Story of Jonah

The story of Jonah

 Jonah was a Prophet in a little town of Joppa
(present day Jaffa) in Philistine.
 God called him and asked him to go to a place
called Nineveh, capital of Assyria and prophecy
against them.
 But Jonah disobeyed God and boarded a ship
sailing through the Mediterranean Sea and headed to a place called Tarshish
(Tarsus).
 Raging storms broke loose and the sailors found that it was God’s anger that has
caused the storm. Jonah was thrown into the sea.
 He was gulped by a sea fish (whale). Jonah repented and prayed inside the
tummy of the fish. The fish vomited Jonah upon the dry land
 Jonah went and prophesied to Nineveh and the people of Nineveh repented of
their sins.

Map with the places mentioned in the story of Jonah

Who was Jonah?

 He was the son of Amittai who was from Gath-Hepher (few miles north of
Nazareth). Amittai means Truth in Hebrew.
 Jonah (Yunus in Arabic) means Dove (peace).
 Jonah is the 5th minor prophet in the Old testament order.

Historical Background

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 Story of Jonah

 Jonah became a prophet during the reign of Jeroboam II (Israel’s most powerful
King) 793 BC.

 Jonah Prophesied between 793 BC – 753 BC.

 Jonah Preceded Amos.

 Jonah was a little boy during the time of the two miracle working prophets -
Elijah and Elisha.

 Shalmaneser III was the King of Assyria when Jonah prophesied to Nineveh.

 Joppa was an Israeli Territory during that time.

Jonah Book
 The book of Jonah was written by an unknown author.

 There are four chapters in the book of Jonah.

 Each chapter in the book of Jonah conveys a definite message.

Jonah Chapter #1
 God gives an Instruction to Jonah (Go to Nineveh).

 Jonah disobeys God (Travels to Tarshish).

 God creates a storm and makes the sailors to understand that the storm was a
result of Jonah’s disobedience.

 Jonah is thrown inside the sea.

 To make matters worse, a big fish swallows Jonah

Moral: If we disobey God, God will punish us.

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 Story of Jonah

Jonah Chapter #2
 Jonah understands his mistake and prays inside the tummy of the fish.

 He submits himself to God and asks for repentance.

 God forgives him and makes fish to vomit Jonah upon the dry land.

Moral: If we accept our mistakes and repent, God will forgive us and save us.

In Jonah’s case, God used the fish as a submarine.

Jonah Chapter #3
 Jonah goes to Nineveh and preaches to the people of Nineveh.

 The people of Nineveh repent (From King to peasant).

 God forgives them.

Moral: God is a Gracious God. He will forgive and forget our past sins if we really
repent and submit ourselves to him.

Jonah Chapter #4
 When God showed mercy to Nineveh, Jonah gets angry because his prophesy
was not fulfilled.

 Jonah became grumpy and waited to see the destruction of Nineveh. Moreover
the burns in his body (acidic burns because of staying inside the fish’s belly)
irritated him.

 God made a gourd to grow and cover up Jonah. Jonah was glad. Then God made
a worm to eat the gourd. Now when Jonah felt the heat of the sun, he fainted and
wished to die. God did this to make Jonah understand that he was a merciful
God.

Moral: God’s plans, thoughts and ways are not ours. If we hold on to him, we
would understand his plans.

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