This short book is unique among the prophets in that it is almost totally narrative. More attention has been focused on it because of its miraculous nature. Many scholars do not accept it as a literal history. However, Jesus made use of the book, referring to its literal history more than once. (Matt. 12:38-41; Luke 11:29-32). Jonah was the son of Amittar and lived in Gath-Hepher in Galilee, just above Nazareth. He was nationally known as a prophet in Israel in the days of Jeroboam II. (II Kings 14:25). At that time, Ninevah was capital of the Assyrian nation and was both greedy for power and in a weakened condition, its enemies having pushed their borders to one hundred miles from Ninevah. Jonah was happy to prophesy of the fortunes of Israel, but was loathe to warn a heathen people and save them from judgment. In fact, he probably hoped that by not prophesying to them, they would be engulfed in judgment and no longer be a threat to Israel! Jonah is seen as a narrow bigot who cannot believe God loves the world. Acts 11:8 sums up this Old Testament story and truth in New Testament language. Note that this story indicates that even though Israel and Judah were God’s chosen people, God loved ALL the nations of the earth, even in the Old Covenant.
OUTLINE OF JONAH
I. THE FIRST CALL AND DISOBEDIENCE.
COMMISSION GIVEN AND REJECTED, 1:1-3 Ninevah had been spoken of as having self-confident pride. (Isaiah 10:13). Also, Nahum 3:1,10,19, speaks of their cruelty. Tarshish means “to smelt” — a place where minerals were extracted, and so was a name fitting many places. this particular place was probably Tartessus in Spain. THE STORM, 1:4-7 HIS CONFESSION, 1:8-12 THROWN INTO THE SEA, 1:13-17 Jonah has a great insight to God’s character when he asked to be thrown into the sea. He is saying, “Put me in God’s hands, He is a just God.” The fish is nowhere called a whale. It was a fish sent alongside the boat for this specific purpose. Note how Jesus uses the same designation of it being a great fish. PRAYER AND SALVATION, 2:1-10
It should be noted that his entire prayer is a collection of verses from Psalms.
Jonah Psalm 2:2a 3:4; 120:1 2:2b 18:4-5;30:3 2:3a 88:6-7 2:3b 42:7 2:4a 31:22 2:4b 5:7 2:5 69:1-2 2:6 49:15; 56:13; 103:4 2:7 107:5; 142:3 2:8 31:6 2:9a 50:14; 69:30; 107:22 2:9b 3:8; 37:39
II. SECOND CALL AND OBEDIENCE
HE GOES TO NINEVAH, 3:1-4,11 NINEVAH REPENTS, 3:5-9 THE CITY IS SAVED, 3:10 JONAH’S ANGER, 4:1-4 JONAH’S REPROOF, 4:5-11 Jonah’s hatred for Ninevah can only arise from his fear that they would conquer Israel if left alive. His reference to God’s grace and compassion is a quotation from Exodus 34:6,7, the dominant theme of the worshipping Israelite. Compare Jonah’s attitude with Elijah, I Kings 19:4
Notice the things God prepares in this book:
1:17, a fish. 4:6, a vine. 4:7, the woman. 4:8, the wind. Jonah was angry because although the vine was not his, he would have spared it because it gave him comfort. God is saying, why should He not them spare Ninevah who is ignorant of His salvation. Jonah had more concern for a shrub than for people! The story shows the all reaching heart of God’s love over against the religious selfishness and particularism of Jonah.