Jonah the prophet
Jonah is an unusual book in many ways. His mission was to reach the Gentiles and his focus was neither on Israel nor Judah. Much of the focus of this ‘minor prophet’ is on Jonah himself, as well as his message to Nineveh. Also, why is Jonah known as a prophet? A prophet is God’s mouthpiece and that could involve either forthtelling or foretelling, but there is more in view here.
2 Kings 14:25 is a critical reference regarding Jonah as a prophet concerning when Jeroboam II ruled Israel and restored the territory of Israel. “He restored the territory of Israel from the entrance of Hamath to the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the Lord God of Israel, which He had spoken through His servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet who was from Gath Hepher.” This prophecy came to pass and helps us to understand Jonah as a prophet and strongly supports the historicity for the book of Jonah.
Jonah is also a prophetic type of Messiah regarding certain aspects of His character and the resurrection. Merrill Unger states, “Although the book is correctly evaluated as history, it is more than a recital of historical events; otherwise it would have no place among the twelve minor prophets. It is also to be viewed legitimately as a prophecy, since it was written by a prophet and possesses a prophetic motif. In other words, the book of Jonah is predictive history; the prophetic element is set forth typically. That literary form takes it far beyond a mere biographical or autobiographical account and invests it with far-reaching spiritual and prophetic value.”[i]
The name ‘Jonah’ means ‘dove’ and his father’s name ‘Amittai’ means ‘true to God’. How interesting it is that many individuals today and even professing believers, do not consider this book as literal history. The 2 Kings 14:25 reference has demonstrated that this should be understood as a historical record and confirms the prophet’s name and his father’s name. Since the prophecy concerning Israel’s’ territory was fulfilled and Jonah was identified as coming from Gath Hepher, the book of 2 Kings shows that Jonah was a historical character and should be regarded as such.
Having said all the above, Jonah is one of the most challenged books of the Bible especially by the liberals and higher critics. In the JPS Jewish Study Bible written by reform Jewish scholars, a quote from the introduction is as follows. “Although there is some debate on the matter, the usual date for the composition of Jonah is the Persian period. No critical scholar today advocates the historicity of the prophet and his fantastic misadventures.”[ii]
But what did Yeshua (Jesus) state concerning the events in Jonah? In Matthew 12:38-42 this account is understood literally. “Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.”
So it is important that we consider this book literally, historically and theologically. Jonah is a type of Messiah and amongst other themes, points towards repentance and salvation. Additionally, Josephus recounts the events of Jonah and that he was in the whale three days and nights before being spat out.[iii]
Jonah’s setting
For now we will consider Nineveh but in the next article we will explore Tarshish and Joppa. Nineveh was an infamous ancient city described in Jonah as a three-day journey (Jonah 3:3). It is located in northern Iraq on the eastern bank of the River Tigris, opposite Mosul. In 1985, Merrill Unger described the city as comparable in complexity with the city of New York.[iv] Initially, only the central part of Nineveh was discovered, hence some argued against the credibility of the three-day journey. But then later on, the surrounding parts were uncovered confirming the accuracy of the book of Jonah.
The Mosul Museum is the second most important museum in Iraq, though sadly it was looted in 2003. There is a restorative project underway including the Louvre, Smithsonian Institute and the Iraqi Board of Antiquities. The excavation site for Nineveh is enormous. Many artefacts can be seen in London, Paris and in Iraq. The Iraq Museum in Baghdad hosts many related objects and Nineveh was formerly the capital of Assyria for many years.
Let us also consider major events leading up to the time of Jonah’s arrival at Nineveh. Walvoord & Zuck add that “Before Jonah arrived at this seemingly impregnable fortress-city, two plagues had erupted there (in 765BC and 759BC) and a total eclipse of the sun occurred on June 15, 763. These were considered signs of divine anger and may help explain why the Ninevites responded so readily to Jonah’s message, around 759.”[v] The liberal may dare to contend that these ‘coincidences were in fact the cause’ although the believer will recognise God’s sovereign hand throughout the course of all these events. Let us not forget the ten plagues that fell in quick succession, within a short duration which consistently fell on the Egyptians, not the Israelites.
One must enquire why Jonah was so opposed to venture to Nineveh? We know that he knew that the Lord is gracious, compassionate, merciful, slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness, one who relents from doing harm (Jonah 4:2). So why was he so determined not to go to Nineveh? If we pause to ponder what the Assyrians at that time were like and what they used to do, that will help us to comprehend Jonah’s aspirations.
What the Assyrians from that era used to do has been preserved graphically and in great detail on the walls of their palaces. They were excessively unashamedly brutal people and they displayed that on their palace walls. There are scenes of killing, slaughtering and impaling human victims as well as cruel means of lion hunting. At one visit to the British Museum, whilst I was giving an archaeological tour, another tour leader remarked that the Assyrians were more brutal than the Romans. Assyrian punishment included a pre-cursor of crucifixion. Crucifixion was not for Roman citizens and was used to set an example for what they considered to be the worst form of criminals and would take place outside the city walls. At Nineveh however, it was on display. Can you see now, why Jonah was so reluctant to journey to Nineveh?
The book of Jonah is read on Yom Kippur including themes of running away from God, God’s compassion on all creatures also including livestock (Jonah 4:11) and repentance. However, James Bruckner cautions against those who would use the book of Jonah against the Jewish people. “Jonah must not be typecast as a faithless representative of a stingy Israel… The “Jonah as reluctant Israel” typology is unfaithful to Paul’s struggle in Romans 9-11 with God’s promises to the chosen people and the reality of Jesus’ call for his followers to be a witness to all people. In the light of the Christian record in Europe in the last century, any reading that maintains this kind of interpretation either wittingly or unwittingly participates in a hateful error. At the very least, Christians are called to love and bear witness, not to hate.”[vi]
Jonah’s themes
There are a number of vital themes in this tremendous book that have much application for today.
Repentance
Even the bloodthirsty Ninevites repented so there is hope for us all, but we must turn to the Lord and trust in Him since repentance requires turning away from sin and turning towards God. Jonah himself was running from God’s calling and needed to run towards the Lord and not from Him.
In a sense Jonah was hiding from God in a way akin to that of Adam and Eve. We can run but we cannot hide from God. The Ninevites did not know God, yet they repented and proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth. Jonah new God though he needed to obey God but the good shepherd helps us when we wander off.
Salvation
The theme of salvation is evident in each of the chapters of Jonah. In Jonah 1, the sailors were saved from the storm. At first, they cried out to their respective gods but to no avail. But then they turned to Jonah’s God and their lives were spared. They also feared God exceedingly so they were saved in a more enduring and yet more vital way by the living God.
In Jonah 2, Jonah is kept in the great fish and it is a wonder that he is not digested but vomited onto dry land. The events of the second chapter foreshadow the resurrection of Messiah and of whom Jonah was a sign. In Jonah 3, the Ninevites repent in earnest and believe in the Lord. Lastly, in Jonah 4, we learn about God’s ways and His character and salvation for all who would trust in Him.
God’s Sovereignty
The Lord shows Himself to be sovereign as the events unfold in this remarkable account. We make our plans although the Lord directs our paths. The lot falls on Jonah. Jonah either pays for or hires a ship but the Lord sends him back in a great fish. Jonah preaches a strong sermon, not a seeker sensitive or ear tickling, watered down gospel. If they did not repent, then the Lord would not relent from judgement. God relented because the repentance was genuine and they responded to the message from Jonah.
Resurrection
In Jonah 2 we can see a foreshadowing of the resurrection of Jesus the Messiah. Matthew 12:40 points towards the sign of Jonah looking towards Jesus’ resurrection. The resurrection of Yeshua is the greatest miracle and affects everything since it is the very basis of the believer’s faith and assurance of heaven by trusting in the one who died and rose the third day.
Prayer
Initially the mariners prayed to their gods but that was ineffective and so they called out to Jonah’s God. Have you noticed that in emergencies people who state they do not believe in God start praying and even ask you to pray for them? Have you noticed that some who apparently do not believe in God, blame Him when things go wrong? But this is different since the mariners pray in earnest to the One true God who is able to deliver them. So rather than being our last resort, prayer should be our first thought, praying at all times and praying without ceasing.
Praying in the belly of the great fish reminds us that we can pray at all times and locations. It is wise to find somewhere to pray where we will not be disturbed. This might not necessarily be in the belly of a great fish but it could be a large cupboard under the stairs! The King of Israel cried mightily to God and the technical term for that is prayer. In Jonah 4, we have an extended dialogue between Jonah and God, that is simply prayer. How important it is then that we endeavour to cultivate a lifetime and a lifestyle of fervent prayer.
Compassion
Jonah 4:2 speaks of the Lord’s character. “So he prayed to the Lord, and said, “Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm.”
Sadly, some say that the Tanakh (Old Testament) has a God that is vengeful but the Brit Hadasha (New Testament) has a God that is far more compassionate. From what Bible are they reading? Jeremiah says, “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.” (Lamentations 3:22) Malachi says, “For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.” (Malachi 3:6) Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” James says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)
God’s miraculous power
We must believe in the Lord and in His ability to perform miracles. The Lord who created the universe, sustains the universe and interacts with His creation and can perform miraculous acts. John MacArthur notes ten miracles in the narrative. The Lord sent out a great wind on the sea and the lot fell on Jonah. The sea ceased from raging and the Lord prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah alive. The Lord then spoke to the fish and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. God saw their works and they turned from their evil way and then the Lord prepared a plant, a worm and a vehement east wind. (Jonah 1:4, 7, 15; 2:10: 3:10: 4:6, 7, 8).[vii]
Closing thoughts
We must trust in Jonah’s God and in His resurrected Son who brings salvation. We must believe Moses and the prophets and that the Bible is true. We must avoid the wrath and judgement of a holy God and run to Him and not from Him. We must always remember that those who turn to Jesus the Messiah, He will by no means cast away.
[i] Merrill F. Unger Unger’s Commentary On the Old Testament (AMG, 2002; Chattanooga), p1823
[ii] The Jewish Study Bible JPS Tanakh Editors Adele Berlin & Marc Zvi Brettler (Oxford University Press, 2004; Oxford), p1199
[iii] The New Complete Works of Josephus Translated by William Whiston Commentary by Paul L. Maier (Kregel, 1999; Grand Rapids), Jewish Antiquities, 9:10:2, p326
[iv] Merrill Unger Unger’s Bible Dictionary (Moody Press, 1985; Chicago), p795-796
[v] John F, Walvoord & Roy B. Zuck (Editors) The Bible Knowledge Commentary Old Testament (Victory, 1989; USA), p1462
[vi] James Bruckner The New NIV Application Commentary Jonah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah (Zondervan, 2004; Grand Rapids), p61-62
[vii] John MacArthur The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Thomas Nelson, 2005; Nashville), p1012
