Essay on Jonah A False Prophet or a Prophet with a False...

Jonah: A False Prophet or a Prophet with a False God? The Jonah narrative is a story often told to children to emphasize that it is wrong to run from God and there is no way to escape from God. However as adults we see that there is more to the story. There are many ways to interpret the Jonah narrative and the character of Jonah. Readers may even read the story with an anti-Semitic view if they judge solely from their first impressions of Jonah. We see a man who flees, a man who is angry with God, and a man who pouts under a bush and wishes to die. From all this we may conclude that Jonah is selfish. If we read beyond the surface impression and pay careful attention to the narrative and Jonahs words and not just deeds, we see a more†¦show more content†¦The story is used to show that God does care about other nations of the world and that the Israelites are too selfish to share their God. This point does not have much valid support. Why would the Jews choose to hold on to a story and place it in the Bible when it makes them lo ok bad? Why would they keep it if it portrayed them as having such hatred and ultra nationalistic views? The true character of Jonah does not support such extreme nationalism as a cause for his anger. If in fact he wanted Nineveh to be destroyed, Jonah would never have gone to Nineveh at all. The act of traveling to the great city of Nineveh, walking through it for days, and preaching to the people shows Jonahs loyalty to God and his compassion for others. Throughout the narrative and during all the trials that he faces, Jonahs faith remains strong. While he is fleeing from God on the boat from Joppa to Tarshish, a storm rises up upon the sea. The sailors are scared for their lives, yet Jonah has no fear. He is so calm and relaxed that he is found sleeping by the captain of the boat. Jonah knows that he is the reason for the storm and the lots the sailors cast prove the blame is on him. Jonah proves the expanse of his faith by asking the sailors to Pick [him] up and throw [him] into the sea (Jonah 1:12). He is willing to risk his own life to save the other innocentShow MoreRelatedSummary Of Build An Ark 1203 Words   |  5 Pagespromised Noah that he and his family would not be destroyed with the evil people. â€Å"Build an Ark† God told Noah. â€Å"When he finished you and your sons and your wife and your son’s wives will go into the Ark,† God added. â€Å"You will live there until the flood is over.† God told him to bring one male and female of every kind of animal into the Ark and enough food for all the people and the animals. It is believed that Noah had Granddaughters. But if so then why did they not go into the Ark. From what IRead MoreIdolatry and Social Injustice and Religious Ritualism, Oh My875 Words   |  4 PagesThe Lord called prophets to speak for Him to the people regarding their sinful behavior. 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