Time:

The Book of Jonah is set during the reign of Jeroboam II (793–753 BC), a period marked by Israel’s relative prosperity and expansion. The exact date of the book’s composition is debated, but it is traditionally placed in the 8th century BC.

Place:

• Israel: Jonah begins his journey in Israel. He is a prophet from the northern kingdom, specifically from Gath-hepher in the region of Zebulun.
• Nineveh: The primary setting for Jonah’s mission is Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, located on the eastern bank of the Tigris River (in modern-day Iraq). Nineveh was a large and significant city known for its great wickedness and power.

Context:

• Jonah is part of the prophetic tradition in Israel, where prophets were called by God to deliver messages of warning, repentance, and hope. Unlike other prophets who primarily addressed Israel, Jonah’s mission extends to a foreign city, highlighting the universal scope of God’s mercy.
• During Jonah’s time, Assyria was a growing threat to Israel. The Assyrians were known for their cruelty and aggression, which makes Jonah’s reluctance to preach to Nineveh understandable from a human perspective.

Who is Jonah?

The son of Amittai from Gath-hepher in Zebulun, who prophesied the restoration of Israel’s borders, which was accomplished by Jeroboam II (782–753 b.c.) (2 Kgs 14:25), and the hero of the book of Jonah (1:1).

A SEASON OF EXPANSION MUST BE FOLLOWED BY A SEASON OF EXTENSION.

1 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.”

Jon 1:1–2 ESV

7 Reasons to run from Nineveh:

Notorious

Idolators

National Enemy

Ego

Vengeance

Exiled

Hopeless

Questions:

• What Nineveh are you running from?
• Have you run from your calling?
• What are your reasons for running?
• How long have you been running from God?

Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call

out against it the message that I tell you.” 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord.

Jon 3:1–3 ESV