 - Jonah felt that they should still be destroyed. He thought he knew how to govern better than God.

Jonah’s furious fit after the people of Nineveh repented is like a plot twist in a drama where the hero turns into the antagonist. Picture this: the prophet, who is often seen as the mouthpiece for divine will, takes a wild detour into bitterness and outrage when God shows mercy. It’s almost ironic; his mission was to get them to change their ways, and when they actually do, he’s not celebrating but sulking instead (Jonah 4:1-3).

Here’s a jaw-dropper: Jonah’s name actually means "dove," but he certainly wasn’t cooing softly in this story! Instead, he exemplifies the struggle of understanding grace and mercy. Many figures in the Bible, from Moses to the elder brother in the Prodigal Son parable, wrestle with God’s mercy, showing we're not the only ones caught in the web of wanting fairness over grace.

Interestingly, Jonah’s story shatters the idea that repentance and forgiveness are just for the chosen few; it's an invitation to broader humanity. Nineveh, known for its wickedness, received compassion, reminding us that there's always more hope than might first meet the eye—even if we throw a tantrum over it!

Jonah’s story invites an exploration of our personal reactions to mercy—do we jeer or cheer? Remember, biblical narratives are riches filled with human emotion and divine possibility, urging us to embrace understanding and love, even when it's hard.