The book of Jonah ends with a shocking twist: Jonah is angry not at sin, but at mercy. After Nineveh repents, Jonah retreats to the east of the city – symbolic of exile – still hoping God will destroy it. God then teaches him through an acted parable, preparing a plant to give shade, then a worm to destroy it. Jonah grieves the loss of mercy shown to him, yet rages at mercy shown to Nineveh. Like the elder brother in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the story ends on a cliffhanger: will Jonah rejoice and enter, or remain outside, hardened in exile?
