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 story is quite a rollercoaster ride filled with dramatic twists, emotions, and some valuable life lessons. Imagine being in Jonah's sandals—he just spent three days and nights in the belly of a giant fish, only to come to Nineveh, deliver a straightforward warning, and witness the entire city turn toward a softer path. Instead of feeling triumphant or joyful, Jonah is angry! It’s a testimony to how deeply he struggled with his expectations of justice versus the boundless grace displayed by a forgiving God.

Let's have fun with the contrasts in Jonah's tale. While he yearned to see Nineveh face destruction, the people in that very city responded with repentant hearts. Isn’t it intriguing how the non-Israelites—whom Jonah regarded as enemies—outperformed him in recognizing moral goodness? This dichotomy between the prophet and the citizens is fascinating. Their transition from wickedness to repentance is quite a Biblical echo. We recall the change of heart seen in other characters—like the tax collector Matthew, who closed a foliage of betrayal only to open a doorway of transformative purpose.

Rather than direct confrontation, Jonah's dramatic retreat afterward teaches us something too: stubbornness can blind us to the greater mercies at play. Reflecting on Jonah urges us all to stay open-hearted and to remember that compassion stretches, sometimes far beyond our understanding. Each encounter, much like each person, holds the potential for a fresh canvas painted with change and healing!