There once was a man named Jonah, son of Amittai, who received a call from Jehovah, the Almighty God. The God of all creation commanded Jonah to go to Nineveh, a vastly sinful city, and preach against its wicked ways, for their offending deeds had reached His divine attention.
However, instead of heeding God’s direction, Jonah decided to escape His presence. He went to Joppa and boarded a ship bound for Tarshish. Paying his fare, Jonah retreated to the darkest corners in the innermost parts of the ship, hoping to go unnoticed and escape Jehovah’s command.
God, however, would not be so easily avoided. He sent a ferocious wind whipping across the sea, turning the calm waters into a raging tempest. The mighty storm beat hard against the ship, threatening to shatter the vessel and its crew. Fear gripped the mariners, prompting them to call out to their respective gods while tossing their precious cargo overboard in frantic attempts to lighten the ship.
In contrast to the crew’s panic, Jonah was deep asleep. The shipmaster, puzzled and resentful of Jonah’s aloofness, woke him, urging him to pray for their salvation. But the storm didn’t cease. Dissension swirled among the crew, suspicion of Jonah’s guilt growing moment by moment. They cast lots to uncover the source of their misery, and the lot fell on Jonah.
Cornered, Jonah confessed his identity as a Hebrew and his attempt to flee from Jehovah, who had command over the very sea they now feared. The crew, terrified by Jonah’s revelation and the increasing tempest, asked him for a solution. Jonah, accepting his responsibility, instructed them to throw him into the sea to calm the storm.
The men tried to row back to land, ignoring Jonah’s drastic solution. But the tempest refused to let up, forcing them to reluctantly agree. In their desperation, they cried out to Jehovah, pleading innocence and asking Him to spare them from the dire consequences of Jonah’s disobedience.
Resigned to their fate, they lifted Jonah and threw him into the sea. The raging waters suddenly stilled, leaving the men in awe. Overwhelmed, they offered sacrifices and made vows to Jehovah, understanding His immense power.
As for Jonah, his encounter with God was far from over. Jehovah prepared a giant fish, which swallowed Jonah whole. Jonah spent three days and three nights inside the belly of the fish, a clear reminder that no one can flee from the presence and command of Jehovah.
