The Second Time

The Story

God told Jonah to go to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria and one of Israel’s most brutal enemies, and warn the city of coming judgment. Jonah got up and went the opposite direction. He went down to the port of Joppa, paid his fare, and boarded a ship headed for Tarshish, as far from Nineveh as he could get.

God sent a violent storm. The sailors were terrified, each crying out to his own god, while Jonah slept below deck. When they cast lots to find out who was to blame, the lot fell on Jonah. He admitted he was running from God and told them to throw him overboard. They tried to row to shore instead, but finally did as he said, and the sea grew calm.

God had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. For three days and three nights, Jonah sat in its belly, and there, in the dark, he prayed. Then the fish spat him out onto dry land.

And the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, with the same message as before. This time, Jonah went. He preached, and the whole city of Nineveh, from the king down, turned to God.

Reflection