Jonah

God commands Jonah to go to Nineveh, the great Assyrian capital, and preach against its wickedness. Nineveh was the heart of Israel's greatest enemy.

Instead of obeying, Jonah flees in the opposite direction. He boards a ship at Joppa bound for Tarshish, attempting to escape from the presence of the Lord.

God sends a violent storm that threatens to destroy the ship. The terrified sailors cast lots to find who is responsible; the lot falls on Jonah. He confesses he is fleeing from God.

At Jonah's own suggestion, the sailors reluctantly throw him overboard. Immediately the storm ceases. The sailors offer sacrifices to the Lord and make vows.

God appoints a great fish to swallow Jonah. For three days and three nights, Jonah is in the belly of the fish. There he prays a psalm of thanksgiving and repentance.

God commands the fish, and it vomits Jonah onto dry land. He is given a second chance to fulfill his mission.

Jonah goes to Nineveh, a city so vast it takes three days to cross. He proclaims: 'Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.' The entire city repents in sackcloth and ashes.

When God sees their repentance, He relents from the disaster He had planned. The city of over 120,000 people is spared.

Jonah is furious that God spared Nineveh. He confesses this is exactly why he fled initially: he knew God was gracious and compassionate. He asks to die rather than see his enemies saved.

God provides a plant to shade Jonah, then sends a worm to destroy it. When Jonah mourns the plant, God asks: 'Should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, with its 120,000 people?'