Kristina DiBisceglie
Religion 100
Dr. Goodine
In the book of Jonah the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai and said “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me” (Jonah 1:2). Jonah had heard what the Lord said, but decided to ignore his Lords wishes. He ran away from the Lord and sailed aboard a ship to go to Tarshish. The Lord then sent a great wind on the sea, and a very strong storm arose that threaten to sink the ship. All the sailors were afraid and all prayed to there own God to save their lives. Jonah was at the bottom of the ship sleeping and the captain went to awake him to call upon his God to help save the ship. The men wanted to know who was responsible for this horrible storm that had been brought upon them. They had known Jonah was running away from the Lord and that this was one form of punishment to warm Jonah to do what the Lord had asked him to do. The sailors were still frighten and wanted the horrible storm to stop. Jonah had told them to throw him overboard and the sea should calm down. The sailors did as Jonah said and they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him. As Jonah is sinking in the sea a whale swallows him. Jonah sat in the whale’s belly for three days and nights. He spent his time in prayer, thanking God for saving him. He realizes the miracle that God has affected to save him and is truly grateful. Then the Lord tells Jonah again to go to Nineveh and preach repentance. Nineveh is spared and Jonah walks away from the situation mad at God. He builds himself a house outside of town and prays to God that he rather die then live. God explains to Jonah why they should be spared than be punished. Jonah disagrees with God and continues his cries.
In this story Jonah doesn’t do what God asks and is punished for his actions. Jonah avoids God’s request...