Story in the Spotlight:

Jonah

By Camille Walls

Chapter 1 Summary

God commanded Jonah to go to Nineveh and speak to the people about the wickedness they were

committing. Instead of obeying God, Jonah got on a ship and tried to run away. God was upset with

Jonah because he was disobedient. As a punishment God sent a storm that caused the sea to roar and

the ship began to violently rock. Jonah was asleep in the bottom of the ship when the shipmaster

came to wake him up. The men on the boat casted lots and the lot fell on Jonah. Jonah told the men

to cast him into the sea. Jonah was then swallowed by a special fish prepared by the Lord.

Sea weed

Roaring sea

Chapter 2 Summary

While in the belly of the fish, Jonah started to pray to the Lord. Jonah was afraid and sorrowful for his

disobedience. Jonah described the fish belly as a dark and scary place. I think Jonah was unsure as to

what was going to happen. I believe that Jonah knew only God could help him out of this situation.

God heard Jonah’s prayers and had mercy on him. God caused the fish to vomit up Jonah.

Chapter 3 Summary

Although God caused the fish to vomit up Jonah, God still required Jonah to go to Nineveh and speak

to the people. When Jonah announced to the people in forty days that Nineveh would be overthrown

because of their sin, the people quickly repented. Everyone from the king to the poor put on sackcloth

and fasted. God showed the people mercy when he saw them turn from their sins.

Chapter 4 Summary

Jonah was upset that God forgave the people of Nineveh. I think that Jonah believed that the people

should be punished for their sins. Jonah went out of the city and made a booth and sat under it in the

shadow as he watched what would become of the city. God made a gourd to be a shadow over Jonah’s

head. Jonah was very happy to have this gourd be a shadow over his head. God also prepared a worm

that later entered into the gourd and killed it. In the morning when the sun began to rise, God caused

a strong east wind to come and made the sun beat down upon the head of Jonah. Jonah was so hot

from the sun he wanted to die. Jonah told God he was angry that the worm killed the gourd. God

asked Jonah how he could have pity on the gourd that was not made by him and God not have pity

and mercy on the city of Nineveh and all 120,000 people made by God who didn’t know right from

wrong.

I learned…

I learned that when you disobey God there are consequences. I also learned that when you sin you

should repent and not repeat the sin again and God will have mercy on you.