Book of Book of Jonah Using 5W1H
1. WHO?
• Who is Jonah?
- A Hebrew prophet from Gath-hepher.
- Lived during the reign of Jeroboam II (8th century BC).
- A reluctant messenger chosen by God.
• Who is Nineveh?
- The capital of Assyria.
- A powerful and violent enemy of Israel.
- A Gentile (non-Israelite) city.
• Who is God in the story?
- Sovereign over nature (storm, sea, fish, plant).
- Just in judgment.
- Merciful toward repentant sinners.
- Patient with His servant.
• Who else appears?
- Pagan sailors who fear God.
- The King of Nineveh who humbles himself.
- A great fish appointed by God.
2. WHAT?
• What is the main event?
God sends Jonah to warn Nineveh of coming judgment.
• What does Jonah do?
- Disobeys and flees toward Tarshish.
- Is caught in a storm.
- Thrown into the sea.
- Swallowed by a great fish.
- Prays and is delivered.
- Eventually obeys and preaches in Nineveh.
• What happens in Nineveh?
- Jonah proclaims judgment: “Forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown.”
- The people believe God.
- They fast and wear sackcloth.
- The king calls for repentance.
- God relents from destruction.
• What happens at the end?
- Jonah becomes angry at God’s mercy.
- God teaches him compassion through the lesson of a plant.
- The book ends with God asking Jonah a question about mercy.
3. WHEN?
- Around the 8th century BC.
- During Israel’s political prosperity but spiritual decline.
- Before Assyria would later conquer Israel (722 BC).
This timing highlights that God offered mercy even to a future enemy nation.
4. WHERE?
- Begins in Israel.
- Moves to the Mediterranean Sea during the storm.
- Jonah is inside a great fish.
- Ends in Nineveh, the Assyrian capital.
Spiritually, the story moves:
- From rebellion → to surrender → to repentance → to reflection.
5. WHY?
• Why did God send Jonah?
Because Nineveh’s wickedness had come before Him, and He desired their repentance.
• Why did Jonah run?
He knew God was merciful and feared that God would forgive Israel’s enemy.
• Why did Nineveh repent?
They believed God’s warning and hoped for mercy.
• Why did God relent?
Because He is compassionate and responds to genuine repentance.
6. HOW?
• How did God deal with Jonah?
- Through a storm (discipline).
- Through a fish (preservation).
- Through a second call (grace).
- Through a plant (instruction).
• How did Nineveh repent?
- By believing God.
- Through fasting and sackcloth.
- By turning from violence.
• How does the book teach its lesson?
Through narrative contrast:
- Pagan sailors obey.
- Pagan city repents.
- Prophet resists.
- God remains compassionate.
Core Message of Jonah
The Book of Jonah teaches that:
- God’s mercy extends beyond national and cultural boundaries.
- No one is beyond repentance.
- God is sovereign over nature and nations.
- God desires compassion, not merely obedience.
- Repentance can change the course of judgment.
The book ends with a question about God’s compassion, inviting every reader to examine their own heart.
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