The Call to Preach to Nineveh in Jonah's Ministry
The prophet Jonah received a divine commission to preach to the city of Nineveh, a significant event detailed in the book bearing his name [1, 2]. Nineveh, the ancient capital of Assyria, was known for its wickedness and was described as a "great city" [1, 6]. This call to preach to a Gentile nation is unique among the prophets, as Jonah was sent not only for Nineveh's benefit but also to highlight Israel's own resistance to God's word [10].
The initial command from God to Jonah was to "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach against it, for their wickedness has come up before me" [1]. Jonah, however, attempted to flee from this mission, seeking to escape to Tarshish [4, 12]. This reluctance stemmed from his understanding that God is gracious and merciful, and he feared that his preaching would result in Nineveh's repentance and God's subsequent sparing of the hostile city [4].
After a miraculous intervention involving a great fish, Jonah was given a second commission to Nineveh, with the instruction to "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I give you" [2, 8]. This time, Jonah obeyed, demonstrating a spirit of unconditional obedience [7, 11]. Upon arriving in Nineveh, Jonah proclaimed that "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown" [9]. The city was extensive, requiring a day's journey to traverse while delivering his message [9].
The book of Jonah presents this narrative as an account of actual events, though some critics have interpreted it as a parable due to the miraculous elements it contains [3]. The historicity of Jonah's story is affirmed by its reference in the New Testament by Jesus Christ himself (Matthew 12:39, 40) [3]. The prophet Jonah, son of Amittai, lived during or before the reign of Jeroboam II, around 820 B.C., and had previously prophesied to Israel [4, 5]. His mission to Nineveh serves as a powerful illustration of God's universal concern and mercy, even towards those considered enemies of Israel [10].
Sources
- Jonah ““Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach against it, for their wickedness has come up before me.” -- Jonah 1:2”
- Jonah ““Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I give you.” -- Jonah 3:2”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Jonah, Book of — This book professes to give an account of what actually took place in the experience of the prophet. Some critics have sought to interpret the book as a parable or allegory, and not as a history. They have done so for various reasons. Thus (1) some reject it on the ground that the miraculous element enters so largely into it, and that it is not prophetical but narrative in its form; (2) others, denying the possibility of miracles altogether, hold that therefore it cannot be true history. Jonah and his story is referred to by our Lord (Matt. 12:39, 40”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Jonah — (dove), the fifth of the minor prophets, was the son of Amittai, and a native of Gath-hepher. (2 Kings 14:25) He flourished in or before the reign of Jeroboam II., about B.C. 820. Having already, as it seems, prophesied to Israel, he was sent to Nineveh. The time was one of political revival in Israel; but ere long the Assyrians were to be employed by God as a scourge upon them. The prophet shrank from a commission which he felt sure would result, (Jonah 4:2) in the sparing of a hostile city. He attempted therefore to escape to Tarshish. The providence of God,”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H3124 — Prophet living at the time of Divided Monarchy (refs: #A prophet living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.14.25; <br>referred to as )”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Nineveh — Origin and antiquity of -- Ge 10:11. Situated on the river Tigris -- Na 2:6,8. The ancient capital of Assyria -- 2Ki 19:36; Isa 37:37. Called the bloody city -- Na 3:1. Described as Great. -- Jon 1:2; 3:2. Extensive. -- Jon 3:3. Rich. -- Na 2:9. Strong. -- Na 3:12. Commercial. -- Na 3:16. Populous. -- Jon 4:11. Vile. -- Na 1:14. Wicked. -- Jon 1:2. Idolatrous. -- Na 1:14. Full of joy and carelessness. -- Zep 2:15. Full of lies and robbery. -- Na 3:1. Full of witchcraft. -- Na 3:4. Jonah sent to proclaim the destruction of -- Jon 1:2; 3:1,2,4. Inhabitants of”
- Jonah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jonah 3 (introduction): JONAH'S SECOND COMMISSION TO NINEVEH: THE NINEVITES REPENT OF THEIR EVIL WAY: SO GOD REPENTS OF THE EVIL THREATENED. () preach . . . the preaching--literally, "proclaim the proclamation." On the former occasion the specific object of his commission to Nineveh was declared; here it is indeterminate. This is to show how freely he yields himself, in the spirit of unconditional obedience, to speak whatever God may please.”
- Jonah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jonah 3:1: 3:1–4:11 God again commands Jonah to preach to Nineveh. This time Jonah obeys, leading to an irony: The city repents, as Jonah had feared, and he is angry at God. 3:1-2 The second part of the book opens as the first part did (see 1:1-2).”
- Jonah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jonah 3:4: a day's journey--not going straight forward without stopping: for the city was but eighteen miles in length; but stopping in his progress from time to time to announce his message to the crowds gathering about him. Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown--The commission, given indefinitely at his setting out, assumes now on his arrival a definite form, and that severer than before. It is no longer a cry against the sins of Nineveh, but an announcement of its ruin in forty days. This number is in Scripture associated often with humiliation. It w”
- Jonah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jonah 1:2: to Nineveh--east of the Tigris, opposite the modern Mosul. The only case of a prophet being sent to the heathen. Jonah, however, is sent to Nineveh, not solely for Nineveh's good, but also to shame Israel, by the fact of a heathen city repenting at the first preaching of a single stranger, Jonah, whereas God's people will not repent, though preached to by their many national prophets, late and early. Nineveh means "the residence of Ninus," that is, Nimrod. , where the translation ought to be, "He (Nimrod) went forth into Assyria and builded Nineveh." Mod”
- Jonah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jonah 3:3: arose and went--like the son who was at first disobedient to the father's command, "Go work in my vineyard," but who afterwards "repented and went" (). Jonah was thus the fittest instrument for proclaiming judgment, and yet hope of mercy on repentance to Nineveh, being himself a living exemplification of both--judgment in his entombment in the fish, mercy on repentance in his deliverance. Israel professing to obey, but not obeying, and so doomed to exile in the same Nineveh, answers to the son who said, "I go, sir, and went not." In it is said that Jonas”
- Jonah (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Jonah 1 (introduction): Mission of Jonah to Nineveh His Flight and Punishment - Jonah 1 Jonah tries to avoid fulfilling the command of God, to preach repentance to the great city Nineveh, by a rapid flight to the sea, for the purpose of sailing to Tarshish (Jon 1:1-3); but a terrible storm, which threatens to destroy the ship, brings his sin to light (Jon 1:4-10); and when the lot singles him out as the culprit, he confesses that he is guilty; and in accordance with the sentence which he pronounces upon himself, is cast into the sea (Jon 1:11-16).”