Jonah 4:5-11

Jonah’s initial conversation with God after He relented concerning the judgment of Nineveh is over.  God asked him if it was good that he was so angry over God’s mercy and Jonah did not reply.  He decides to leave the city and wait to see what happens. Some think that verses 5-11 describe a flashback […]

Jonah 4:1-4

Nineveh repented and God relented.  Jonah’s mission was an amazing success – far beyond what a neutral observer could ever expect.  He seemingly learned his lesson, preached in obedience to God, received an amazing response, and saved thousands of lives from judgment.  It is now time for everyone to go home happily ever after.  Or […]

Jonah 3

The author sets up Chapter 3 to roughly parallel Chapter 1 (to a lesser extent the same is true of Chapters 2 and 4): God calls Jonah                                        1:1-2                  3:1        God calls JonahJonah responds to the call                    1:3                      3:3        Jonah responds to the callJonah travels to the ship                        1:3                      3:3        Jonah travels to NinevehJonah warns of […]

Jonah 1:17-2:10

1:17Jonah has been thrown overboard and is presumed dead.  The storm is gone and the sailors are worshiping Yahweh on the ship.  God’s plan for Jonah, however, is not over. We do not know for how long Jonah sinks into the sea before the fish swallows him.  In his prayer he will make it plain […]

Jonah 1:1-16

Introduction and BackgroundThe Book of Jonah is the fifth of the Minor Prophets (The Book of the Twelve).  It is unique among the “Latter Prophets” in being almost completely narrative.  Jonah, the son of Amittai, from Gath Hepher in Galilee (cf. II Kings 14:25, Joshua 19:13), prophesied during or shortly before the reign of Jeroboam […]