HISTORICAL CONTENT Jonah prophesied to the northern kingdom (Israel) Nineveh was the capital city of the Assyrian empire which is modern-day Iraq. Some have viewed the story of Jonah as an allegory or a parable. However, Jewish tradition regards the story as factual history and Jesus confirmed the story of Jonah in Matthew 12:39-41. STRUCTURE Jonah runs away from God (chapter 1) Jonah runs to God (chapter 2) Jonah finally listens to God (chapter 3) Jonah gets angry with God (chapter 4) LIFESAVERS When we run from God, it impacts the lives of others (Chapter 1). Jonah 1:10-11; The sailors were terrified when they heard this, for he had already told them he was running away from the Lord. “Oh, why did you do it?” they groaned. And since the storm was getting worse all the time, they asked him, “What should we do to you to stop this storm?” Psalms 139:7-12 It’s never too late to turn back to God (Chapter 2). Jonah 2:1-2; Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish. He said,“I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble, and he answered me. I called to you from the land of the dead, and Lord, you heard me! Jonah 2:7; As my life was slipping away, I remembered the Lord. God never gives up on us (chapter 3). Jonah 3:1; Then the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time: 2“Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh,and deliver the message I have given you.” Jonah 3:10; When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened. Every person matters to God (Chapter 4). Jonah 4:2; So he complained to the Lord about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. Jonah 4:11; But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?” Tools and resources available at thisismybible.io | Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @thisismybibleio