Most people know that the book of Jonah in the Bible includes a story about a guy who survives being stuck in the belly of a great sea animal. So it is easy to think "that's what that book is about...so I have no need to read it because I already know what it is about."

Well, it is correct that in the short book of Jonah there is a story about a guy (Jonah, a prophet of God) who is trapped in the belly of a great sea animal for three days and nights. However, the KEY POINT of the book of Jonah is not that story. That is one example of several found in the book that instruct us of the key point of the book, which is God's never ending love for the people He created (all of us humans). Come, let's go see the examples:

• Jonah wouldn't go to Ninevah to warn the people about God's coming judgement because of their disobedience. So he is tossed into the sea because of his disobedience to God. YET GOD SAVES HIM. Jonah chapters 1 and 2 (click here). Key verse: Jonah 2:9 "what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!"
• After Jonah shares the message in Ninevah, the king demands his people pray, fast, and repent. Jonah chapter 3 (click here). Key verse: Jonah 3:10 "When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God RELENTED OF THE DISASTER that He had said He would do to them, and He did not do it."
• After God shows grace to Ninevah, Jonah is upset with God. God proves a point to Jonah that God creates and destroys. And God shows He is a God of mercy and grace over all things. Jonah chapter 4 (click here). Key verses: Jonah 4:1b "for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster." and Jonah 4:11 "And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?"

So you can see in just a couple examples that the key point of the book of Jonah is that God creates and destroys. That God accepts wrongdoers WHEN THEY REPENT and turn to Him. That God desires for all to know Him for who He is. He is a god of love, grace, mercy, patience, and salvation. Amen.