(a) How did Jonah react to God's message ? (b) What two lessons do we learn about the nature of God from this episode?

Answer Details

(a) How Jonah reacted to God’s message

God commanded Jonah to arise and go to Nineveh, the great city, and preach against its wickedness. Jonah did not want to obey God’s instruction. Instead of going to Nineveh, he went down to Joppa and boarded a ship going to Tarshish, hoping to flee from the presence of the LORD.

God caused a great storm on the sea which threatened to destroy the ship. The sailors became afraid, prayed to their gods and threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. Jonah, however, was asleep in the lower part of the ship. When the sailors discovered that Jonah was responsible for the storm through casting lots, he told them that he was fleeing from the LORD and asked them to throw him into the sea. They reluctantly threw him into the sea, and immediately the storm became calm.

God appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah remained in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights. There, Jonah prayed to God and acknowledged God’s power to save. God commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah out onto dry land.

After this, God gave Jonah the command a second time to go to Nineveh and preach to its people. This time Jonah obeyed. He went to Nineveh and proclaimed that the city would be overthrown in forty days. The people of Nineveh believed God, repented, fasted and put on sackcloth. When God saw their repentance, He spared the city.

(b) Two lessons about the nature of God

1. God is omnipresent and omniscient. No one can run away from or hide from God. Jonah tried to flee to Tarshish, but God knew where he was and used the storm and the great fish to bring him back.
2. God is merciful and forgiving. God forgave and spared the people of Nineveh when they repented of their sins, showing that He is willing to show mercy to all people who turn from evil.