The Book of Jonah
in a Nutshell
The Book of Jonah
in a Nutshell
Embedded Files
in a Nutshell
The Book of Jonah tells the unusual story of a reluctant prophet sent by Jehovah to deliver a message of warning to the people of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, an enemy of Israel. Rather than obey, Jonah tries to flee in the opposite direction by boarding a ship. Jehovah responds with a great storm, and when Jonah is thrown overboard, he is swallowed by a great fish. Inside the fish, Jonah prays, expressing his distress and renewed dependence on Jehovah. After three days, the fish spits Jonah out, and Jehovah gives him a second chance.
Jonah then goes to Nineveh and proclaims that the city will be destroyed in forty days. Surprisingly, the people of Nineveh, from the king down to the animals, repent in humility and turn from their evil ways. Jehovah sees their sincere change of heart and chooses to have mercy, sparing the city from judgment.
Instead of rejoicing, Jonah becomes angry. He tells Jehovah that this is exactly why he fled, because he knew Jehovah is gracious, compassionate, and slow to anger. Jonah sits outside the city, hoping to see it destroyed, but Jehovah teaches him a lesson using a plant. When the plant that gave Jonah shade withers, Jonah is upset, and Jehovah contrasts Jonah’s concern for a plant with His own compassion for a city full of people who did not know right from wrong.
The book ends with an open question: should Jehovah not be concerned about a great city filled with people, and even animals? This unexpected ending challenges the reader to consider the wideness of Jehovah’s mercy and whether they share His compassion for even the most undeserving.
Jonah is more than a story about a fish, it’s a message about Jehovah’s mercy, His authority over creation, and His desire for all people to repent. It also exposes the danger of spiritual pride and the reluctance to extend grace to those we may view as enemies. Jehovah is not only the God of Israel, but of all nations, and He desires that all turn to Him and live.
JJ Bowks, ©CDMI
The Bible in a Nutshell Series
The Bible in a Nutshell Series
Hebrew Scriptures
Hebrew Scriptures
(Old Testament Books)
Outline of the Book of Jonah
Outline of the Book of Jonah
I. Jonah’s First Commission and Flight (1:1–16)A. Jehovah’s Command to Jonah – 1:1–2
Go to Nineveh and preach against its wickedness – 1:1–2
B. Jonah’s Disobedience – 1:3
Flees to Tarshish, away from Jehovah – 1:3
C. Jehovah Sends a Storm – 1:4–6
Sailors terrified and cry to their gods – 1:4–5
Jonah sleeps as the ship threatens to break – 1:5–6
D. Jonah’s Guilt Revealed – 1:7–10
Casting lots exposes Jonah – 1:7
Jonah admits fleeing from Jehovah – 1:8–10
E. Jonah Sacrificed to Calm the Sea – 1:11–16
Sailors try rowing, then reluctantly throw Jonah overboard – 1:11–15
Sea calms, sailors fear Jehovah and offer sacrifices – 1:15–16
II. Jonah’s Deliverance and Prayer (1:17–2:10)
A. Jonah Swallowed by a Great Fish – 1:17
Three days and three nights in the belly of the fish – 1:17
B. Jonah’s Prayer from the Depths – 2:1–9
Cries out to Jehovah in distress – 2:1–2
Describes descent and desperation – 2:3–6
Remembers Jehovah and vows obedience – 2:7–9
C. Jonah Delivered – 2:10
Fish vomits Jonah onto dry land – 2:10
III. Jonah’s Second Commission and Nineveh’s Repentance (3:1–10)
A. Jehovah Commands Jonah Again – 3:1–2
Same message: go to Nineveh – 3:1–2
B. Jonah Obeys and Preaches – 3:3–4
Enters Nineveh, proclaims judgment in 40 days – 3:3–4
C. Nineveh Repents – 3:5–9
People and king fast, wear sackcloth – 3:5–6
Decree for citywide repentance – 3:7–9
D. Jehovah Spares Nineveh – 3:10
Sees their repentance and relents from disaster – 3:10
IV. Jonah’s Anger and Jehovah’s Lesson in Compassion (4:1–11)
A. Jonah’s Displeasure and Complaint – 4:1–3
Angry that Jehovah showed mercy – 4:1–2
Wishes to die – 4:3
B. Jehovah’s First Question – 4:4
“Do you have good reason to be angry?” – 4:4
C. The Object Lesson of the Plant – 4:5–8
Jonah watches the city from the east – 4:5
Jehovah appoints a plant to shade him – 4:6
Worm destroys the plant, sun beats down – 4:7–8
D. Jehovah’s Second Question and Closing Message – 4:9–11
Jonah more concerned about a plant than people – 4:9–10
Jehovah’s compassion for Nineveh's 120,000 souls – 4:11
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