Minor Prophets, Major Truths - Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah & NahumSample

Introduction to Jonah

The book of Jonah is one of the most well-known stories in the Bible—but it’s far more than a tale about a man swallowed by a big fish. At its heart, Jonah is a story about God’s mercy, not just for His people, but for all nations. When God calls Jonah to preach repentance to Nineveh, the capital of Israel’s enemy, Jonah runs the other way. He doesn’t flee out of fear—but because he knows God is compassionate and might forgive them.

Through a storm, a great fish, and a citywide revival, Jonah is forced to confront his own hard heart. He’s angry when God shows mercy, revealing the tension between divine grace and human prejudice. God’s final question to Jonah—“Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?” (Jonah 4:11, NLT)—is a powerful reminder of His love for all people.

Jonah invites us to wrestle with our own responses to God’s call, especially when it stretches our comfort or challenges our assumptions. It shows that God is patient, persistent, and deeply concerned for the lost—even when we are not.

To gain a deeper understanding of the book, watch this overview from the Bible Project: