Jonah's gourd makes the thing itself memorable, which without the circumstance referring to him, would have formed nothing more important in the church than any other plant. The Hebrews called it Kikajon. The wild gourd is of another genus, and called Pekaah. It is said to be so bitter, that it is called "the gall of the earth." Some have thought, that Jonah's gourd is the same as the Palma Christi.
See Palm Tree.
I would only observe under this article of Jonah's gourd, how beautiful a lesson was the prophet taught (and, consequently, we ought to learn from it,) had he been wise to have improved it, how little to be valued are all earthly comforts, which even a poor worm of the earth may destroy. A night brings forth our worldly enjoyments; and a night is more than enough to destroy them. Oh! how blessed to live upon an unchangeable God in Christ, "the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever!"