Here’s a brief summary of why Jonah chose to run from God—an event that highlights powerful lessons on obedience, mercy, and compassion.
But first, let’s set the scene to understand Jonah’s actions more clearly. Watch our animated Bible video or read on for more.
A quick overview of Jonah’s Story
God told Jonah to go to Nineveh, a big city full of wicked people, and warn them to stop doing wrong. But instead of going to Nineveh, Jonah ran the other way! He got on a ship headed to Tarshish, hoping to get far away from God.
While at sea, a huge storm hit, so strong that it almost broke the ship apart. Jonah realized he was the reason for the storm and told the sailors to throw him overboard to save themselves.
Though they didn’t want to, they finally did, and the storm stopped right away. Then God sent a giant fish to swallow Jonah, and he spent three days and nights inside the fish. From there, Jonah prayed, thanking God and promising to follow His commands. God then got the fish to vomit Jonah out onto dry land.
This time, Jonah chose to obey. He went to Nineveh and warned the people that in forty days, their city would be destroyed. Surprisingly, the people of Nineveh believed God’s warning—much to Jonah’s displeasure. They fasted, wore sackcloth, and turned from their wicked ways.
Seeing how they changed, God showed mercy and did not destroy the city as He had said.
So why did Jonah try to run away?
Jonah tried to flee because he didn’t want to bring God’s warning to the people of Nineveh. He knew that God is merciful, and realized that if the people of Nineveh heard this warning and changed their ways, God might forgive them instead of bringing the punishment they deserved. But Jonah didn’t want that.
The people of Nineveh were enemies of Israel and were known for being cruel, and Jonah thought they deserved judgment, not a second chance. So instead of going to Nineveh like God told him, Jonah got on a ship going the opposite way, to Tarshish, hoping to get far away from God’s call.
Later, he even admitted, “I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love” (Jonah 4:2).
In the end, Jonah’s wish for Nineveh’s destruction showed he was thinking more about himself and his own people than about God’s love for everyone.
But God wanted Jonah to understand that, while He is just and punishes sin, His love and mercy are also boundless—and He is ready to show mercy to anyone who desires to turn from their evil ways.
God’s lesson for Jonah (and us!)
After Nineveh repented, Jonah was still unhappy. He left the city and waited to see if God might still destroy it. As he waited, God provided a plant to give Jonah shade, which made him feel better. But the next day, God sent a worm to kill the plant, and Jonah became angry when it died.
God then pointed out that Jonah was upset over a plant he didn’t even create—a plant that grew quickly and died just as fast. And if Jonah could care that much about a plant, God asked, shouldn’t He care even more about a big city like Nineveh, full of people who didn’t yet understand right from wrong, as well as many animals?
Through this, God showed Jonah that His compassion for Nineveh was far greater than Jonah’s concern for the plant.
The lesson of the plant reminds us that God’s mercy reaches even those we might think don’t deserve it. God wants everyone to have a chance to turn from their wrong ways and experience His love.
Questions to ask yourself:
- Are there people in your life that you find hard to show compassion to, and how can you let God’s mercy help you see them differently?
- How can you be more open to sharing God’s love with others, even those you might feel don’t deserve it?
Liked this post? Browse the rest of our Bible devotionals or check out some of our animated Bible videos!
