SUMMARY
God calls Jonah again to deliver a prophetic message to Nineveh, and JonahJonah son of Amittai was a rebellious prophet who fled from the Lord's command, only to be delivered by a big and fish and bring about the repentance of Nineveh. goes to Nineveh. Once he arrives, he delivers a short judgment speech, and the people respond immediately and dramatically. Everyone, including the king and the animals, fast and cover themselves with sackcloth. When God sees their repentance, God chooses not to punish them.
ANALYSIS
By repeating the command of Jonah 1:1-2 in Jonah 3:1-2, the book is divided in half here. In chapter one, Jonah runs away; in chapter three, Jonah obeys.
It is unclear and unstated why the whole city responds to Jonah’s brief message with repentance. The king’s proclamation concerning how the city should respond intriguingly and humorously includes animals.
The result of the city’s actions is God’s relenting from punishment. A similar action occurs in Exodus 32:14 when God decides not to punish the people after the golden calf episode when MosesProphet who led Israel out of Egypt to the Promised Land and received the law at Sinai. intervenes.