Our HUMAN of the Bible Reflection- Jonah, A Minor Prophet- wrote the book in God’s Word with his namesake, inspired by the Holy Spirit.  

Jonah has a different story than many of the other Prophets in the Bible.  Yet, God has a mercy and compassion for this human that I believe we can all appreciate. 

God instructed him to go to a place called Nineveh. 

Jonah 1:1-2 NIV

The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai:

2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”

Jonah turned away from the presence of God and ran a different direction.  He chose to go to Tarshish rather than Nineveh.  The reasons Jonah chose Tarshish are many.  It was closer than Nineveh, he www prideful and rebellious, but the main reason could be surprising.  Jonah, A Minor Prophet, didn’t just disagree with those in Nineveh- he did not like them.  They were pagans who did not serve God- ignorant of Him and His ways.  This is why God sent Jonah to them.  He wanted Jonah to alert them of His wrath.  

God will have His way be done.  Thus, as Jonah had boarded a ship for Tarshish- God allowed a great storm to arise.  This storm raged until the men became so afraid they began throwing cargo overboard.  When Jonah was discovered in the belly of the boat asleep, the sailors asked how he could sleep through the storm.  They cast lots to see who was responsible for this calamity and it fell to Jonah.  In Jonah 1:12, he told them to throw him overboard.  

Jonah 1:12-15 NIV

12 “Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.”

13 Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. 

14 Then they cried out to the Lord, “Please, Lord, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased.” 

15 Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm.

After being thrown over, the Lord sent a great fish to swallow Jonah where he spent three days.  Jonah repented.  In

Jonah 2:10, God commanded the great fish to spit out Jonah on dry land.  God instructed Jonah again to go to Nineveh and proclaim His message and he obeyed.  

Once there, Jonah declared the warning of God and it arrived before the King.  The King put on sackcloth and ashes.  Then he sent out a decree for all, including animals, to do the same.  This so God would reconsider of this massive order against Nineveh.  

Jonah, in his disgust toward the people of Nineveh, went atop a mountain.  He just knew God would keep His promise to judge them because in his opinion they would not be able to do what God asked of them.  He had disdain and great disrespect toward these humans.  To Jonah’s dismay- they did all God asked.  

God provided a plant to cover Jonah and protect him.  The next morning He allowed it to wither away.  Jonah was concerned with this plant and angry that the Lord had relented not to destroy Nineveh.  

Jonah was taught a lesson from our amazing God.  He had compassion for all humans involved- yes, including our HUMAN of the Bible Reflection, Jonah- A Minor Prophet.  Despite Jonah’s behavior, He took time to have this conversation with him-

Jonah 4:9-11 NIV

9 But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”

“It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.”

10 But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. 

11 And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”

The great mercy and compassion of our amazing God is not only extended to our HUMAN of the Bible Reflection for March- but also to us.  

Friend- should you want to know Jesus as your personal Savior, you need only pray and repent.  Ask the Lord to forgive you and invite Him to be your Savior and Lord.  Please see my Invitation and Prayer page for more details. 

If you need prayer, please complete submit a prayer request form at my Prayer Request page.  I will pray with you!

I can be reached at thumanburgin@gmail.com for questions or feedback.  

Let us consider all the decisions of this month’s HUMAN of the Bible Reflection- Jonah, A Minor Prophet.  None of us are perfect.  We all make mistakes.  Some of our hearts have anger, frustration, or even pride.  It is a temptation to have those feelings and thoughts toward other humans.  BUT GOD …He has so much more for all of us.  I encourage you to read the book of Jonah. It is a small book, but mighty in lessons.  Even more- the character of our God and His heart to the humans He created is revealed in a remarkable way.  

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Be assured that God is for you, dear Reader.  Remember- Jesus loves you so!