May 17, 2026, 10:30am, The Pursuit of God - Jonah 1

Today we start a new sermon series on the book of Jonah. Jonah first appears in 2 Kings 

14:25 as a prophet from Gath-hepher in the territory of Zebulun in northern Israel. He was 

active around the first half of the eighth century BC. Jonah predicted the restoration of the 

northern kingdom’s boundaries. This occurred during the reign of Jeroboam II. God sent 

Jonah to deliver a message to the city of Nineveh. Nineveh was a major city of the 

Assyrians, a cruel and warlike people who were longtime enemies of Israel. Assyrian 

artwork emphasizes war, including scenes of execution, impalement, flaying the skin o4 

prisoners, and beheadings. This could explain Jonah’s reluctance to go there. In chapter 1 

we see the trouble that Jonah got into when he tried to run from God’s calling. It is a 

warning to readers that running from God is futile and only invites unnecessary hardship.

Jonah 1 also describes God’s pursuit of Jonah to be part of His work. The book of Jonah 

shows God’s gracious concern for the whole world, His power over nature, and the futility 

of running from Him.