The God Who Pursues: Mercy for the Rebel and the City
- Be God's Glory
- Sep 28
- 11 min read
Welcome to Day 272 of The Glory Team Bible Reading Plan.
The story of Jonah is not just about a prophet and a great fish—it is a powerful revelation of God’s relentless pursuit of both His disobedient servant and a wicked city in need of repentance. Across four chapters, we witness Jonah running from God, crying out to God, preaching for God, and wrestling with God. The narrative exposes human weakness and resistance to God’s will, but at the same time highlights the Lord’s sovereign control over creation, His readiness to forgive, and His compassion that extends beyond Israel to all nations. The book ultimately asks its readers whether they will align themselves with God’s mercy or cling to narrow pride and bitterness.
Jonah 1
In the first chapter, God commands Jonah, the son of Amittai, to go to Nineveh and preach against its wickedness. Instead of obeying, Jonah flees in the opposite direction, boarding a ship bound for Tarshish. His attempt to escape the presence of the Lord reveals the futility of resisting God’s sovereignty, for the Lord hurls a great storm upon the sea. The sailors, recognizing the divine nature of their crisis, cast lots and discover Jonah is the cause; they eventually throw him overboard, and the storm immediately ceases. This chapter reveals God as sovereign over creation and determined to confront His prophet, while also showing that Jonah’s rebellion brings danger not just to himself but to those around him. The sailors’ eventual worship of the Lord contrasts with Jonah’s disobedience, teaching that God can use even human failure to draw others to Himself.
Jonah 2
In chapter two, Jonah is swallowed by a great fish appointed by the Lord, where he remains three days and three nights. From inside the fish, Jonah prays a psalm of thanksgiving, acknowledging that it was God who saved him from drowning in the depths. His prayer blends imagery of Sheol and the sea, showing that he understood his life was nearly lost, yet God graciously heard his cry. Jonah recognizes God as the source of salvation, declaring, “Salvation belongs to the Lord” (2:9), which becomes the theological center of the book. At the Lord’s command, the fish vomits Jonah onto dry land, symbolizing both discipline and deliverance. This chapter shows that even in rebellion, God listens to the cries of His people and uses suffering as a means of restoring them to obedience.
Jonah 3
The third chapter begins with God giving Jonah a second chance to go to Nineveh, showing His patience and persistence in calling His servant. Jonah preaches a simple yet powerful message: “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned.” Remarkably, the people of Nineveh, from the greatest to the least, believe God’s word and respond with fasting and repentance. The king himself humbles his throne, covering himself with sackcloth and calling the nation to turn from evil, in hope that God might relent from His anger. God sees their repentance and spares the city from destruction, demonstrating His compassion and readiness to forgive even the most violent and corrupt people. This chapter emphasizes God’s universal mercy and the power of His word to bring transformation, reminding readers that no one is beyond His grace.
Jonah 4
In the final chapter, Jonah responds with anger to God’s mercy toward Nineveh, revealing his bitterness and lack of compassion. He confesses that he fled earlier because he knew God is “gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love” (4:2), showing that his disobedience was rooted in his unwillingness to see God’s mercy extended to his enemies. God uses a plant, a worm, and a scorching wind as object lessons, exposing Jonah’s distorted values—he grieves more for a withered plant than for the lives of over 120,000 people in Nineveh. The book ends with God’s rhetorical question, highlighting His concern for both people and even animals, while Jonah remains silent. This conclusion shifts the focus away from Jonah’s stubbornness to God’s compassion, leaving readers with a decision: will they embrace God’s mercy for all people, or resist it like Jonah?
Origin & Meaning of the Name:
The name Jonah comes from the Hebrew word Yônāh, which means “dove.” In Scripture, a dove can represent peace and reconciliation, but also a restless or wandering spirit, which reflects the irony of Jonah’s life. Though called to be God’s prophet, Jonah initially resisted his mission, yet through God’s pursuit and mercy he became the instrument to bring peace through repentance to the people of Nineveh.
Purpose of the Book:
The purpose of the book is to demonstrate that God’s mercy is not limited to Israel alone, but extends to all nations—even to enemies of His people. Jonah’s story exposes the tension between divine compassion and human reluctance, as he struggled to accept that God would forgive Nineveh, the wicked Assyrian capital. At the same time, the book reveals God’s patience, showing that His desire is not for destruction but for repentance and life.
Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:
Traditional Author: Jonah, son of Amittai (Jonah 1:1). He is also mentioned in 2 Kings 14:25 as a prophet during the reign of Jeroboam II (8th century B.C.).
Internal Evidence: The book is written in the third person, which has led some scholars to suggest it may have been recorded later by another inspired writer. However, Jewish and Christian tradition holds Jonah as the source, since it records his personal rebellion and shame—details unlikely to be invented by someone else.
Cross-Biblical Evidence:
2 Kings 14:25 – Confirms Jonah’s existence as a prophet of the Lord in Israel.
Matthew 12:39–41; Luke 11:29–30 – Jesus affirms Jonah as a historical prophet, comparing Jonah’s three days in the fish to His own death and resurrection.
Extra-Biblical References:
Jewish tradition (e.g., Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews) confirms Jonah as a historical prophet, emphasizing God’s dealings with Gentile nations.
Early church fathers such as Augustine and Jerome affirmed Jonah’s authorship, especially given Christ’s direct reference to him.
Key People:
Jonah – The prophet, reluctant messenger of God’s mercy.
The Sailors – Gentiles who feared God after witnessing His power during the storm.
The People of Nineveh – Including the king, who led the nation in repentance.
God – The main actor in the story, revealing His sovereignty, mercy, and compassion.
The Great Fish – Not a “person,” but a key instrument God used to discipline and redirect Jonah.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Book of Jonah reveals a God who is gracious, merciful, and slow to anger, desiring repentance rather than destruction. The story teaches that His compassion extends far beyond Israel to all people, even those who seem undeserving in human eyes. Jonah’s struggle mirrors our own resistance to showing grace and forgiveness, while God’s patience reminds us that He is always working to turn hearts back to Him. The book closes with God’s question about His concern for more than 120,000 people in Nineveh, leaving readers with the profound truth that His mercy knows no boundaries and His mission is global.
What is God's Name in these Chapters?
In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.
Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.
"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.
Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:
Jonah 1
In Jonah 1, God’s character is shown as sovereign, just, and relentless in His pursuit of His prophet. Jonah tries to flee from the presence of the Lord, but God commands the sea, the wind, and even the casting of lots to expose Jonah’s disobedience. His justice is evident as the storm threatens judgment, yet His mercy appears when the sea calms after Jonah is thrown overboard, sparing the sailors. This teaches that God cannot be escaped and that He lovingly confronts disobedience to bring His people back to Himself.
The Hebrew name most frequently used in this chapter is Yahweh, the covenant name of God that emphasizes His personal relationship with His people. The sailors, who begin the story praying to false gods, end up fearing and sacrificing to Yahweh after experiencing His power. The lesson is clear: God is not just Israel’s Lord but desires to make Himself known to the nations, and His pursuit of Jonah becomes a testimony of His glory to outsiders.
Jonah 2
In Jonah 2, God is revealed as merciful, gracious, and attentive to the cries of His people even in their lowest places. From the belly of the great fish, Jonah prays with imagery of Sheol and drowning, recognizing that God alone brought him up from the pit. The Lord hears Jonah’s prayer of repentance and thanksgiving, showing that He delivers not because of human merit but because salvation belongs to Him. This chapter reminds us that even when discipline feels overwhelming, God’s purpose is always restoration.
The name Jonah invokes here is Yahweh, calling on the covenant God who hears His people in distress. Jonah declares, “Salvation belongs to the Lord” (2:9), affirming that only Yahweh has the power to rescue both body and soul. The lesson is that God’s people must look to Him alone for deliverance, recognizing His grace as the true source of salvation and hope.
Jonah 3
Jonah 3 reveals God as patient, compassionate, and responsive to repentance. Despite Jonah’s earlier rebellion, the Lord gives him a second chance to preach to Nineveh, showing His patience with His prophet. When the people of Nineveh, from the king to the commoner, humble themselves and turn from their evil ways, God relents from the disaster He had threatened. This shows that God delights in mercy and is quick to forgive when people truly repent.
The chapter again uses Yahweh to emphasize God’s covenant faithfulness and His authority over both Israel and the nations. His response to Nineveh’s repentance shows that His mercy is not limited by national borders but extends to all who call upon Him. The lesson here is that God’s compassion is wider than human prejudice, and He calls His people to join Him in extending grace to others.
Jonah 4
In Jonah 4, God’s character is revealed as gracious, patient, and deeply concerned for people. Jonah becomes angry that Nineveh has been spared, and he confesses that he fled because he knew God is “gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” Instead of rebuking Jonah harshly, God patiently engages him with questions and a living parable using a plant, a worm, and a scorching wind. This demonstrates God’s patience with stubborn hearts and His desire to teach His people compassion.
Here again, the divine name Yahweh is central, highlighting His covenant mercy and His faithful character as one who abounds in love. God’s closing question about His concern for Nineveh’s people and animals underscores His role as Creator and Sustainer of all life. The lesson is that God calls His people to reflect His compassion, valuing lives as He does, rather than clinging to pride, prejudice, or self-interest.
Christ in Every Book of the Bible
Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.
The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!
Questions:
Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.
Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?
In Jonah 1, how does God’s sovereignty over creation (wind, sea, and fish) reveal His power and control over all circumstances?
What does God’s pursuit of Jonah, even when he runs away, show us about His relentless love and patience?
In Jonah 2, how does God’s willingness to hear Jonah’s prayer from the belly of the fish display His mercy?
How does God’s response to Nineveh’s repentance in Jonah 3 reflect His compassion and slowness to anger?
What does Jonah 4 teach us about God’s graciousness even toward nations and people considered enemies?
How does God’s patience with Jonah’s anger in chapter 4 reveal His long-suffering character toward His people?
What does the whole book of Jonah show us about God’s heart for the lost and His desire for all to turn to Him?
Questions About Themes:
How does the theme of running from God in Jonah 1 apply to humanity’s tendency to resist God’s call?
What does Jonah’s prayer in chapter 2 reveal about the theme of repentance and restoration?
How does Nineveh’s response to Jonah’s message in chapter 3 highlight the theme of God’s willingness to forgive?
In Jonah 4, how is the theme of God’s compassion contrasted with Jonah’s anger and selfishness?
What theme of mission and evangelism can be drawn from God sending Jonah to a foreign nation?
How does the theme of obedience versus disobedience unfold throughout the four chapters?
What overarching theme does the book of Jonah teach us about God’s plan for the nations?
Reflective Application Questions:
In what ways have you tried to “run from God” like Jonah, and how can you learn to yield instead?
How do Jonah’s experiences in chapter 2 encourage you to cry out to God in your darkest moments?
Nineveh responded with fasting and humility—what would true repentance look like in your life or community?
How do you personally struggle with extending God’s compassion to people you may not like or agree with?
What does Jonah’s frustration in chapter 4 teach you about your own heart when God’s plans don’t match your expectations?
How can Jonah’s story encourage you to participate in God’s mission of reaching the lost around you?
If God were to send you to your “Nineveh,” who or where would that be, and how would you respond?
These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.
Reference Guides:
Life Application Study Guide
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler
The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans
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