Jonah
Category: Reluctant endurance & struggle with obedience
Could avoid: Run away permanently and ignore God’s call.
“But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish.” (Jonah 1:3)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 20:9; Luke 9:62.
Chose (eventually): Went to Nineveh and proclaimed God’s message.
“Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh.” (Jonah 3:3)
Cross-Refs: Acts 9:15; Matthew 28:19.
Endured: Storm at sea, being swallowed by a great fish, inner turmoil.
“From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God.” (Jonah 2:1)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 18:6; Matthew 12:40.
Why: God’s word compelled him, even when reluctant.
“Salvation comes from the LORD.” (Jonah 2:9)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 45:22; Romans 10:13.
Result: Nineveh repented, but Jonah wrestled with God’s mercy.
“But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry.” (Jonah 4:1)
Cross-Refs: Luke 15:28–32; James 1:20.
The Sailors
Category: Endurance in crisis & turn to true faith
Could avoid: Despair, cling to idols.
“All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god.” (Jonah 1:5)
Cross-Refs: Acts 27:20; Isaiah 44:17.
Chose: Feared the LORD and cried out to Him.
“Then they cried out to the LORD, ‘Please, LORD, do not let us die for taking this man’s life.’” (Jonah 1:14)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 107:28; Acts 27:25.
Endured: Terrifying storm, fear of guilt.
“The sea was getting rougher and rougher.” (Jonah 1:11)
Cross-Refs: Mark 4:37–38; Acts 27:41–44.
Why: Recognised God’s sovereignty.
“Then the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to him.” (Jonah 1:16)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 66:13–14; Romans 1:16.
Result: Experienced God’s deliverance and came to faith.
“They offered a sacrifice to the LORD.” (Jonah 1:16)
Cross-Refs: Malachi 1:11; Acts 10:35.
Ninevites
Category: Endurance through repentance & transformation
Could avoid: Persist in violence and wickedness.
“The Ninevites believed God.” (Jonah 3:5)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 18:7–8; Matthew 12:41.
Chose: Fasted, humbled themselves, turned from evil.
“They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.” (Jonah 3:5)
Cross-Refs: Joel 2:12–13; Luke 11:32.
Endured: National mourning, fasting, sackcloth, ashes.
“Do not let people or animals… taste anything; do not let them eat or drink.” (Jonah 3:7)
Cross-Refs: Esther 4:16; Matthew 11:21.
Why: Hoped God would relent.
“Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger.” (Jonah 3:9)
Cross-Refs: 2 Samuel 12:22; Joel 2:14.
Result: God spared them from judgment.
“When God saw what they did… he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.” (Jonah 3:10)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 34:6–7; 2 Peter 3:9.
God’s Mercy (Divine Endurance)
Category: Longsuffering love toward sinners
Could avoid: Destroy Nineveh immediately.
“Should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people…?” (Jonah 4:11)
Cross-Refs: Ezekiel 33:11; John 3:16.
Chose: Showed patience and compassion.
“When God saw what they did and how they turned… he relented.” (Jonah 3:10)
Cross-Refs: Romans 2:4; 1 Timothy 1:16.
Endured: Jonah’s anger and people’s rebellion.
“But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry.” (Jonah 4:1)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 34:6; 2 Peter 3:15.
Why: God’s character is love and mercy.
“I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love.” (Jonah 4:2)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 103:8; Micah 7:18.
Result: Nineveh spared, mercy magnified.
“He relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.” (Jonah 3:10)
Cross-Refs: Luke 15:7; Romans 11:32.