Written by Les Allan – August 1, 2023

Jonah (ESV): Book Survey

General Materials

The Book of Jonah (ESV) is primarily a biographical narrative; while the book contains some historical, chronological, and geographical elements, its primary emphasis is on Jonah’s character (person) and his experiences. This Book of the Bible (Jonah, ESV) is “not” a collection of the prophet’s visions or predictions and stands alone among other prophetic books found in the Bible. The Book of Jonah (ESV) is not a historical account, but rather a biographical narrative that emphasizes Jonah himself apart from chapter two (Jonah 2, ESV) as this psalm could be considered ideological in nature, as it explores themes such as repentance, thanksgiving, and reliance on God.

The Book of Jonah (ESV) is unique among the prophetic books in that it focuses on the story of the prophet himself rather than on his visions or predictions. The book’s narrative structure allows exploring themes such as repentance, mercy, and obedience to God. The story of Jonah’s reluctance to fulfill his divine mission and his eventual change of heart is a powerful illustration of these themes. The emphasis on Jonah’s personal journey also allows for the use of literary devices such as irony and satire to convey the book’s message. The author or authors likely made the decision to present the story of Jonah in narrative form to communicate the book’s themes and message effectively.

 The ESV version of the Book of Jonah recounts the tale of a prophet summoned by God to go to Nineveh and warn them of impending doom due to the city’s wickedness. In this account, Jonah believes that Nineveh’s destruction is imminent because of God’s judgment against it. As a result, Jonah is hesitant to prophesy because he fears that if the people of Nineveh repent, they will be saved.

Major Structural Relationships

Jonah Commission and Flight (Jonah 1:1-3, ESV)

God gives an explicit command to Jonah, and instead of obeying His command Jonah flees to Tarnish (Jonah 1:1-3, ESV).

In Jonah 1:1-3 (ESV), God spoke unto Jonah and gave him an explicit command to go to Nineveh and cry out against the city because of their wickedness. Instead, Jonah chose to flee in the opposite direction by boarding a ship to Tarnish.

Why did Jonah choose to flee?

Because Jonah was unwilling to follow God’s command and was trying to escape God’s presence.

What does this observation highlight?

This observation highlights the contrast between God’ will and Jonah’s action. Jonah, through his free will, chose to disobey God and flee away from his calling. Jonah’s disobedience sets the stage for the rest of the book; he faces the consequences of his actions and learns about God’s mercy and compassion.

What can be learned from Jonah’s disobedience and his attempt to flee (Jonah 1:1-3, ESV)?

            We can learn several important lessons from Jonah’s disobedience and his attempt to run away from God’s presence. First, we see that it is impossible to run away from God. No matter how far we try to flee, God is always present and aware of our actions. Jonah’s attempt to escape from God’s presence proved futile, as God sent a storm to stop him and bring him back to the path of obedience. Second, we learn that disobedience has consequences. Jonah’s disobedience not only put his own life in danger, but endangered the lives of the sailors on the ship. His actions caused a great storm to arise, and it was only through the intervention of God that the ship and its crew were saved. Finally, we see that God is merciful and compassionate. Despite Jonah’s disobedience, God did not abandon or give up on him. Instead, He provided a way for Jonah to repent and return to Him. Through the following events, Jonah learned about the depth of God’s mercy and compassion for him and the people of Nineveh. Jonah’s disobedience and attempt to escape from God’s presence teach us about the futility of escaping from God, the consequences of disobedience, and God’s boundless mercy and compassion (Jonah, ESV).

The Storm and the Sailors Response (Jonah 1:4-16, ESV)

The first observation is that God sent a great storm in response to Jonah’s disobedience.

The storm that God sent was so powerful that it threatened to break the ship that Jonah was on into pieces.

Why did God send this storm?

God sent the storm to show that He is in control of nature and can use it to accomplish His purpose.

What was the sailor’s response to the storm?

These sailors called out to their gods (not the Lord God, the Triune One) and found that when their efforts were futile, Jonah was woken, and they asked him to call on his one true God. The sailors gambled and cast lots to determine who was responsible for the storm – the lot fell upon Jonah (Jonah 1:7, ESV).

What did the sailors do to calm the action of the storm (Jonah, 1:15, ESV)?

            These sailors found that their actions were in vain, and at the suggestion of Jonah, they threw him into the sea. The sea immediately calmed down, and these sailors came to believe and fear Jonah’s God. The sailors feared Jonah’s God made sacrifices and made vows to Him.

What do these observations show us?

            This observation shows how God used the storm to bring Jonah back to obedience and revealed Himself to the sailors. The storm showed Jonah how to obey his calling and led the sailors to recognize that Jonah’s God was powerful and worthy of reverence and worship.

Jonah and the Fish (Jonah 1:17-2:10, ESV)

Observation

God appointed a great fish to bring him into the belly, the belly of the bowels of hell after the sailors threw him into the sea. These passages show us and have shown us all that God is in control of all situations and that God always has a plan.

What did Jonah do while he was in the belly of the fish (Jonah 2:1-9, ESV)?

Jonah prayed to God and acknowledged his disobedience, recognizing God’s sovereignty and power, and then expressed gratitude to God for being saved from drowning.

What did Jonah learn about God from this experience?

Jonah learned that God is merciful and would give him a second chance to obey His command and fulfill his mission. Despite his initial disobedience, God gave Jonah another opportunity to follow and fulfill his calling.

Jonah’s Renewed Commission and Nineveh’s Repentance (Jonah 3:1-10, ESV)

God gives Jonah a second chance to go to Nineveh and deliver His message.

Jonah obeys God’s commands this time and goes to Nineveh, proclaiming that the city will be overthrown in forty days. The people of Nineveh repented, including the king, because they believed God’s message that Jonah delivered.

What are some of the key teachings that can be learned from this passage?

The first is that God is merciful and forgives those that are genuinely repentant. Another is that God is a God of second chances. This passage also shows that when God sees that the people are repentant, He relents from the disaster He had planned for them.

Jonah’s Anger and God’s Response (Jonah 4:1-11, ESV)

Jonah becomes angry because God has spared the Ninevites after they have repented.

Jonah is angry and distraught over God having spared the Ninevites after they have repented.

What does Jonah do while he is in an angry and distraught state of mind?

Jonah is angry and distraught; he prays to God and reveals the reasons why he fled to Tarshish. Jonah reveals that he knew God would forgive the Ninevites because God is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in loving-kindness. In his prayer, Jonah also asked God to take his life because he believed that death was preferable to life.

What are some key teachings that can be learned from this passage?

One of the key teachings is that children of God do not have any right to be angry about God’s plans. Another is that God, through His infinite wisdom extends mercy to all people, even though many of these people may be considered enemies. Lastly, God desires true repentance and is always willing to forgive.

Outline

I. God’s Command to Jonah (Jonah 1:1-2, ESV).

II. Jonah’s Initial Disobedience (Jonah 1:3-17, ESV).

A. Fleeing to Tarshish (Jonah 1:3-13, ESV).

B. Jonah Thrown Into the Sea (Jonah 1:14-16, ESV).

C. In the Belly of the Big Fish (Jonah 1:17, ESV).

III. Jonah’s Prayer (Jonah 2:1-10, ESV).

IV. Obedience in Nineveh (Jonah 3:1-10, ESV).

A. The Lord’s Repeated Command (Jonah 3:1-2, ESV).

B. Jonah Obeys (Jonah 3:3-4, ESV).

C. The Ninevites Repent (Jonah 3:5-9, ESV).

D. God Relents (Jonah 3:10, ESV).

V. God Teaches Jonah Mercy (Jonah 4:1-11, ESV).

Reportorial Questions

Who?

Who is the Author of the Book of Jonah (ESV)?

The actual authorship of the Book of Jonah (ESV) is not entirely certain, with many believing that Jonah wrote the book. Many other scholars believe the book was written by another prophet soon afterward. Some have argued that it was because of information contained in the book that only Jonah could have known that he wrote it. Others have put forth the argument that God also knew all these facts and could have revealed them to another author as well.

What?

What is the Main Theme of the Book of Jonah (ESV)?

The main theme found within the Book of Jonah (ESV) is that God’s compassion has no bounds. God’s compassion is not limited to Jonah and the Israelites but is also available to the pagan sailors and the Ninevites.

When?

When was the Book of Jonah (ESV) Written?

This book (Jonah, ESV) was more than likely written about the fifth or fourth century before Christ. Many believe that it was more than likely written after the Babylonian Exile, while people’s memories were still fresh with the cruelty of the Assyrian tyranny. Many other scholars have placed the date on the book much later, to the post-exilic period, sometime between the late fifth to the early fourth century before Christ.

Where?

Where did the Book of Jonah (ESV) take place?

This book and story of Jonah began in Israel, then moved on to the Mediterranean seaport of Joppa. The book of Jonah (ESV) concludes in the capital city of the Assyrian empire, Nineveh, along the Tigris River.

Why?

Why did God choose Jonah?

There is no specific answer or reason that God chose Jonah to deliver His message. It is clear that it was God that chose Jonah to be His prophet and to deliver God’s message to the people of Nineveh.

How?

How did Jonah respond to God’s call?

            Jonah initially did not obey God’s call and fled to Tarshish instead of obeying God’s call and going to Nineveh. Eventually, Jonah did obey God’s call and went to Nineveh to deliver the message of God that he was called to do in the first place.

Key Verses

“And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights” (Jonah 1:17, ESV).

“Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish” (Jonah 2:1, ESV).

“But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the LORD!” (Jonah 2:9, ESV).

“And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them” (Jonah 3:5, ESV).

“And he prayed to the LORD and said, “O LORD, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster” (Jonah 4:2, ESV).

Other Major Impressions

• God’s unwavering patience and boundless love shine through in the Book of Jonah (ESV), where even those who stray from His path are given another chance to find their way back to Him.