However, at the very end of his prayer he said that those who cling to idols forfeit God’s love (Jonah 2:8). Jonah had seen some of his need for grace, but there was still some pride left. Pagans have idols—but not him! Yes, of course he needed mercy, but surely he wasn’t on the same level as these people. Surely he still had some spiritual merit—he still had some claims on God.
