The Prophet Jonah (Part One)

           Jonah, was the son of Amittai (əˈmɪt.aɪ). The events depicted in the book of Jonah took place in approximately 785-760 BC. “According to 2 Kings 14:25, Jonah came from Gath-hepher near Nazareth. The context places him during the long and prosperous reign of Jeroboam II (793-753 BC), making him a prophet to the northern tribes just prior to Amos during the first half of the 8^th century (760 BC). The Pharisees were incorrect when they said, “No prophet has arisen out of Galilee (John 7:52), because Jonah was a Galilean.” ^[1]

The city of Nineveh, where God asked Jonah to go, was located at a northern most point of what is called “The Fertile Crescent” within the borders of the Assyrian Empire. In existence for approximately 3000 years, Nineveh had been known for its decadent behavior, thus earning the name ‘The Evil City’. God commissioned Jonah, a Jew, to “get up and go to the great city of Nineveh.” He was to preach the message of repentance to them. Jonah found this mission to be distasteful. He knew of their evil ways and frankly didn’t want to see them repent. He wanted them to be punished for their behavior. So Jonah went in the opposite direction from Nineveh securing passage on a ship leaving for Tarshish. 

This book is a lesson in the mercy and patience the Lord has with his children. Knowing full well what Jonah’s thoughts were and where he was going God caused a violent storm to rise up and toss the ship he was on. The fearful crew on the ship prayed to their gods to no avail. Knowing his running from God was the cause of this fearsome storm he told the captain of the ship to toss him overboard and the sea would become calm again. They tried to avoid doing this until it became apparent that was the only way the crew would be saved.

            Now God arranged for a great fish* to swallow Jonah; he was inside the fish for 3 days and 3 nights.” ** On the Lord’s orders the fish to spit Jonah onto a beach. A 2^nd time God spoke to Jonah saying, “go to Nineveh and deliver the message I have given you.” This time Jonah obeyed and the king of Nineveh repented along with the entire city.  There is a sad end to the story in that the revival lasted until shortly after 600 BC, when the Ninevites returned to their sinful ways. God sent another (unnamed) prophet with a warning of destruction. This time they didn’t listen and in 612 BC Nineveh was completely destroyed.         

More on Jonah tomorrow. Until that time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible

[1] The MacArthur Bible Commentary; Thomas Nelson Publishers; p.1006.

* The species of fish is uncertain; the Hebrew word for whale is not used here. The type of fish it was is not important here. Suffice it to say it was a fish big enough to swallow a man whole and have him reside within its belly for 3 days and 3 nights. While the notion of a great fish swallowing Jonah sounds unbelievable, it points out the fact that with God absolutely ANYTHING is possible.

** This event makes Jonah an OT type of Christ. Jonah was 3 days in the belly of a great fish; Jesus was 3 days in the grave.