Study on Jonah

Lesson 1 — Overview

We will read the whole book (4 chapters) as part of lesson 1.

Setting

Question: Who is the main character in the book of Jonah? (God)

Question: What is the message of the book from what you currently know about it?

The book of Jonah is not a prophecy, but an account of the prophet’s mission to Nineveh to announce it’s destruction unless they repent.

Jonah initially tries to escape the mission due to personal fears and prejudices. However, after being swallowed by a fish and then vomited out, he obeys God's will and successfully completes his mission to Nineveh.

The story teaches important lessons about repentance, salvation for all nations, and the nature of true prophecy.

It also serves as a symbol of the resurrection of Christ and the universal plan of salvation. The book emphasizes the conditional nature of prophecies and the need for tolerance and charity towards others. Some critics suggest that the book was written to clarify the role of prophets and the nature of prophecy. Additionally, there is a view that Jonah's mission was political, warning Nineveh against attacking Israel. However, the primary focus remains on Jonah's call to repentance and the display of God's mercy and providence towards all people.

A reference to “Jonah son of Amittai” in 2Ki 14:25 places the setting for the book of Jonah between 790 and 760 BC. Jonah therefore serves in the generation just before Amos and Hosea, at the beginning of classical prophecy in Israel. During the time of Jonah, the reign of Jeroboam II (793–753 BC) achieved unparalleled prosperity and military success in the history of Israel’s divided monarchy. The Arameans were the only hindrance to territorial expansion. Assyria, in a period of decline, was preoccupied with internal security. This background is important for it shows that the northern kingdom of Israel at this time was near the top, not the bottom, in the realm of international politics.

Important to note that Nineveh did repent and turned away God’s wrath at the preaching of Jonah. However, about 100 years later God (through Nahum) tells them of their ultimate destruction.

Lesson 2 — Chapter 1