Jonah — Introduction & Outline

Jonah was the son of Amittai (1:1) and referred to in 2 Kings 14:23-25 as a prophet from Gath Hepher under Jeroboam II of Israel (782-753 B.C.). Gath Hepher was in the territory of Zebulon in lower Galilee three miles northeast of of Nazareth.

Modern critics claim Jonah was written much later (fifth to third century B.C.) to counter a narrow nationalism under Ezra and Nehemiah with universalistic ideas. However, the universalistic design of God's program is found in many other Scriptures (e.g. Gen. 9:27; 12:3; Lev. 19:33-34; 1 Sam. 2:10; Isa. 2:2; Joel 2:28-32). In addition, critics cite the presence of Aramaic words as proof of a late date, but Aramaic is found in Near Eastern texts as early as 1500 B.C. They also claim Jonah was written as allegory not history. They point to the use of third person and the lack of an explicit claim that Jonah was the author. But other prophets also wrote in third person (e.g. Moses, Isaiah, Daniel) and the lack of mention of Jonah is an argument from silence. That Jonah was a historical figure was already noted from 2 Kings and is also verified by Christ (Matt. 12:40-42; 16:4; Luke 11:29-32). Moreover, Jewish tradition and the presentation of the story complete with historical details about people and places confirms its historicity. What appears to be the motivation for denying historicity is an antisupernatural bias that cannot accept the miracle of the fish.

Since Jonah ministered during the reign of Jeroboam II (782-753 B.C.; 2 Kings 14:23-25), a good date for his writing is about 765 B.C.

From the death of Adadnirari III in 782 B.C. until the coming of Tiglath-pileser III in 745 B.C., Assyria had declined in power but remained a threat to Israel. Ninevah, the capital, was located on the northeast side of the Tigris river 600 miles from Israel (a three month journey). Though the suburbs sprawled over twenty miles in diameter, the inner city of Ninevah was only three miles in diameter. Around the inner city was a wall 50 feet wide and 100 feet high. Assyria was experiencing a trend toward monotheism when Jonah preached to them. His visit to Ninevah and their repentance probably happened under Ashurdan III (773-755 B.C.) and may have been preceded by two plagues in 765 and 759 B.C. and a solar eclipse in 763 B.C. Assyria was known for their cruel treatment of enemies and captives, which was probably why Jonah resisted offering God's salvation to them.

At home, Jonah lived in the time of prosperity under Jeroboam II. This king had thrown off the yoke of Assyria and extended the borders of the northern kingdom. However, the prosperity and peace led Israel into selfish disregard for God's universal concerns.

Jonah was written to emphasize the universality of God's grace and judgment. Israel had become selfish and neglected God's concern for the Gentiles, and thus were blind to His purpose and program for the world. God will save all who turn to Him for "Salvation is of the LORD" (2:9).

The book narrates the story of Jonah who first ran from God in disobedience to His command (chs. 1-2), but later obeyed a second command (chs. 3-4). The first command is for Jonah to go and preach to Ninevah, but the prophet disobeys by heading west toward Tarshish (1:1-3). Jonah cannot escape God's chastening at sea, however (1:4-16). The Gentile mariners evidence more fear of God than Jonah when they rebuke him, toss him into the sea, and worship (1:6-16).

God delivers Jonah by miraculously providing a fish which swallows him (1:17- 2:10). This prompts Jonah to pray from the fish's belly (2:1-9). Here he recognizes God's sovereignty and grace in salvation and vows to sacrifice to God (2:1-9). Jonah is then vomited onto the land (2:10).

When God commands Jonah a second time, the prophet quickly obeys and goes to Ninevah (3:1-4:11). There he preaches judgment and repentance and the king and the whole city repent (3:5-10). God thus relents from judgment (3:10) and Jonah becomes angry with God (4:1- 11). God questions Jonah's right to be angry (4:1-4) and teaches him by way of an object lesson (4:5-8). The plant that shaded him was an act of God's kindness, but Jonah took it for granted and became angry when it was destroyed. Thus God rebukes him and defends His own right to pity and save Ninevah (4:9-11).

Jonah evidenced a myopic view of God's character and program. In this way he represented the selfish nation Israel and their lack of regard for God's concern of salvation for Gentiles.

1. Jonah disobeys God's first command. 1:1-2:10

   1. God commissions Jonah. 1:1-3

      1. God commands Jonah to go to Ninevah. 1:1-2
      2. Jonah disobeys by heading for Tarshish. 1:3
   2. God chastens Jonah at sea. 1:4-16

      1. God sends a great wind. 1:4-5
      2. Jonah's disobedience is rebuked by the mariners. 1:6-9

         1. The captain appeals to Jonah to pray to God. 1:6
         2. The mariners cast lots. 1:7
         3. The mariners interrogate Jonah. 1:8-9
      3. Jonah is thrown into the sea. 1:10-16

         1. The mariners seek Jonah's solution. 1:10-11
         2. Jonah suggests they throw him overboard. 1:12-13
         3. The mariners throw Jonah overboard. 1:14-15
         4. The mariners worship God. 1:16
   3. God delivers Jonah. 1:17-2:10

      1. God prepares a fish which swallows Jonah. 1:17
      2. Jonah prays to God from the fish's belly. 2:1-9
      3. He explains the origin of his prayer. 2:1-2
      4. He reviews his perilous predicament. 2:3-6a
2. He was cast into the midst of the sea. 2:3
3. He realized his separation from God. 2:4
4. He faced imminent death. 2:5-6a
5. He rehearses God's salvation. 2:6b-7
6. He declares a vow to God. 2:8-9

   1. He declares the futility of idolatry. 2:8
   2. He declares he will fulfill his vows. 2:9
   3. He declares that salvation is of Yahweh. 2:10

      1. Jonah is vomited up by the fish. 2:10
7. Jonah Obeys God's Second Command. 3:1-4:11

   1. God commissions Jonah again. 3:1-4

      1. God commands Jonah to go to Ninevah. 3:1-2
      2. Jonah obeys by going to Ninevah and preaching. 3:3-4
   2. The Ninevites respond to Jonah's preaching. 3:5-10

      1. The people repent. 3:5
      2. The king repents. 3:6
      3. The king commands repentance of everyone. 3:7-9

         1. The content of the proclamation. 3:7-8
         2. The motivation behind the proclamation. 3:9
   3. God responds to the Ninevites' repentance. 3:10
   4. Jonah becomes angry with God. 4:1-11

      1. Jonah expresses his anger over God's kindness. 4:1-4

         1. Jonah explains his former disobedience. 4:1-2
         2. Jonah asks God to take his life. 4:3
         3. God questions Jonah's right to be angry. 4:4
      2. God prepares an object lesson for Jonah. 4:5-8

         1. God prepares a plant to shade Jonah. 4:5-6
         2. God prepares a worm to destroy the plant. 4:7
         3. God prepares an east wind to heat Jonah. 4:8a
         4. Jonah again expresses his desire to die. 4:8b
      3. God rebukes Jonah. 4:9-11

         1. Jonah defends his right to be angry over the plant. 4:9
         2. God defends His right to pity Ninevah. 4:10-11