JONAH, BOOK OF

Nineveh was the capital city of Assyria. It was an exceedingly wicked city, but Jehovah loved even these alien Gentiles. Accordingly, he sent Jonah, a prophet from northern Palestine, to proclaim unto the citizens a message of repentance. Jonah rebelled at this mission, heading west instead of east. God caused him to be thrown into the sea where he was swallowed by a huge fish. After three days of "education" in a sub-marine classroom, Jonah decided to do as the Lord had commanded. He went to Nineveh and proclaimed God's message. The people of Nineveh repented and were spared (for another century and a half). The confinement of Jonah in the fish's belly was a pictorial preview of Jesus' stay in the tomb (Mt. 12:40-41).