The answer is: East

Jonah 4:8 - In addition to the hot sun this was virtually intolerable and Jonah felt faint.

Ah, the Book of Jonah! It’s not just a story about a big fish; it’s packed with deeper symbolism and lessons that resonate even today. Now, that east wind? It mirrors some real biblical associations. Often in the Scriptures, the east winds are linked to stories of devastation—a symbol of God’s powerful presence, reminding us of that monumental namesake, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

As Jonah sulked under his shade plant, that relentless east wind pushed him to confront his own inner struggles—a nice olive branch, or should we say a gourd slip? This isn’t just a discomfort for Jonah; it's a slap of reality! We practically hear God asking Jonah, "Are you okay with relaxing in My mercy towards others while loathing their very existence?"

It’s fascinating, too, to look at Jonah’s journey. He first flees toward Tarshish, a metaphorical westward hustle away from his responsibilities. But just as days have the dawn, God pulls Jonah back into the meh and madden mindscape of mercy.

The trivia gets richer! Each chapter in Jonah presents a new layer in the epic of God's mercy versus our perceptions—perfect fodder for discussions on growth, empathy, and of washing away the grudges we sometimes cling to like Jonah tried to cling to his gourd. So, next time you sit under a tree, remember Jonah's plight and the lessons on human nature burned into the scorching east winds!