Forming Faith Blog

Jonah: Fine, I’ll Do It (Jonah 1, 3, 4)

Posted on October 29 2024 by Gregory Rawn

Jonah is a story of turning from disobedience to obedience, first from the prophet himself and then from the king, people, and animals of Nineveh. But in his heart, did Jonah actually repent?

A close-up image of a fish's face. Jonah's story isn't about a fish, but did Jonah truey repent?
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Seeing (or at Least Hearing) God

With this reading from the Book of Jonah, we continue through our theme “God Sightings” (though it’s a bit more accurate to say “God encounters”). Solomon encounters God in the temple, and then Elijah encounters God in his escape from Ahab. And now, Jonah encounters God.

About a Prophet

The Book of Jonah is in the section “Minor Prophets” (minor in the sense only of shorter length). But it has more in common with Elijah (and Daniel) than Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Micah. This is not a book of prophecies recorded; it’s a story about a prophet. And it is first and foremost a story.

Historical Setting

This story has a setting, a context, when and where it takes place. Scholars don’t know specific details about its historical context, but the story likely takes place in the northern kingdom of Israel during the reign of Jeroboam II (785-740 BCE). This is significant, since the biggest threat to Israel at this time was the Assyrian Empire, whose capital was Nineveh, known for its cruelty.

Audience

The context of the story isn’t all that’s important. All writings are written to an audience within a specific context. These details are also uncertain, but signs point to the book being written to people in Judah after the Babylonian exile, hundreds of years after the story’s setting. This audience would likely know how the history between Israel and the Assyrian Empire ended, with the conquest and disintegration of Israel. The Ninevites did not repent from their wicked ways, and neither did the Judahites’ Babylonian oppressors.

“Why Does God Hate Me?”

Returning to the story itself, it makes sense that Jonah would balk at the call to go to Nineveh with a message condemning their wickedness. Jonah going to Nineveh would be a little like a Ukrainian walking through Moscow yelling that it would be destroyed. Is it a wonder that Jonah wouldn’t jump at the chance? The Ninevites would surely kill Jonah. “What did I do,” he might have asked, “to deserve this?” From Jonah’s perspective, God had given him a death sentence.

“Kill Me Now!”

Forgetting (or not understanding) God’s omnipresence, Jonah decided to escape his certain death by getting as far from God and Nineveh as he could. But you can’t run away from God. So, God sent a great storm against the ship carrying Jonah. The sailors would have presumed that this was the wrath of some god against someone on the ship.

Jonah immediately knew it was the God of Israel who was responsible, and he knew that the ship would be fine once he was no longer aboard. But he didn’t do the easiest thing: just jump overboard. His overwhelming sense of self-preservation, evident in his flight in the first place, seemed to be in charge. But it was not so strong as to prevent him from telling the sailors to chuck him overboard. Even with his insistence, the sailors balked, not wanting to be guilty of murder or even human sacrifice. Still, Jonah selfishly insisted that they do what he was too scared to. They did it, and God saved Jonah from certain death—with a fish.

“Not Like I Have a Choice”

The Narrative Lectionary skips over Jonah 2 since it interrupts the story. It is the turning point in the story, where Jonah turns from disobedience to obedience. This, as we often say, is repentance, a true “about face.” But as I’m reading this critically (and perhaps cynically), the question hits me: did Jonah actually repent? Yes, he turned from disobedience to obedience, but did he feel sorrow for his sins, repenting in his heart and mind, or was it just his actions? There’s a difference between “God, I’ve really messed up this time. Please forgive me. I’ll do better next time” and “Well, if I continue to go against God, I’ll probably die, so I guess I’ll do what God says.”

In chapter 2, Jonah describes calling out to God while he was dying (which he accurately states is God’s doing), God rescuing him, and Jonah’s thankfulness. And given his toddler-esque sulking in chapter 4, I think it’s within the realm of narrative possibility that Jonah remains a reluctant and resentful messenger of God.

Jonah still doesn’t have an assurance that the Ninevites won’t just kill him. God saved him from the storm (that God caused), but that’s only one data point and not a clear pattern. He decided to obey God anyway.

God’s Grace

One thing I don’t think I noticed before: nowhere in God’s message to the Ninevites is a call to repentance. It is a message of wrath and condemnation. There is no “this will happen unless you turn from your ways.” It is just:

“Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”

Jonah 3:4b

But, the king of Nineveh heard the message, believed it, and commanded the entire city (including the animals) to repent. For:

“Who knows? God may relent and change [God’s] mind.”

Jonah 3:9a

And, God does. God shows the Ninevites love and forgiveness, just like the love and forgiveness God showed even the (possibly) unrepentant Jonah. Just like God shows us undeserved love and forgiveness (grace).

Faith Formation Connections

There are many lessons that we can learn from Jonah’s story. In your class, group, or worship service, tell the story in an engaging way (it really lends itself to melodrama), and then let your participants reflect on the passage themselves and share what is significant and meaningful to them.

In God’s grace,

Gregory Rawn (Publisher)

Download a FREE activity for 11/10/2024
Free Resource

During the main Narrative Lectionary year (September 8 to June 8), we provide a free resource download from one of our products to help you in your faith formation ministry. This week, download the activity “Second Chances” from our Living the Word: Kids (3rd-6th, NL) curriculum, though this activity can be used with other age groups!

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