Israel had been at war and plundered by the Assyrians for years. Jonah wanted God's wrath on them, so he didn't want them to repent. The wonderful thing here is how Jonah was so aware that God is truly merciful. He was sure the Assyrian city of Nineveh would NOT suffer God's judgment. He knew better (by now) than to argue with God so he went ahead reluctantly.
How many times in our lives do we find ourselves in Jonah's place? How often do we want to do what we know will go against God's will and we do it anyway? Paul put it so well when he said: that which I know I should not do, that I do. That which I know I should do, that I do not. Or, something to that effect. Our lives are a constant battle of our flesh against our spirit. We "shame on" Jonah when we should take a lesson here. God is our Father in Heaven and we really are His spoiled children wanting our way and pouting when we don't get it. So often we do not understand that all His ways for us are only for our benefit in the long run. We lack faith.
For a second time, Jonah was told what to do. (Our Father God is patient) Verse three says he obeyed - period.
In verse 4 his stubbornness is rearing it's ugly head again, already. Nineveh is so large it takes three days to walk across the city. Jonah went into the city one day's walk. This is not even half way. Logically speaking, he should have gone at least 1 1/2 day's walk to get to the center of population to deliver his message. Just like a child to go just an inch short of what they are told to do.
As fast as he proclaimed destruction of Nineveh, all citizens repented - even the king. The king even sent out a formal decree ordering fasting, repentance and prayer. His decree not only ordered repentance but showed belief in the existence and power in the God of the Hebrew people - along with the authority of Jonah as God's prophet.
Last verse, 10 reveals, again, the great mercy of God.
A second connection between Jonah and Jesus occurs (ie: the grave in 2:17): the Pharisees in John 7:52, state that "no prophet arises out of Galilee". II Kings 14:2 states that Jonah was from Gath-hepher, a town in Galilee that sits between the Sea of Galilee and Mt. Carmel.
Jonah is referenced 13 times in the New Testament.
God sent a prophet to people who had oppressed His chosen people, to ask them to repent so He could show his amazing mercy (Heb: hesed). They did. In God's great mercy, the entire city of previous idol worshiping oppressors was saved.
It is a great thing that God does not think like we do.
Amen
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