Jonah’s Disobedience
Category: Failure of obedience
Could endure: Obey God’s call to preach in Nineveh.
“Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it.” (Jonah 1:2)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 28:19; Acts 26:19.
Chose wrongly: Ran away in rebellion.
“But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish.” (Jonah 1:3)
Cross-Refs: Hosea 7:13; Psalm 139:7.
Endured (negatively): Storm, thrown into the sea.
“The LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose.” (Jonah 1:4)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 13:15; Hebrews 12:6.
Why (wrong motive): Fear, prejudice, unwillingness to see Nineveh saved.
“That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God.” (Jonah 4:2)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 34:6; Luke 9:53–55.
Result: Swallowed by fish, humbled, redirected by God.
“Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” (Jonah 1:17)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 12:40; Hebrews 12:11.
Jonah’s Resentment at God’s Mercy
Category: Failure of compassion
Could endure: Rejoice at Nineveh’s repentance.
“Should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh?” (Jonah 4:11)
Cross-Refs: Luke 15:7; Romans 9:15–16.
Chose wrongly: Angry that God spared the city.
“But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry.” (Jonah 4:1)
Cross-Refs: Luke 9:54–55; James 1:20.
Endured (negatively): Misery under the scorching sun, bitter spirit.
“Jonah wanted to die, and said, ‘It would be better for me to die than to live.’” (Jonah 4:8)
Cross-Refs: Numbers 11:15; Job 7:15–16.
Why (wrong motive): National pride, hardness of heart.
“Is it right for you to be angry?” (Jonah 4:4)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 14:30; Luke 10:29–32.
Result: Rebuked by God’s lesson with the plant.
“But the LORD said, ‘You have been concerned about this plant… should I not have concern for Nineveh?’” (Jonah 4:10–11)
Cross-Refs: Ezekiel 33:11; John 3:16.
Nineveh’s Later Relapse (Beyond Jonah’s Time)
Category: Failure of perseverance in repentance
Could endure: Remain repentant and humble before God.
“When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented.” (Jonah 3:10)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 18:7–8; Luke 11:32.
Chose wrongly: Returned to cruelty and violence (as seen later in Nahum).
“Woe to the city of blood, full of lies, full of plunder, never without victims!” (Nahum 3:1, describing Nineveh’s fall)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 10:12; Zephaniah 2:13–15.
Endured (negatively): Destroyed in judgment.
“I am against you, declares the LORD Almighty. I will burn up your chariots in smoke.” (Nahum 2:13)
Cross-Refs: Zephaniah 2:13; Revelation 18:8.
Why (wrong motive): Shallow repentance, unchanged heart.
“Although they fasted, they did not change their ways.” (cf. Isaiah 58:3 — principle of false repentance)
Cross-Refs: Hosea 6:4; Matthew 12:41.
Result: Wiped out as God foretold.
“Nineveh is in ruins—who will mourn for her?” (Nahum 3:7)
Cross-Refs: Zephaniah 2:13–15; Revelation 19:2.