Journal: Emmaus Journal
Volume: EMJ 10:1 (Summer 2001)
Article: Reading Jonah Again for the First Time
Author: Robert Spender

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EmJ 10:1 (Summer 2001) p. 75

Reading Jonah Again for the First Time

Robert Spender

[Bob Spender is Professor and chair of the division of Biblical Studies at Lancaster Bible College. He is in fellowship at Monterey Bible Chapel in Leola, PA.]

Introduction

In our technological age it is pretty common to call a person only to get an answering machine or fifteen minutes of fluffy music. If the busy signal existed in Old Testament times, Jonah would have been the first to use it. Here is a prophet that wanted to avoid a word from the Lord.

The Call of Jonah

We do not know when Jonah began his prophetic career, but 2 Kings 14:23–29 tells us that Jonah, who was from the Israelite town of Gath-hepher, prophesied in the eighth century bc during the time of king Jeroboam II. The beginning of chapter one is not Jonah’s initial call; rather God is simply giving His prophet a new assignment. The opening words of Jonah do not parallel the dramatic visionary encounters of Isaiah or Jeremiah when God called those prophets into His service. They do however parallel the initial words of Jonah chapter three where God again sends Jonah to Nineveh. The importance of this frequently missed fact is that Jonah has already been called as a prophet. He already knows the Lord. This is made extremely clear in chapter four and provides important background for understanding the message of this book.

During the eighth century Israel was enjoying unprecedented growth and prosperity, but the people had forsaken God. They were facing His judgment. Few believed that they were on the threshold of ultimate disaster. God in His mercy was trying to reach His people before it was too late. He raised up Hosea, a native of Israel, and sent Amos, a prophet from Judah; but people were not

EmJ 10:1 (Summer 2001) p. 76

listening. Jonah was a prophet from Israel who went to Nineveh, but his message was intended for the ears of the Northern Kingdom. God, in His grace, was employing yet another method to reach His wayward people.

Overview of Jonah

The book of Jonah is a historical narrative with a didactic purpose. There are many today that would view this book as fiction, allegory, or even satire, but the setting and historical references suggest that it be taken as a historical account of God’s working with and through His reluctant prophet.1

Except for the second chapter, the pace of Jonah’s four chapters moves quickly. The book is full of action and dialogue. The second chapter is a poem and a monologue. It effectively slows the pace of the story for reflection as Jonah�...

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