Jonah

The prophet who ran away

He fled from his calling toward Nineveh, was swallowed by a great fish and, once he obeyed, saw the city repent.

The prophet who ran from God

Called to preach in Nineveh (Israel's enemy), Jonah sets sail in the opposite direction. A storm and a great fish bring him back to his calling.

The mercy he did not want

Nineveh repents and God spares it, and Jonah gets angry. The book exposes the heart that wants grace for itself, but not for its enemy.

Did you know?

• Jesus cited 'the sign of the prophet Jonah', three days in the fish, as a picture of His resurrection. Matthew 12:40

Where to read in the Bible

• Jonah 1–4

Connections

• linked to Jonah and the great fish · stated in the text · Jonah 1:17
• led Nineveh to Repentance · cross-reference · Matthew 12:41

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