15.
Jonah went outside the gates of the city and found himself a place where he could sit and observe the city. Why would such action be necessary if he did not continue to expect judgment to come upon the city. The east to the Hebrews and to Jonah was the forefront, the rising of the sun or the forepart, the face of the city. The entrance to the garden of Eden was toward the east. It was there that the Cherubim and the flaming sword were placed to keep mankind from returning to the garden. The only way whereby we can return to that Paradise is through the Triune God. The Father and the Spirit, who are typified by the Cherubim and the flaming sword, the Lord Jesus. Gen. 3:24 The tabernacle and the temple were built facing the east or sun rising. The wise men came from the east. They followed His star and not another. The Lord Jesus will return from the east. Mt. 24:27 The east in the scripture is special and of great importance.
Jonah built himself a booth, a shelter, made of the limbs of trees. Jonah 4:5 The imagination is piqued by his building of the booth. It could well have been a common practice of those who were in a journey away from home and needed a temporary shelter. Or, was it the time of the year during which they kept the feast of tabernacles? During this feast they were to live outside of their homes, in booths, commemorating their deliverance from Egypt. Lev. 23:43 The feast of tabernacles was the third major feast of Israel in the year. It was the time of harvest and is a type of the last day revival and the harvest of the earth. Rev. 14:15.
It could well have been that Jonah spent forty days, in the booth, waiting for the prophecy which he had delivered to come to pass. The people of Nineveh had corrected their status with the Lord by repenting, and forsaking their wickedness. Now, it is Jonah who is out of step with the Lord. Forty days is an intriguing subject in the scriptures. Moses, twice was up on mount Sinai receiving the Law. Ex. 24:18 Deut. 9:18 The spies spent forty days spying out the land. Num. 13:25 Elijah was forty days on mount Horeb. 1 Kings 19:8 Jesus fasted forty days and forty nights prior to His temptation. Mt. 4:2 Then He was seen, after His resurrection for forty days. Acts 1:3 Looking at the experiences of these men we see a number speaking to us, not only of testing and trial but glorious mountain top encounters which reveal the glory and power of the Lord. The ministry of the Lord Jesus opened with a period of temptation, over which He was triumphant. His earthly presence concluded with a resurrection and manifestation of the glorious power and majesty of the Lord. The Lord has a great work that He will accomplish in this generation. The world is destined for a massive body of people repenting and turning to the Lord, just as they did in the days of Jonah.