“But Jonah ran away from the Lord ...” (1:3). Jonah the “anti-prophet” was called to preach to the great pagan city of Nineveh, but he ran away from God. His presence on a ship caused a terrible storm, and the non-Israelite sailors demonstrated more faith than he did. Jonah was rebelling against God, but they tried to avoid throwing Jonah overboard and “cried out to the Lord” (14). Inside the fish, Jonah confronted his self-made disaster and cried out to the Lord himself (4-7).

“Salvation comes from the Lord” (2:9). Jonah needed the Lord as much as the “pagans” did. We must be convinced of our own need for God’s love and mercy before we can be a true light for others.