The Story of Jonah
Review of Previous Posts
The posts in this Jonah Series of the Prophets Section explore meanings for the story of Jonah. The previous post, Number 3 of 14, was the first of four posts presenting several implications for the story of Jonah.
Preview of this Post
This is post 4 of 14 and is the first of four posts presenting implications for the story of Jonah.
- Implications of the story
- God is supreme
Using the above interpretation, it seems clear that the story shows that the God of Israel has dominion over all people, including those who worship other gods, as shown by the quick acceptance of God by the sailors as well as the quick repentance by the Ninevites as well as God’s ability to punish these non-believers. As such, any other gods were nothing but figments of people’s imaginations.
The story of Jonah illustrates the fact that God has power everywhere, even at sea, outside the geographic boundaries of Israel, and in pagan cities, and over everyone, even pagan sailors and pagan city dwellers. This theme is reflected in the teachings of the prophets who warned the people of Judah and Israel that God was merely using the pagan nations as His tools to punish them and would get around to the pagans in His own good time.
- God cares about all
The story also shows that God cares about all. Clearly, the episode of the plant shows this. Jonah had expended no effort or time in developing it, yet mourned its demise. Jonah did not need the plant for shade, he had a booth for that, he cared about the plant for itself. God was showing Jonah that if Jonah could care for a mere plant with which he had no association, how could Jonah expect God to not care for people? People that He had created in fact. In response to Jonah’s reaction to the plant and its demise, God specifically stated: “You cared about the plant, which you did not work for and which you did not grow, which appeared overnight and perished overnight. And should not I care about Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who do not yet know their right hand from their left, and many beasts as well!” Why would God not care for something that He had not created? Since God created all, He is supreme over all.
The Book of Jonah is remarkable in this suggestion: “God cares about all.” Prior to this book, it was believed that if Israel sinned, God would surely visit His wrath upon it. However, after this book, the belief shifted to “God does not desire the death of sinners, but their return from their wicked ways. From “death to sinners” to “death to sin and welcome return.” The story of Jonah and the Ninevites shows that even if humans do not believe other humans can change, God does and has faith, belief and trust in us[1]. A remarkable change in emphasis which the Book of Jonah highlights and pioneers.
- God is patient with all
God shows patience and understanding even to those who might be considered by Jonah as enemies. By trying to save a pagan city, Nineveh, and giving them a chance to repent clearly implies that God is patient with all, even non-believers and pagans.
Preview of the next post
The next post, post Number 5 of 14, is the second of four posts discussing implications of the story of Jonah.
[1] This is why this story is read on Yom Kippur. The theme of Yom Kippur is review of one’s life and repentance, or change. The story of Jonah shows that God will accept human change and welcome the sinner, even the worst sinner and even the pagan, back while still hating the sin.