The Book of Jonah can be found in the Nevi’im, which is the second section of the Jewish text that contains all the writings of the prophets. Jonah is one of the twelve minor prophets. In Jewish culture, typically the Book of Jonah is read in the afternoon of Yom Kippur. It is one of the high holy days for our Jewish siblings. It is considered a Day of Atonement or reconciliation. Jonah should be read as satire, where the characters are put in extreme circumstances, like literally inside the belly of a big fish, and handle those circumstances with humor and irony.
The first time God called out to Jonah, Jonah ran away. There was no way he was going to go to Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire. It was unthinkable; so, Jonah finds himself hiding out on a boat, going in a completely different direction.
And then God sends a storm. It is like God is saying, “You’re not going to get away from me.” And the sailors throw Jonah overboard. When the sea calms down, God appoints a big fish to swallow Jonah. Jonah cries out in desperation and in prayer. God hears Jonah’s prayer and Jonah finds himself on dry land. And once again, God tells Jonah to go to Nineveh. This time, however, Jonah goes without hesitation because he realizes that with his prayer, his life had been spared when he was spewed out of the fish onto dry land.
While in Nineveh, Jonah proclaims the city had 40 days to change their ways, otherwise the city would be overthrown. The people listened, repented, and changed their ways. God noticed this and changed God’s mind and did not overthrow the city.
As a prophet, Jonah should be ecstatic, but he is angry. He is angry that God saved the people of Nineveh. He is angry about God’s compassion. God, being the ever so patient parent says, “Really, is it right for you to be this angry? I am God of all these people, all these creatures. You are no more special than them. I can care about them as I can care about you.”
This is the heart of the message — that God is compassionate. We are to remember that God’s love is for all, all humanity and all creation. With that, we should extend love and care for all, too. Even if we do not agree with them, just as Jonah did not agree with God.
It is an important reminder at a time when our world is filled with divisiveness. We are at odds with each other regarding world conflict, gun control, bare human necessities and what constitutes as a basic human right, and overall thoughts of what makes someone worthy.
It becomes even more important when we realize we are in a presidential election year and will encounter people who do not have the same political affiliation as us. When we do not agree with someone, will we have enough heart to recognize that God loves that person? Not only that God loves that person, but that we should too?
The same God that gave Jonah a second chance, gives the people of Nineveh a second chance and we cannot be resentful about that kind of love, compassion, and mercy. The Book of Jonah is more than a story about a big fish. It’s a story of listening to God’s call. It’s a story about second chances. It’s a story of repentance. And it’s a story of God’s compassion. And for that, we should be grateful.
— Reflections appears regularly on the religion page. The column features a variety of local writers, coordinated through the Monroe Area Clergy Group. Rev. Christina Schoenwetter is the Associate Pastor of Engagement at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Monroe.
