"Sulking in the Shade" Jonah 3: 1 - 4:11

Jonah perhaps is known  most for running away from God and being swallowed by a big fish.  I used to mention that and then note that the real issue is Jonah not liking God's graciousness toward the Ninevites.  I may have said that so many times over the years, that it is no longer the often forgotten point Jonah.

Although Jonah reads more like a narrative than a prophesy, its inclusion among the prophets is due, in part, to its beginning with a call story, its main character being Jonah, a prophet briefly mentioned in 2 Kings 14: 25; and because it probably originated in prophetic circles (Gowan, Theology of the Prophetic Books:  The Death and Resurrection of Israel, 138).

Jonah has a different feel to it if we think of it as a humorous short story. Laugh at the ridiculous scenes and let the humor instruct.  I am contemplating having some fun with Jonah and doing something like a first person sermon.

Jonah preaches judgment. The Ninevites repent and acknowledge their sinfulness. Note what the king of Nineveh says: "Who knows? God may relent and change his mind; he may turn from his fierce anger, so that we do not perish” (3:9).  Note that Jonah has not called on the Ninevites to repent. He has only preached judgment to them.  The king takes it upon himself to repent before God.  Perhaps this is the real theme of the story – a suggestion to God’s people that God may relent and change God’s mind about how Israel and Judah are being destroyed.

What do you find interesting about the Jonah story?