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A Thematic Analysis Of 'Jonah And The Big Fish'

Decent Essays

Oluchi Amadi
English Bible as Literature
Prof. Sonntag
11-03-2015.
Jonah and the Big Fish Analysis Notably known as the universality of God’s love, the book of Jonah is one of the most captivating short stories and books in the bible. Unlike other historical books that are well- known for their collections of oracles, visions and sermons, The book of Jonah mainly focuses on narrative; much like the stories of Samuel and Elijah, it establishes Jonah’s relationship with God and God’s character and nature. Compared to the other prophets, Jonah is disobedient. After God instructs Jonah to go to Nineveh and tell the people there to resort from their bad ways, Jonah refuses to adhere to God’s command. Rather than listening to God, Jonah …show more content…

To begin with, both the book of Jonah and Ruth notably date back around the late 6th or 5th century BCE. As stated from the teaching notes, both works had an underlying theme that supported sticking to a particular group in order to re-establish the group-post exile. “Ruth’s piety and loyalty are seated in a non-Israelite woman, a Moabites (a tribe that is an enemy of the Jews) and she is ancestress of David. Jonah is sent to minister outside of the Israelites (the only prophet to do this) and cannot accept that God accepts their …show more content…

In numerous points in the story, God refuses to abandon his people, which speaks of his compassion and sympathy. Such example can be seen when Jonah is swallowed by a fish and stays in its belly for three days and three nights. Although he disobeys God, after praying and realizing his mistake, God rescues him from his miseries. He now realizes that God loves everyone, irrespective of their obedience or disobedience. As an article puts it, “He is the God who delivers and forgives those who repent, but requires obedience from His

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