Page 51 - The Minor Prophets - Student textbook

Jonah 1:17, "But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish
three days and three nights."

Jonah 2:2, "In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me. From the depths of the grave I
called for help, and you listened to my cry."

Jonah 3:10, "When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, He had
compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened."

Brief Summary: Jonah's fear and pride cause him to run from God. He does not wish to go to Nineveh
to preach repentance to the people, as God has commanded, because he feels they are his enemies,
and he is convinced that God will not carry out his threat to destroy the city. Instead he boards a ship
for Tarshish, which is in the opposite direction. Soon a raging storm causes the crew to cast lots and
determine that Jonah is the problem. They throw him overboard, and he is swallowed by a great fish. In
its belly for 3 days and 3 nights, Jonah repents of his sin to God, and the fish vomits him up on dry land
(we wonder what took him so long to repent). Jonah then makes the 500-mile trip to Nineveh and
leads the city in a great revival. But the prophet is displeased (actually pouts) instead of being
thankful when Nineveh repents. Jonah learns his lesson, however, when God uses a wind, a gourd and
a worm to teach him that He is merciful.

"Why was Jonah angry that the Ninevites repented (Jonah 4:1-2)?"

It seems strange that a preacher would be angry that his listeners repented of their sin, but that is
exactly Jonah’s reaction to the Ninevites’ repentance. Jonah 4:2 tells us why: “O LORD, is not this what I
said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are
a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from
disaster.” Jonah knew from the start that God was gracious and merciful. He realized that if the people
of Nineveh repented, God would spare them. The prophet was angry at their repentance because he
would rather see them destroyed.

There are several possible reasons for Jonah’s desire to see Nineveh destroyed. First, Nineveh was the
capital city of Assyria, a ruthless and warlike people who were enemies of Israel. Nineveh’s destruction
would have been seen as a victory for Israel. Second, Jonah probably wanted to see Nineveh’s downfall
to satisfy his own sense of justice. After all, Nineveh deserved God’s judgment. Third, God’s
withholding of judgment from Nineveh could have made Jonah’s words appear illegitimate, since he
had predicted the city’s destruction.

We can learn from Jonah’s negative example that we should praise God for His goodness. First, our God
is a merciful God, willing to forgive all those who repent (see 2 Peter 3:9). The Ninevites were Gentiles,
yet God still extended His salvation to them. In His goodness, God warned the Assyrians before sending
judgment, giving them a chance to repent.

Second, God cares for people of every nation. He is, by nature, a Savior. As Luke 15 reveals in the
parables of the lost sheep, lost coin, and lost son, God’s heart is for the redemption of all who will
come to Him. Further, the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 emphasizes God’s call to take God’s
message of “good news” to all the nations. Romans 1:16 also emphasizes the importance of sharing the
gospel with both Jews and non-Jews.

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