By:            Joel Uto

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INTRODUCTION

Jonah is one of the Minor Prophets who prophesied in Israel.

The book is named after the prophet who was its main character. The name Jonah means “Love”.

Jonah was the son of Amittai Jonah 1:1. He lived and prophesied during the reign of Jeroboam II – 2 Kings 14:25.

This was about the period between 793-753 BC. Nothing else, is known about his ministry in Israel. Jesus Christ however, quoted from the book of Jonah, a type of his burial and resurrection Matthew 12:40.

Christians should believe in the narratives and events that occurred in the book of Jonah to be real since Christ actually spoke about or from it.

THE FEATURES OF THE BOOK

Jonah differs from the other Minor Prophets in a number of ways. Unlike other prophetic books, the book does not consist of oracles by a Prophet.

Rather, it is a book about a prophet. Harold Shank said the book of Jonah is about the prophet rather than the words of the prophet.

Jonah is similar to the prophets, Elijah and Elisha whose stories are told but few of their words are recorded (See 1 and 2 Kings).

AUTHOR AND DATE

The book of Jonah didn’t reflect to have been written by the prophet Jonah.

All the same, Jonah has been traditionally accepted as its author and the probable date would have been 780-760 BC.

HISTORICAL SETTING

Jonah was asked to go prophesy against Nineveh. Nineveh was the capital city of the great empire Assyria.

Assyria was the greatest power at the time; Assyria was also enemy to Israel. Assyria was so wicked using terror as a Policy of State.

Jonah at first refused to go but sitting sail for Tarshish (currently a place in Spain) instead.

Whereas Assyria was to the east, Jonah was headed west travelling in the opposite direction He was made to experience storm at Sea as he tried to run away. He was cast or thrown into the sea to die in order to calm the storm, and God prepared a big fish to swallow Jonah.

Being inside the belly of the fish for three days, Jonah changed his mind about obeying the instruction of God.

He went to Nineveh, proclaimed the message that God had given him. As a result of his message preached the people of Nineveh repented and God spared the city.

Nineveh’s repentance didn’t go down well with Jonah instead this outcome saddened and depressed Jonah.

The book ended with God addressing Jonah about his behaviour and attitude after Nineveh was spared.

THE MESSAGE OF JONAH TO NINEVEH

The message Jonah proclaimed was just eight words “yet forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown”.

These magical words produced results.

SUMMARY OF THE BOOK

The book contains four chapters. These chapters in the book of Jonah can be given suitable outlines as:

• Jonah’s attempt to flee from God and from his responsibility and the consequences of the attempt (Chapter 1).
• Jonah’s prayer of Thanksgiving in the belly of the fish for his deliverance from drowning (Chapter 2)
• Jonah’s Successful mission to Nineveh (Chapter 3)
• Jonah’s reaction to the repentance of Nineveh (Chapter 4).

CONCLUSION

On the whole the book presents several truths that are taught namely;

• No one can run away from God Psalms 139:7-9
• A prophet must not evade the performance of his mission. It is similarly applicable to ministers of God and all Christians. Deuteronomy 18:22, 2 Timothy 4:2
• The most sinful person or nation can receive the mercy and forgiveness from God If both truly repent
• God demonstrated his love toward sinners but hate their sins Romans 5. For this cause God Send Christ John 3:16

Finally, May Christians show the love of God as expected of Jonah by our preaching the saving gospel of Christ – Matthew 28:19.

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