Jonah 1

¹ Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,

² Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.

³ But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

⁴ But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.

⁵ Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that [were] in the ship into the sea, to lighten [it] of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.

⁶ So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.

⁷ And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil [is] upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.

⁸ Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil [is] upon us; What [is] thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what [is] thy country? and of what people [art] thou?

⁹ And he said unto them, I [am] an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry [land].

¹⁰ Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.

¹¹ Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous.

¹² And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest [is] upon you.

¹³ Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring [it] to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them.

¹⁴ Wherefore they cried unto the LORD, and said, We beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee.

¹⁵ So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging.

¹⁶ Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows.

¹⁷ Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Summary of Jonah Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of the Book of Jonah introduces the prophet Jonah and sets the stage for his mission and subsequent flight from God’s command. The chapter highlights themes of disobedience, divine intervention, and the nature of God’s mercy.

Key Characters

• Jonah: A prophet who is called by God to deliver a message to Nineveh.
• God: The divine figure who commands Jonah to go to Nineveh.
• The Sailors: The crew of the ship that Jonah boards to flee from God’s command.
• The Captain: The leader of the sailors who tries to save the ship from the storm.

Plot Overview

1. God’s Command: God instructs Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach against its wickedness.
2. Jonah’s Flight: Instead of obeying, Jonah flees to Tarshish, attempting to escape from God.
3. The Storm: A great storm arises, threatening the ship, which leads to panic among the sailors.
4. Jonah’s Revelation: The sailors cast lots to determine the cause of the storm, and the lot falls on Jonah.
5. Confession: Jonah admits his disobedience and reveals that he is fleeing from God.
6. Jonah’s Sacrifice: To calm the storm, Jonah instructs the sailors to throw him overboard.
7. The Calm: After Jonah is thrown into the sea, the storm ceases, and the sailors fear the Lord.
8. God’s Mercy: A great fish is appointed by God to swallow Jonah, saving him from drowning.

Themes

• Disobedience: Jonah’s initial refusal to follow God’s command highlights human tendencies to resist divine will.
• Divine Sovereignty: God’s control over nature is evident in the storm and the great fish, demonstrating His power.
• Repentance and Mercy: The sailors’ reaction to the storm and their subsequent worship of God illustrate the theme of repentance and divine mercy.
• Isolation vs. Community: Jonah’s isolation from the sailors contrasts with their collective response to the crisis.

Character Analysis

Jonah

Jonah is portrayed as a reluctant prophet who struggles with his mission. His decision to flee to Tarshish indicates a desire to escape from his responsibilities and the challenges of preaching to a hostile audience. This character flaw sets the stage for his transformation throughout the narrative.

The Sailors

The sailors represent the common people who, despite their pagan beliefs, demonstrate a sense of morality and concern for life. Their actions show a willingness to seek divine help in the face of danger, contrasting with Jonah’s initial apathy.

Literary Devices

• Irony: Jonah, a prophet, attempts to flee from God, which is ironic given his role as a messenger of divine will.
• Symbolism: The storm symbolizes chaos and divine displeasure, while the great fish represents God’s provision and mercy.
• Foreshadowing: Jonah’s being swallowed by the fish foreshadows his eventual redemption and the themes of resurrection and second chances.

Conclusion

Jonah Chapter 1 serves as a critical introduction to the themes of disobedience, divine authority, and the complexity of human response to God’s call. The chapter sets the stage for Jonah’s journey of transformation and the unfolding narrative of God’s mercy toward both Jonah and the people of Nineveh.