Jonah Introduction

Introduction

The book of Jonah is different from other books written by prophets. Most books by the prophets are collections of their writings and speeches. This book, however, tells the story about a prophet. It has only one sentence that is prophecy.

God asks Jonah to go to Nineveh which was the capital of Assyria. The people of Assyria had been enemies of Israel for a long time. God wants Jonah to warn the people of Nineveh that they are going to be destroyed.

The book of Jonah is written like a play. It has two main acts with two scenes in each act. At the beginning of each act God commands Jonah to “Go to the great city of Nineveh.” The first scene in act one is set on a ship. It is headed away from Nineveh. Jonah is trying to avoid what God wants him to do. The second scene takes place in the belly of a huge fish. The fish has swallowed Jonah.

Both scenes in the second act are about the city of Nineveh. The first scene takes place inside the city. Jonah preaches to the people bringing God’s word of warning. The people of the city listen and repent of their sins. The second scene takes place outside the city. Here Jonah struggles with the idea that God will forgive Israel’s enemies.

The people of Israel were like Jonah. They struggled to understand God’s love for their enemies. The message of the book of Jonah is that God wants everyone to know him. Israel’s job was to help other nations respect God. God’s love goes out to all nations. He loves his whole creation.

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Jonah Introduction: NIrV

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Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version®, NIrV®

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Jonah Introduction

Introduction

The book relates how the word of the Lord came to Jonah, a prophet during the reign of Jeroboam II in the 8th century BC. It is unique among prophetic books in focusing on a story about a prophet rather than a collection of oracles. The book contains only a single sentence of prophecy.

The story concerns God’s call to Jonah to warn the people of Nineveh of its coming destruction. The book is structured into two main acts with two scenes each. The repetition of God’s command to Go to the great city of Nineveh marks the beginning of each act. The first scene is set on a ship as Jonah tries to avoid his mission. The second scene takes place in the belly of a huge fish which has swallowed Jonah. In the second act both scenes are associated with Nineveh itself, the first within the city as Jonah preaches and Nineveh repents, the second just outside the city as Jonah struggles with God’s mercy.

Jonah’s role in the book is to represent the attitude of many in Israel towards other nations. Instead of accepting their own calling to help these nations come to know the true God, they considered them enemies and expected God to destroy them. The book teaches that God’s love extends beyond Israel to other nations, indeed, to the whole creation. God’s final question to Jonah is intended for all the book’s readers.

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The Holy Bible, New International Version® (Anglicised), NIV®

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