THE BOOK OF JONAH
Jonah, the son of Amittai, was a native of Gath-hepher in Zebulon. He is
mentioned in 2 Kings 14:25 which establishes the fact of his being one of the
Hebrew prophets. The Lord Jesus also referred to him. This we find by reading
Matthew 12:39-41; 16:4; and Luke 11:29-32. It is generally considered that his
ministry took place during the reign of Jeroboam II, which began about 825 B.C.
Dr. Schofield speaks of Jonah as being a bigoted Jew who was unwilling to carry
a message to the Gentiles, and when he finally was compelled to go, complained
to God because He withheld His judgment when the people of Ninevah repented.
There are four chapters to the book and they form the natural divisions to the
narrative as follows:
1. Chapter 1. Jonah’s first commission and his flight.
2. Chapter 2. Jonah’s prayer and God’s answer.
3. Chapter 3. The repentance of Ninevah.
4. Chapter 4. A lesson on Divine compassion.
JONAH’S FIRST COMMISSION AND HIS FLIGHT.
In Ch. 1:2 we read of how God told Jonah to go to Ninevah and cry against it.
Such a commission was not easy to accept and the prophet deliberately took a
ship and went in an opposite direction. We learn from the scriptures that one
cannot hide from God, and it was surely proven in this case. A great storm
arose, and until Jonah was cast overboard at his own request, the shipmen could
not handle the situation. Then the sea ceased from her raging, vs. 12-15. In His
mercy, God prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah, and for three days and three
nights he was miraculously kept alive.
JONAH’S PRAYER AND GOD’S ANSWER.
From Ch. 2:5-6 it would seem that Jonah went right to the bottom of the sea
among the weeds before the fish swallowed him. Then from the inside of the fish
he sent forth his prayer, v.4. God heard and spoke unto the fish, which then
vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.
THE REPENTANCE OF NINEVAH.
In Ch.3:2, we read how God repeated Jonah’s commission. Greatly humbled by his
chastening, he went to Ninevah and gave his message, which was that the city was
to be overthrown after forty days, v.4. It is quite likely that the prophet gave
a word of his own experience which no doubt made a deep impression upon the
people. To Jonah’s surprise, the whole city from the king down sincerely
repented, and the judgment of God was averted, v.10.
A LESSON ON DIVINE COMPASSION.
In Ch. 4:1, we read that it displeased Jonah that God should change His mind and
refrain from His intention to overthrow Ninevah. He said that he thought that
something like that would happen, v.2. Evidently God had a good reputation for
mercy and compassion. In order to teach the prophet a lesson, the Lord prepared
a beautiful gourd, which sprang up overnight, this pleased Jonah exceedingly, as
he rested under a shady booth and admired the gourd and was refreshed by its
shadow, v.6. Then to his dismay Jonah saw the gourd quickly wither as it was
bitten by a worm, and it angered him greatly, v.9. Having thus gained his
attention, God spoke to him and showed how that if a man could have compassion
upon a frail piece of vegetation, should he find fault with God who had been
moved to tender pity for a whole city of living souls?
Thus the book ends, but it places on record that the grace of God is extended to
all people, and whosoever turn to Him in sincere repentance will obtain mercy
and be granted remission of sins.