There are several things which are interesting about the Book of Jonah. First, it is a fantastic story. This does not make it unbelievable or a work of fiction by any means, but its phenomenal claims actually add to its authenticity. Indeed, its placement within the canon of Scripture begs the question, “Why include something like this if it was not a true story?” Second, this book has more to do with the condition of the prophet and God’s love and discipline for him than it does with his actual prophecy.  Finally, Jonah holds the distinction of being the only Old Testament preacher called specifically to Gentiles.

The word “sea” only appears in the first chapter. It appears in verses 4, 5, 9, 11, 12, 13, and 15. The plural appears in chapter 2. It is natural for those familiar with the story of Jonah to first think of the great fish prepared for Jonah, the boat trip to Tarshish, and the sea; however, after Jonah’s prayer in chapter 2, the word “sea” is not mentioned again. At the risk of reading too much into this passage, I find it very comforting that once I repented of my sins and decided to follow Jesus no matter where He would lead, my tumultuous sinful past (the raging sea from which I was saved) is never brought up again.

There is more to be seen in this story also when taken on the whole. Jonah means “dove”.  How fitting indeed that a man called to preach coming destruction to a pagan culture has such a name! But, does this not speak of the peace being offered by God—even to Gentiles? The parallels continue. Through Jonah’s experience, one can see Israel’s past, present, and future. Israel was intended to be a witness for God to the Gentiles; so was Jonah. Israel became jealous that God should offer grace to Gentiles; so did Jonah. Just as Jonah was thrown into the sea, Israel was thrown into the world. As he was swallowed by a great fish but not digested, the Jews were swallowed by other nations yet never lost their national identity. Finally, as Jonah was placed back on to dry land, so will Israel be returned in full to the land which God promised. 

The final chapter finds an angry Jonah (who knew that God was full of grace and mercy) asking to die rather than see God’s salvation toward these brutal Gentiles (Jon. 4:1-3). In these final verses one finds the true lesson of God’s sovereignty. He is sovereign over all—even Gentiles. God gives mercy to whom He will; how sad that God’s prophet had more pity upon a plant than for 120,000 children (they did not know left from right) and the livestock of the country (Jon. 4:11). As Jesus communicated to Nicodemus in John 3, God’s plan was always international in scope.