Jonah, Jonah, Jonah. Daft and grumpy Jonah. I’m sure we can all relate, even if it’s just from time to time!

Unlike the rest of the prophets, this book is less about Jonah’s words and more about who he is as a person, and his interaction with God.

The story of Jonah is one of my favourite in the Old Testament, and not because he was swallowed and spat out by a big fish! It’s because he thinks he can out-run God. He hears God’s call and decides to head in the opposite direction. I’ve tried this before! Not quite like Jonah, but I know what it feels like to try and avoid God’s call! But, God catches up, and in the end, the fish spits Jonah out and her reluctantly does as he is told.

So he arrives and tells the people of Ninevah that God isn’t impressed with them. Unlike in many of the other stories, the people listen and amend their ways! But even then, when God decides to save the people of Ninevah, Jonah has a big strop and goes and sulks under a tree. He doesn’t cope well with God deciding to love and forgive. I wonder what Jonah would have made of Jesus?

My favourite verse: Jonah 1.3: But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.

Aidan fell asleep listening to Jonah once.

With thanks to Three-Shots on Pixabay for the photo.