Luke, Chapter 11, verses 1-4
1 Christ teacheth to pray, and that instantly11
11:1 Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples - The Jewish masters used to give their followers some short formof prayer, as a peculiar badge of their relation to them. This it is probable John the Baptist had done. And in this sense it seems to be that the disciples now asked Jesus, to teach them to pray. Accordingly he here repeats that form, which he had before given them in his sermon on the mount, and likewise enlarges on the same head, though still speaking the same things in substance.And this prayer uttered from the heart, and in its true and full meaning, is indeed the badge of a real Christian: for is not he such whose first and most ardent desire is the glory of God, and the happiness of man by the coming of his kingdom? Who asks for no more of this world than his daily bread, longing meantime for the bread that came down from heaven? And whose only desires for himself are forgiveness of sins, (as he heartily forgives others,) and sanctification.
11:2 When ye pray, say - And what he said to them is undoubtedly said to us also. We are therefore here directed, not only to imitate this in all our prayers, but to use this very form of prayer. Mat 6:9.
11:4 Forgive us; for we forgive them - Not once, but continually.This does not denote the meritorious cause of our pardon; but the removal of that hinderance which otherwise would render it impossible.
4 Jonah repines at God's mercy, Jon 4:1-3.
Is reproved, Jon 4:4.
His discontent at the withering of the gourd, Jon 4:5-9.
God improves it for his conviction, Jon 4:10-11.
4:1 It - The divine forbearance sparing Nineveh.
4:2 Was not this - Did I not think of this? That thy pardon would contradict my preaching.
4:3 Than to live - Disgraced and upbraided by hardened sinners, who will brand me for a liar.
4:5 A booth - Some small and mean shed, probably of green boughs. 'Till he might see - It seems the forty days were not fully expired.
4:6 Prepared - Commanded that in the place where Jonah's booth stood, this spreading plant should spring up to be a shade when the gathered boughs were withered. To deliver - To give some ease to his mind.
4:7 Prepared - By the same power which caused the gourd suddenly to spring, and spread itself. It smote - Which early next morning, bit the root, so that the whole gourd withered.
4:8 A east wind - A dry, scorching, blasting wind.Fainted - Overcome by the heat. Better to die - But Jonah must be wiser, and humbler, and more merciful too, e'er he die.Before God hath done with him, he will teach him to value his own life more, and to be more tender of the life of others.
4:9 I do well to be angry - If in the violence of this passion I should die (as some have) yet were I not to blame. What a speech!Verily the law made nothing perfect!
4:10 Laboured - Thou didst not set it.Grow - Nor didst thou water or give growth to it.
4:11 I - The God of infinite compassions and goodness.That great city - Wouldest thou have me less merciful to such a goodly city, than thou art to a weed? Who cannot discern - Here are more than six - score innocents who are infants. Much cattle - Beside men, women and children who are in Nineveh, there are many other of my creatures that are not sinful, and my tender mercies are and shall be over all my works.If thou wouldest be their butcher, yet I will be their God.Go Jonah, rest thyself content and be thankful: that goodness, which spared Nineveh, hath spared thee in this thy inexcusable frowardness.I will be to repenting Nineveh what I am to thee, a God gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and I will turn from the evil which thou and they deserve.