Jonah:
It's more than just a fish story
The word of the Lord came to Jonah, "Stand up and go to Nineveh, and preach my word."
Nineveh was no doubt an ancient city; they were a powerful and wicked people. (Sin was the order of the day). Nineveh was a sinful a wicked city.
Jonah stood up, instead of responding to God's calling he took the opposite direction; and ran away from God. He took a ship heading to Tarsis, "far away from God's presence," he thought.
But God allowed a powerful storm to come up against the ship; the sailors thought the ship was going to break into pieces. While the storm was raging the sailors were scared and called on their own gods.
During the storm Jonah was sleeping in the bottom of the ship. The captain
went to him and said, "Wake Up! And pray to your God; his mercy could
probably save us". Jonah knew he was the cause of their dilemma but
kept quiet. 
The sailors draw lots to discover who was responsible and it felt on Jonah. Then Jonah explained them the cause of the storm. He said, "I'm Hebrew and fear God, who has created Earth and Heaven". Those men feared God strongly and asked him, "Why have you done this"? They knew he was fleeing from God's presence.
Jehovah had arranged a big fish to swallow Jonah, there inside the fish; he stayed for three days and three nights. While Jonah was in the fish, he found God in prayer. Jonah was spit out onto the beach.
Then the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time, "Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh and deliver the message of judgment I have given you". This time Jonah obeyed. And God's message was, " Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!"
The entire city listened and repented of their sins, every man, woman and child began to fast and pray for God's forgiveness. God forgave Nineveh, and it was saved.
Reflections
and thoughts
· God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and filled with unfailing love.
· We seek judgment while God extends grace.
· Obedience is always better than sacrifice.
· In our own way, we are all disobedient before God. We make mistakes and fall short of God's expectations. We judge and condemn others, when we ourselves deserve judgment and condemnation but trough it all, God offers total forgiveness and the healing balm of grace.
May God Bless you!