JONAH

JONAH

JONAH

The prophet Jonah was a real person and not just a character in a parable (2 Kings 14:25; Matt. 12:39–41). God sent him to Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, to a people despised by the Jews. Jonah would rather that Nineveh be destroyed than that the city have an opportunity to repent and be spared. The Assyrians were a cruel people who showed no mercy to their enemies, and Jonah wanted them out of the way.

The book emphasizes God’s grace both to Nineveh and to Jonah. Though Nineveh was a wicked city, God gave the inhabitants opportunity to be spared. Though Jonah was a rebellious servant, God forgave him, used him, and tenderly sought to help him overcome his anger. One outhne of the book is the following: chapter 1rebellion: Jonah goes down; chapter 2—repentance: Jonah goes up; chapter 3—restoration: Jonah goes to; and chapter 4—resentment: Jonah goes out.

The main character in this book is neither the prophet nor the great fish but God, who is mentioned thirty-eight times. The book deals with the important question, “How do you respond to the word and will of God?”

↑ Back to top