Jonah: Mercy for people the prophet resents

Where Jonah sits

In the story

Act IV, Israel · Divided, c. 930–586 BC

In the Bible

Old Testament · Prophets · book 32 of 66

Before it in the story

Joel

After it in the story

Amos

Jonah son of Amittai receives a mission to Nineveh, flees by sea from Joppa, and is brought back to carry the LORD's warning to the city.

Jonah summary

Jonah in context

Written by

The narrator is unnamed; Jonah son of Amittai is the prophet at the center of the account.

Written to

Readers of the account of Jonah, Nineveh and the LORD's mercy.

Setting

Jonah son of Amittai receives a mission to Nineveh, flees by sea from Joppa, and is brought back to carry the LORD's warning to the city.

When

Jonah ministered in the eighth century BC, during Jeroboam II's reign; the book does not date this mission.

Why

To reveal God's sovereign mercy and confront His people's resentment when He shows compassion to outsiders.

Themes of Jonah

• The LORD rules creation
• Mercy beyond the prophet's preference

Key verses in Jonah

• Jonah 2:9

  But I, with the voice of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to You. I will fulfill what I have vowed. Salvation is from the LORD!”

• Jonah 4:11

  So should I not care about the great city of Nineveh, which has more than 120,000 people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well?”

Jonah chapter by chapter

Part 1 · The fleeing prophet receives mercy 1–2

1. 1
   Jonah 1: The fleeing prophet meets the LORD at sea

   Jonah cannot escape the LORD, who rules the storm and leads pagan sailors to fear Him.

2. 2
   Jonah 2: Salvation is from the LORD

   Jonah gives thanks for rescue from death, and the LORD returns him to dry land.

Part 2 · The spared city exposes the prophet 3–4

1. 3
   Jonah 3: Nineveh turns from violence and is spared

   The LORD renews Jonah's commission, and Nineveh's response to His warning is met with mercy.

2. 4
   Jonah 4: Should the LORD not care for Nineveh?

   The LORD exposes Jonah's selfish anger and teaches the fittingness of compassion for the city and its creatures.

See the outline of Jonah