Introduction to the Book of Jonah The events of the Book of Jonah likely
occurred around 775 B.C.
The Book of Jonah shows that God desires the salvation of all peoples, not just the
Jewish people.
But that's not how the prophet Jonah felt.
God tells Jonah to go to the great Assyrian city of Nineveh and to cry out
against its wickedness.
But Jonah doesn't want to go.
He doesn't want Nineveh to repent.
Jonah knows that God is gracious and merciful and would spare this hated enemy
of Israel from destruction if they repent.
So he sailed in the opposite direction.
That's when God used a great fish to rescue Jonah so the Lord could once again
send Jonah to Assyria.
Jonah did deliver God's message, and Nineveh turned to God.
But Jonah sulked because they were not destroyed.
The story of Jonah shows God's loving concern for all people.
It also confronts Jonah's stubborn reluctance and unwillingness to share the
Lord's compassion with other nations.
Consider as you listen how God's purpose for Israel to introduce all nations to God
parallels our responsibility to be willing ambassadors for Him.