The Book of Jonah tells the story of a prophet who tries to flee from God's command to preach repentance to the city of Nineveh. Swallowed by a great fish, Jonah prays and is delivered, eventually obeying God. Nineveh repents, but Jonah is displeased with God's mercy. This narrative highlights themes of obedience, divine compassion, and the universal reach of God's love. It challenges readers to consider their own prejudices and embrace the boundless mercy that God extends to all people.
1. Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,2. Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.3. But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. ¶
1. Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God out of the fish’s belly,2. And said, I cried by reason of my affliction to the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and you heard my voice.3. For you had cast me into the deep, in the middle of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all your billows and your waves passed over me.
1. And the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying,2. Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the preaching that I bid you.3. So Jonah arose, and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days’ journey.
1. But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.2. And he prayed to the LORD, and said, I pray you, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before to Tarshish: for I knew that you are a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repent you of the evil.3. Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech you, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live. ¶
