Jonah

Jonah was written by the prophet Jonah to the people of Israel around 760 BC during the reign of King Jeroboam II. Jonah is called by God to go to the Assyrian city of Nineveh and preach against its wickedness. Jonah flees in the opposite direction, boarding a ship to Tarshish. After a violent storm threatens the ship, Jonah is thrown overboard and swallowed by a great fish, where he spends three days and nights. Jonah repents, and God commands the fish to release him. Jonah goes to Nineveh, where his message leads the entire city to repentance. Though Jonah is angry that God spares Nineveh, God teaches him a lesson about compassion and mercy. Jonah's story brings us the encouraging message that no one is beyond God's grace.

Jonah Flees From The LORD - Chapter 1

God tells Jonah to go to Nineveh and warn the city of its impending judgment due to its wickedness. Jonah attempts to flee from the LORD by boarding a ship bound for Tarshish. God sends a powerful storm that threatens to destroy the ship. The sailors, realizing that Jonah is the cause of the storm, questions him and eventually, at Jonah's own suggestion, throws him overboard. The sea immediately calms, and the sailors, awed by God's power, offer sacrifices and vows to Him.

Jonah's Prayer - Chapter 2

God sends a huge fish to swallow Jonah for three days and nights. During this time, he prays to God, expressing his distress and acknowledging God's deliverance. He describes the waters engulfing him and seaweed wrapping around his head but recognizes that God brought his life up from the pit. Jonah acknowledges the futility of idols and vows to offer sacrifices to God, proclaiming, "Salvation comes from the LORD." After his prayer, God commands the fish to release Jonah, and he is vomited onto dry land.

Jonah Goes To Nineveh- Chapter 3

Jonah goes to Nineveh and delivers God's warning that "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown." The message spreads quickly, and the people of Nineveh believe God and declare a fast. Even the king of Nineveh responds by humbling himself, removing his royal robes, and covering himself with sackcloth. He issues a decree that everyone, including animals, must fast, wear sackcloth, urgently call on God, and turn from their evil ways. The king hopes that God might relent and show compassion. When God sees their genuine repentance, He decides not to bring upon them the destruction He had threatened, showing His mercy in response to their change of heart.

Jonah's Anger At The LORD's Compassion- Chapter 4

Jonah becomes angry when God shows compassion to Nineveh, believing it was wrong for God to spare the city. He claims to know that God was gracious, compassionate, and slow to anger, which is why he initially fled to Tarshish. Jonah, overwhelmed with despair, asks God to take his life. God questions Jonah’s anger and provides a leafy plant to give him shade. However, the next day, God sends a worm to wither the plant and a scorching wind, making Jonah even more miserable. When Jonah again expresses a desire to die, God challenges him, pointing out that Jonah is upset about the plant he did not create and did not have before God gave it to him. God points out that Jonah has no concern for the people of Nineveh. God emphasizes His mercy, noting that Nineveh has more than 120,000 people who cannot discern right from wrong, along with many animals.