Written By Les Allan – July 16, 2023
The Old Testament Book of Jonah
Lesallan Bostron
Ohio Christian University
BIB2015 Old Testament Interpretation (ONLF23)
Professor Mark Godbold
July 16, 2023
The Old Testament Book of Jonah
Found in the Book of the Old Testament is a fascinating story about a prophet (Jonah) who tries to run away from God’s call to preach to the wicked city of Nineveh. Jonah was a Jewish prophet who lived in or around the eighth century before Christ. During the reign of King Jeroboam II of Israel, Jonah served as a prophet. He for saw the rebuilding of Israel’s borders during the peaceful and prosperous time of Jeroboam II, who ruled Israel from 1782 to 753 BC. During this period, Israel did not view Assyria as a potential threat. Nineveh was the capital of the brutal Assyrian empire that dominated the ancient Near East and often attacked and oppressed Israel and Judah. The Book of Jonah is a unique prophetic book, focusing on Jonah’s character and his relationship with God. It is a narrative full of irony, humor, and surprises, without any traditional oracles or messages from God. The Book of Jonah was written in the fifth or fourth century BCE after the Babylonian exile. This Book reflects a universal perspective that challenges the narrow nationalism of some Jews who returned from exile. The book shows that God’s mercy and compassion are not limited to Israel but extend to all nations, even to Israel’s enemies. The Book of Jonah serves as a poignant reminder of God’s boundless love for all people and His desire for their salvation. It also encourages us to reflect on our biases and attitudes toward those who may differ.
The Book of Jonah was written for the people of Israel and all those who would read the Holy Christian Bible. During Jonah’s time as a prophet, Israel was politically powerful, although not necessarily spiritually. Jeroboam II was an evil king in the eyes of the Lord, yet Israel’s borders grew to their largest extent since Solomon’s time.
The Book of Jonah was written for the people of Israel and all future readers of the Bible, is a satirical work of fiction with a cultural background dating back to the fifth or fourth century. Its creation remains unclear to the student, yet its timeless message and enduring relevance have inspired countless individuals throughout the ages.
References:
Bible.net. (2023). What Is the Background of Jonah? Bibles.net. https://www.bibles.net/book-background/background-of-jonah/
GotQuestions.org. (2009, December 22). Who was Jonah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org. GotQuestions.org. https://www.gotquestions.org/life-Jonah.html
King James Bible Online. (2018). OFFICIAL KING JAMES BIBLE ONLINE: AUTHORIZED KING JAMES VERSION (KJV). Kingjamesbibleonline.org. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/
Rasmussen, C. G. (2013). Zondervan Essential Atlas of the Bible. Zondervan.
The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. (2010). Book of Jonah | Old Testament. In Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Book-of-Jonah
Wikipedia Contributors. (2019, October 25). Book of Jonah. Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Jonah
