God's messenger was often a dangerous job and most prophets say yes to God's commands but one was reluctant and he was Jonah.
One day, God told Jonah to go to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. Which was the home of the enemies of God's People.
Then God said "Tell the Assyrians their land will be destroyed after forty days, due to the wicked things they have done- they must stop."
"I am going to look stupid" Jonah thought. "God is loving and forgiving he won't destroy Nineveh."
So Jonah went to Joppa instead and boarded a boat to Spain. God was angry for Jonah not doing what He asked. So he created a huge storm.
"Pray to your gods," the crew shouted.
Meanwhile, Jonah was fast asleep below deck. The storm worsened and Jonah told the captain to throw him because he was the cause of the storm. as the storm got worst the captain had no choice but to throw Jonah off. The sea instantly calmed.
God heard his cries and sent an enormous fish, that swallowed him alive.
Jonah was inside the belly of the huge fish for 3 days. God listened to Jonah and, when he was sure that Jonah was truly sorry he made the fish throw Jonah up onto a beach.
Once again, God told Jonah to take his message to Nineveh. Jonah rushed off at once.
The people of Nineveh listened to Jonah and immediately changed how they lived.
This is exactly what I said you would do!" Jonah complained to God. "So now, let me die." He sat outside the city, in the Scorching sun. But, God made a plant grow to shade Jonah. The next day the plant died. " I'm sorry that the plant has gone. I was glad of it," said Jonah.
You did not make that plant grow, but you are sorry for it," said God. "Just think how I feel about the people of Nineveh- the innocent children, the animals - I gave them all life."
