This Is the Old Testament is part of a twelve-week thematic overview of the entire Bible. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book or two of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture. This week, we’ll continue looking at the Minor Prophets.
What Is Jonah? The book of Jonah is a prophetic narrative that recounts the events surrounding Jonah’s call to preach to the people of Nineveh. It includes the prophet’s time in the belly of a fish, his reluctant message to a repentant Nineveh, and his disappointment with God’s mercy toward the people of this ancient Assyrian city.
How Jonah Fits Into the Story: The book of Jonah shows that God’s gift of salvation is offered not just to Israel, but to the whole world. It displays God’s power over nature and the futility of ignoring His instruction. Jonah’s time in the fish foreshadows Jesus’s burial and resurrection, pointing to Christ’s ultimate fulfillment of the salvation Jonah himself preached.
Reflection Questions:
1. Why do you think Jonah was angered by Nineveh’s repentance? What root sin was at the heart of his actions?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.
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54 thoughts on "Jonah"
It’s funny, as I was reading in Jonah this morning all I thought was how much of an idiot he is. Being so angry that he wanted to die? Definitely immature. Then I remembered that I’ve also got a problem of running away from God’s commands…and the fact that I’m just as bad as Jonah if not worse. So I basically called myself an idiot! And you know what God did? He provided shade for Jonah, and instead of telling him how much of an idiot he was being He asked him if it did him well to be angry. How much more does He do that for us when we deserve to be told how much of idiots we are being!
I think Jonah got mad the God had called him to go to Ninevah even though he didn’t want to and when he did they had already repented. He was mad that God would call him even though God had already seen them repent.
I love how God used Jonah even though he was a sinner. This gives me comfort knowing that he will use me even though I am a sinner❤️
I think Jonah was experiencing pride because we wasn’t the one to bring them to repentance. I think God used the plant as an example or better yet a reminder of his power over all, that the credit goes to God and not to the flesh.
In the NLT version Jonah 4:3 says “just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen”. For some reason I feel like Jonah was angered because he wanted to be this great big prophet who predicted the fall of the Ninevehites and when that didn’t happen it was more of a pride thing. Instead of thinking about the 120k people that were saved he was thinking about himself.
How many times do I do this (make everything about me)? Lord I ask that you continue to show me my sin. Also I feel like Gods mercy continues to flow into Jonah- He just saved Jonah from the sea and instead of scolding Jonah for being angry he shaded his head to teach Jonah in Love!!! What a great story!! Praying for everyone today – praying that you put on the armor of God and reach that one sinner!!
No matter how far away you feel you are from God, he will always come after you.
VICTORIA E. – Thanks for your reply! Praying with you!
I think Jonah’s anger stems from the root of basic human nature since the fall of man. We want to see people punished for the wrongs they do. Even Christians, under the guise of righteous indignation, want to see people judged by God for their unbelief. Compassion is much more difficult to sincerely show unless we are firmly rooted in Christ and having had a transformation of the heart so that we can see others as God sees them. If we truly have the mind of Christ we will grieve for their sin as Jesus does and pray they will turn to Him and seek forgiveness. When they do we will genuinely rejoice with the angels in heaven.
Redemption is something we all need. Christ came to die for my sins which I rejoice about. God loves us no matter what we do and will forgive us if we ask.
God bless all of you my sisters.
Sisters, thank you for your prayers. The appointment went well, now to wait for confirmation that the procedure was successful next week. Continued prayers for development and health of our little embryo are so so much appreciated. For today’s reading, I always thought Jonah was so interesting, that he literally ran away from God and yet God still used Jonah and showed him mercy rather than just striking him down or allowing him to perish in the belly of that whale.
Adrienne I am so sorry to hear this! I will be praying for Brittany.
Laura, I can relate so well with your situation with your daughter. The Lord has taught me that my place as her Momma is to love her. She knows her Father and I do not agree with her choice. She is watching closely to see how we relate to each other and how we walk in our faith. May your daughter feel such love and acceptance from you as you walk through this with her. The Lord is with you and longs to hear your Momma’s heart cry out to him. Praying with you and for you. ♥️
What interested me the most about this reading is how the fact that God is so gracious and compassionate could be put into such a negative context. Jonah was angered by the Lord’s compassion for the Ninevites. We rejoice in the fact that God shows us such mercy when we sin, yet are selfish enough to say that others who do wrong do not deserve the same compassion and grace from Him. God is the only one who can cast judgment. It is up to us to uplift those who struggle and to encourage them to walk in the path of righteousness.
Jonah appears to be prejudiced against the people of Nineveh. He does not think they deserve God’s grace because they are Assyrian and not chosen by God. I need to be aware of this prejudice in my own life when I have the opportunity to share the gospel with others. Oh, Lord, please pour your love for people into my heart and make me bold with the good news of salvation in Christ Jesus. ♥️
SARAHJOY, MAURA, and ANNE KLINKHAMMER, after posting my comment to Laura, I saw yours. You all said it so much better than I did! What a joy to have hearts bound together for another!
VICTORIA E, praying the transfer procedure was successful and that you are doing well!
CeeGer, Thank you! It went well, we will have confirmation of its success next week, God willing!
*CeeGee*
LAURA, you truly are caught between a rock and a hard place! I hear the pain and concern for your daughter in your posts. My thinking is that today’s meeting is about rebuilding your relationship and remembering what ties you together. Share happy memories and make new ones. If her lifestyle comes into the conversation, remind her gently that today is about the 2 of you and your relationship. As you rebuild that love and trust you will be presented the right opportunity to discuss how her expecting your blessing would compromise your relationship with God. I don’t think today is that day, though. Just my thoughts. I will be praying for your heart and your daughter’s and for wisdom, strength, and patience as you proceed.
Ladies, what awesome comments today! Thank you for sharing your insights.
ERB, MELANIE, BRENDA, you’re in my prayers.
I got word this a.m. and don’t have details, but one of “my moms” (I teach preschool) has had a stroke and is in ICU. She has twin girls and a younger “little”. She is in her 30s, eats right and exercises. This seems so strange. Her name is Brittany. Thanks, sisters.
I know it’s maybe not the point of the reflections but I often wonder what Jonah’s history with Ninevah was. Did he live there once or grow up there? Did something traumatic happen to him or someone he loved due to the sinful practices of the Ninevites?
Because Jonah doesn’t even argue with God about going. He just gets up and tries to get away from God. I also wonder if his was not the first time God had told him to go to Ninevah!
I think we can sometimes romanticize the idea our “calling”. That God will only ask us to do exciting, cool things for His kingdom (and He does!) But how often does God ask us to do something we don’t want to do? Something that may make us confront our past or the sin in our heart? Sometimes in very uncomfortable circumstances! And it’s because of those factors that make us the perfect candidate for the job in God’s eyes.
I think this book shows us God’s pursuit of his people’s hearts on the large scale (the entire population of Ninevah) and on the individual scale (Jonah). God is the ultimate multi-tasker!
Kathryn, how are you, how is Derek? Praying for you both. Melanie, praying His healing, wisdom for your Doctors. Victoria E, peace and trust for your heart. Jonah, oh Sisters, how have I been like Jonah going my way so many times in life, instead of seeking His will. Or being angry and judgemental instead of understanding how deep and wide is His transforming love for all not just for me. So interesting the hurt feelings of Jonah, he judges God and is angry that God does, what Jonah knew He would and has mercy on Ninevah. LORD give me grace upon grace for others that they may know the grace You have for them. Let me always remember your unrelenting love for me is not just for me.
ERB, Isaiah 53 so full of Jesus. I feel the first verse is saying Who will hear and understand as well as who has God given the heart to believe? Isaiah 53:3-5 seems to speak also of the way Jesus is treated today. “Like one whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.” How often does the world put shame on believing In the King of Kings. Isaiah 53:4-12 all famous verses that lay out His suffering, His ultimate sacrifice for us. And, that it was God’s plan for our redemption. His suffering – He took our punishment and took up our infirmities, carried our sorrows, was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities, He was oppressed and afflicted, yet dis not open His mouth, led like a lamb to the slaughter, stricken, assigned a grave with the wicked, He poured out His life into death, will justify many, was numbered with the transgressors, bore the sin of many and made intercession for the sinner. This is what Jesus did in love for us. He brought us peace, and by His wounds we are healed, He bore it all, took what we deserved upon Him that we might have freedom in Him, peace that surpasses, life everlasting. So much so much is the love of our Almighty God. His love never fails. Hugs to you my Sisters, sing the song He gives you this day. WEB, will be praying May our LORD God give your body strength and rest and much joy this day. Amazing Love He bestows.
Thank you Maura!
I have never really stopped to think about why Jonah didn’t want to go to Nineveh. It was more than being out of his comfort zone. He truly didn’t believe they were deserving of God’s grace. Ouch. Do I have this same attitude toward others and cover it with the blanket of “acceptable” selfishness?!
I’m not theologian or Bible scholar but I believe Jonah was angry because he felt the people of Nineveh deserved condemnation. They had been very evil people. Listen to the podcast. But God… oh our precious God Who is not easily angered and compassionate and wishes no one to perish. God had compassion for the people of Nineveh. And remember, God is the same yesterday today and forever and He wants no one to perish without Him. Not even us.
Thank you Jesus❤️
I see the theme of judgment in Jonah. I have been reminded frequently recently not to judge others. That Jesus is the one who judges and If revenge is called for, that is God’s right not mine. Also, I see how frequently I might be shown mercy, as Jonah was in the belly of the fish, and then turn around and judge someone else right after I was shown mercy and forgiveness.
Father, help me to show mercy and kindness to everyone and to leave all judgment at your feet. Amen
Laura: praying for you today to be able to love your daughter right where she’s at. That’s what God does for us. She probably knows you disapprove of her choices, so don’t make that the focus of your time together. You are not responsible for what God is doing in her life. I know it is hard to watch, but you need to give her totally to God… the author and perfecter of her story. He loves her more than you do and has made her on purpose and for a purpose. Love does! ❤️
Laura, Praying for you and your husband and your daughter. Call her Beloved, for that is who she is in God’s eyes. My daughter was caught in addiction for so long, it was scary, it stole many things from her. There were times I was unsure if she would survive. But God, He was always faithful. God showed me time and again, while I needed boundaries, He was her salvation and though she would not hear my words, but would hear and feel His love. He was big enough as Creator, Savior, Redeemer and full of enough love to bring her through it, grow her into a strong compassionate woman who loves the Lord. I learned a lot and she has been clean now for 2 years and 8 months, praise Jesus. He answers prayers with immeasurable love. Speak His love over her, He is mighty, trust Him and know He is mighty. I feel God wants you to know He loves your daughter more than you can fathom, you can release her into His hands. Hugs to your Mama’s heart.
@LAURA – saying a prayer that God would allow your time with your daughter to be life giving for you both. May God’s heart and love be evident and draw your sweet girl to Himself.
I’m certain this has been so difficult. May God cover you today with His Spirit.
Jonah angry because he believed he knew better than God and that he had a right to cast judgement on the people of Nineveh.
Ouch.
How many times have I looked at people’s action with a judgmental eye and thought “you know what they deserve?” Me? A child redeemed by God’s own grace and the blood of His Son??? What about me? I deserve death, but I have life, abundantly and eternally despite what I myself deserve. May I hand out grace like candy and leave the judgement to the Judge.
This points again to God’s mercy and His desire that ALL people would know Him. He sends us out to bring the message of redemption to the world that His creation would be reunited with Him. Will we bring the good news? Do our lives speak a better story than the world? Are we distracted by momentary difficulties that we don’t see the needs of those around us? So much to think about today.
Traveling out to San Diego today with my mom and sister. A bittersweet time for us, so requesting prayers that God would do a miracle in our family. And prayers that I would rest and be refreshed to be the best wife and mama I can be. My heart is heavy with my brother’s struggles in his relationship. ❤️
Sarah Joy I will be praying for you and your family. I hope you enjoy SD it’s so beautiful
1. As I read Jonah today I said many times to myself ‘Jonah, what are you doing bud?’….as I came to the end I thought about how there are times in which I am just like Jonah. Jonah was angered by Ninevah’s repentance because Nineveh had been cruel to Israel. Jonah did not want to see Ninevah be shown mercy by the God he knew would provide it. This sentiment shows us the pride Jonah had in himself of being ‘better than’ the people of Ninevah, it lacked the humility God calls us to have, and it definitely missed the mark on forgiveness by Jonah.
2. This story points to the story of redemption because we see Gods love and mercy to a people, once doing evil work, who turned and repented and worshiped Him. We also do evil work (maybe not as consciously but still evil) like the people in Ninevah, but how great to know that God still loves us…despite our ethnicity, social status, race, or gender. Gods word and salvation is for EVERYONE. And we should be sharing the good news with EVERYONE.
Repentance was necessary in the hearts of those who were sinning against God. That word and action has a lot of meaning for me in so many ways. I am meeting with my wayward daughter today for lunch. She is following her own path and has been very stubborn and rebellious when it comes to recognizing her sin. It has been a deep sadness for my husband and myself. Please pray that I will follow God’s lead in what I say to her today. Speaking truth in love is my heart’s desire, but in this situation, it is not always easy. Our daughter wants our blessing on her sinful choices; repentance is not something she sees as necessary and accuses us of being judgmental and unloving. We have been cut off for over a year, but recently she opened the door a little bit to speaking to me, so this is the first time in over a year that we have met. Although I pray for her every day, I’m not sure what to say to her face to face. So I’m asking for wisdom in my words and actions. I want her to know that I love her, but I also want her to understand that the lifestyle she is pursuing is sin, and that repentance and following God’s ways are the only way back. Thank you.
Praying for you. Maybe just love her and pray for God to convict her of her sin. I too have wayward children and have found talking to them about truth only drives them further away when they don’t see their sin. It is difficult and heartbreaking when your children stray but God loves them and your prayers make a difference. You cant have influence without a relationship.
Laura I will be praying for you as I walk to work this morning. Praying that God will give you the words to say to your precious daughter.
Praying that you are able to show your daughter love without condemnation today.
Melanie and Brenda – praying God will guide you through this time, help you find relief from the pain as well as answers to its cause. May He use this to draw you into His arms and wrap you in His love.
Victoria A – excited and stopping to pray now for your appointment today.
Mari V. – Praise God for your time off. I hope you returned to work refreshed and rejuvenated.
Ashley S. – Although it is different for everyone, I understand exhaustion. Sometimes I need to shut down and do nothing but sleep, rest, read my Bible and pray for a full day. (I am not sure if that means I am trying to do too much or if God is just reminding me of where all-strength comes from.) The time I spend with Him in the mornings and throughout the day is just not enough. I get to the point where my soul is so parched I just have to stop and drink of the Living Water. God is so faithful. Much like He gave Jonah the plant and then took it away and allowed him to feel the wind and heat, He graciously both provides for me, and allows my discomfort, as He knows exactly what I need. He sees my heart and thankfully – loves me where I am, taking me where I need to be. God, our God and Father, is so, so good to us, He is where I need to dwell.
Thank you Angie!
Thank you, Angie <3
Actions speak louder than words
in God’s economy,
the heart speaks the loudest of all.
Jonah was angry because he disliked the Ninevites, and he didn’t understand God’s mercy toward them.
Today’s reading was good. So insightful. God can use anyone. Even if we are angry and don’t understand. He is patient with us. Thank God He is slow to angry. In the Bible it amazing to see the character of our Lord. I always have had lots of questions and I pray the Lord continues to go after the one (my dad, my family, my friends) * still in pain. Surgical appointment tomorrow. Praying they can help to get out of this pain
KRISTEN, thank you for sharing this prayer, it is my prayer as well!!
MELANIE, I hope your pain is gone and you are feeling restored.
MAURA, I hope you are well today… I am feeling a bit better. I took some extra meds (as prescribed by my neurologist) and am continuing to rest, and because of this the small seizures are subsiding, which is awesome.. but the side effects of the extra meds are not so fun… please continue to pray!!
Isaiah 53… all I thought about during this chapter was Jesus, Job, and people who suffer for the sake of God. But I wanted to know who specifically this chapter was talking about so I looked it up… and each source I went to had a different person or way of looking at it! The most common was: Messiah. I did come across a very interesting article that said:
“Isaiah 53 is the fourth of the four “Servant Songs.” (The others are found in Isaiah chapters 42, 49 and 50.) and that the ‘suffering servant’ in this chapter is actually the Jewish people. And it is a prophecy foretelling how the world will react when they witness Israel’s salvation in the Messianic era.” …I find this super interesting, and could definitely spend time here digesting that… but totally putting that article aside though…
I found this chapter encouraging on a very personal level. No matter what we’re going through (suffering through) and no matter how others may see or judge us and the journey we’ve had or have been called to walk.. that this “suffering” is momentary and is totally worth it!! WE are HIS testimony (something I need to remember more often) Let us live truly and honestly for the Lord alone, asking & seeking Him constantly and living ONLY to please God and have HIM be glorified.. Hopefully this makes sense… Much love to you dear friend..
May each of you wonderful ladies have an extremely blessed day filled with revelations from the Holy Spirit!!
Wow all of today’s readings were SO good! It was only in the darkness of the belly of the fish that Jonah was able to wrestle with God and come to terms with God’s plans for him in that season. That resonates with my current season of life that I felt God calling me one way but I ran and tried to work things out according to MY plan. Now I feel like I’m coming out of my “belly of the fish” season where I was just angry with God and moping that this was His plan for me. Jonah 2:2 “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry.” It was only in that dark time that I was able to come to a place of full surrender and truly repent of my sins. I already see the Lord blessing me and providing healing in one area of my life that I’ve prayed over for a long time. How it makes my heart happy to know that the angels rejoice over us when we repent of our sins and turn back to God :)
I also laughed at the king’s words in Jonah 3:9 “who knows?” It seems like such a non-chalant statement to impending destruction.
Taylor ❤️
jonah was angered my ninevah’s repentance because he saw himself as more righteous than ninevah & worthy of judgement. in his pride, he didn’t understand god’s grace & mercy towards ninevah ignorant of the fact that his grace & mercy was the very reason jonah was alive. in our story of redemption, the same grace & mercy shown to ninevah is the grace & mercy god shows to us as sinners.
@Melanie when I read your comment from yesterday it was eerie because I was in a lot of pain yesterday morning and ended up going to Urgent care. It ended up all is well but I just wanted to say that I hope things ended up well with you as well. Sending prayers your way.
1. Jonah’s root sin was prejudiced pride. His hatred for the Assyrian people blinded his ability to see them as fellow image-bearers in need of God’s mercy. He relished the idea of God annihilating the enemy of Israel. He could not see why the God of Israel, if He was good, would have anything to do with the evil people of Nineveh. Nevermind that God had not only shown him personally but the entire nation of Israel mercy over and over again for their rebellion and evil. Oh but that was different; they “deserved” His lovingkindness – NOT.
2. I am Jonah when I write off someone or a people group as being beyond responding to God’s call to repentance and salvation. Or when I deterimine that another image-bearer is unworthy of my time or help. Lord, have mercy on me a sinner! Thank You Lord for providing the way for my redemption. May I grow in Your compassion for those who have not yet come to You.
Praying for your requests fellow “shes”. My the God of all comfort be with you today.
God so loved the world that he gave his son to die for us. He loves us so much! I think he is holding off the end of the world to give time for more people to know Him and to believe.
Jonah was angry because he saw himself as being more righteous than Nineveh. He thought he had the right to judge them. Jonah had forgotten his own disobedience and the grace and mercy that God showed him in response to his disobedience. Are the root sins here pride, self-righteousness and thinking he knows better than God? (Sounds familiar to my everyday life!!!)
Jonah was angry because he saw himself as being more righteous than Nineveh. He thought he had the right to judge them. Jonah has forgotten his own disobedience and God’s mercy and grace towards that disobedience. Are the root sins here pride, self-righteousness and thinking he knew better than God? (sounds familiar to my every day life!!!)
Jonah was angry at God for being gracious and showing mercy. Forgetting that it was God’s grace that he was still alive. God didn’t let him go after his disobedience, He gave a fish to save him, and even in Jonah’s anger, God came to him. God delights in showing mercy. He rather has one sinner who repents and needs His grace than 99 righteous who don’t need repentance.
Tbis struck me when they wrote about the futility of ignoring God’s instruction . His plans can’t be thwarted. He is Sovereign and Holy and we aren’t. Help me to see You rightly and to remember that it is futile to not follow Your plan. Thank You for including us in Your plan even though You are all sufficient and have no need. Please forgive me and help me to obedient. Please let all of our country and the lead to repent and be saved for eternity amen!
Amen. Thank you for sharing this prayer. This too is my prayer.