Jonah part 3 – Does God change His mind?

Today we’re gonna conclude our study of the book of Jonah. In our 1st 2 studies of this minor prophet we saw Jonah (his name means dove), God’s heavenly messenger, refuse to deliver God’s message to the city of Nineveh. God said Go – Jonah said No. God said go East – he went West. God told him to travel over land – & he got in a boat. God commanded him – arise in the name of the Lord & cry out, preach, proclaim, announce. Instead he remained silent, as he fled from the presence of the Lord. Then God sent a storm, to endanger the boat he embarked in. God ensured the pagan lots cast, pointed to the guilt of Jonah. Then God sent a great fish, to swallow the body of Jonah, & over 3 days & nights (prefiguring Jesus grave dwelling), Jonah was transported to God’s appointed location. Then after 3 days, God raised Jonah back to life, & directed the fish to vomit Jonah, onto dry land. That’s where we pick up the story.

Jonah 3 & 4

Jonah 3 & 4 – In this 3rd and final study of Jonah, we see the success of Jonah’s preaching, probably as a consequence of his 3 day fishy holiday. You see, the people of Nineveh worship a fish God, & they probably saw Jonah initially, as an oracle of their fish-god. So they heeded his warning & repented before YHWH. In Chapter 4 we have God dealing with Jonah to soften his heart, using a 1 night wonder weed, a worm & a hot east wind. & we answer the important question – Does God change His mind?