Jonah’s name means "A dove". The date when he prophesied is in doubt. Some scholars say 860, others say during the reign of Jeroboam II 760BC.
1. Jonah flees from the Lord. He does not want to accept God’s
work so takes to the sea. The ship is being destroyed by a storm and he tells the crew to
throw him overboard and their ship will be saved. Jonah is saved by being swallowed by a
large fish. Jonah 1:1-17.
2. Jonah prays to the Lord and is deposited by the fish onto dry land. Jonah 2:1-10.
3. Jonah goes to Nineveh. Given a second chance Jonah obeys. His preaching produces a
remarkable effect. The whole city, from the greatest to the least, repents and the city is
saved. Jonah 3:1-10.
4. Jonah’s anger at the Lord’s compassion. Jonah wanted God to confine his love
and mercy to Israel. Let the heathens get their deserts. Far from being delighted that his
message provoked such a fantastic response he was furious. There was no spark of
compassion in Jonah’s heart for the people of Nineveh. God uses a vine to make him
feel something of his own pity for men and women. "Should I not pity Nineveh?".
Jonah 4:1-11.