Jonah
It is thought that Jonah, the fifth of the Minor Prophets, lived during the reign of Jeroboam II, when the kingdom was divided. (Lockyer, 198) Although the Book of Jonah is quite short, just two and one-half pages, it is not short on themes. Because there are so many themes it is hard to classify or to determine its primary message. (Anchor 936 and New Interpreter's 490) These themes range from running away, praying, second chances, anger, and God's compassion and mercy, to name a few. The following will provide a brief explanation of each theme, previously mention, as it relates to the Book of Jonah.
The first theme, running away and its consequences can be found in Chapter 1:1-2:1. Jonah is called by God to go to Nineveh and preach because their wickedness has become a concern to God. Jonah's name means "dove" which in turn signifies "messenger". Ammitai is Jonah's father; Ammitai means truth, which is interpreted as the son of "truth". The interpretation here is that Jonah is a messenger of God's truth. (Hor) As a prophet and "messenger of God's truth" it is Jonah's responsibility to do as God has asked, yet Jonah chooses to run away and gains passage on a ship going to Tarshish. There are many possible answers as to why he ran away, but the reason is not revealed until chapter 4:3. However, even as Jonah flees from his responsibility the presence of God surrounds him in the form of a "violent tempest" or great wind. (New Interpreter's 494) This is God's indirect way of speaking to Jonah and causes the next set of events that begin the consequence.
Frightened by the storm the sailors start to throw the cargo overboard to lighten the load. One in ...