Vjera u kontekstu Jonine Knjige - Jona 3,5
Faith in the Context of the Book of Jonah – Jonah 3:5

Summary/Abstract: This article about faith in the Book of Jonah should be seen in the context of the Year of the Faith, which was proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI on October 11, 2012 and which lasted until November 24, 2013. Regarding the Book of Jonah, it should be noted that this is not a typical prophetic book, but belongs more to the narrative books of the Bible. There is no call to prophecy and no major prophetic action. The Word of the Lord comes twice to Jonah: the first time he does not respond, trying instead to run away from God and to avoid carrying out His commands. Only on the second occasion does Jonah respond to the call seriously: he goes to Nineveh and preaches to the people of Nineveh. Without challenging Jonah or demanding to know who he is or where he is from, the people believe his words and change their way of living, repenting their evil conduct. The verb aman (hiphil) appears only once in the Book of Jonah, in Jon 3:5, and in the context it may be taken to mean a radical change in the way of life of the people of Nineveh. Thanks to their faith, the Lord spares them from certain disaster. Jonah is not happy with this and he protests; and it seems that he would prefer the people of Nineveh to suffer disaster rather than to be converted. As such, the whole book, which has only 48 verses, can be understood as the story of an intolerant, disobedient prophet who is a Hebrew but whose religious characteristics are inferior to those of the people of Nineveh, who are non-Jews but who repent, at the word of the prophet, and obey the will of God. The Lord is a merciful God who takes care of all peoples and of all living beings.

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