The Book of Jonah, which depicts, the need to obey God's directives in spite of one's reservations, has continued to attract varied views regarding sits genre. Others argue that it is an accurate historical account, work of fiction, an allegory, and even a parable depending on one’s perspectives. The most common view is that the book of Jonah is a parable owing to some of the key happenings that seem surreal only with the intention of educating. Staying in the belly of a big fish for three days and nights and being spit on dry land and the tree that grows in a day look surreal.
An individual who adopts the perspective that the book of Jonah is a parable is not mistaken as there is no definite interpretation of this text. At the end of it, this interpretation ties the Old Testament to the New Testament almost perfectly. The three days and nights that Jonah stayed in the belly of the fish is a precursor to Jesus' death while he being spit out is an indication of Jesus’ resurrection. In a way, one can see that the story of Jonah is indicative of what would transpire in the days to come.
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Nineveh, a city that Jonah had been sent to proclaim the judgment of God is symbolic of the Gentiles. Prior to the coming of Jesus, gentiles had been locked out of the Kingdom of God but here one sees the salvation beg extended to them. The Gentiles just like the Ninevites listened to the truth presented in the gospel ad became part of the kingdom. On the other hand, Jonah would be a representation of the Jews who wished to lockout Gentiles from being part of the Kingdom of God.
Individuals who take the position that Jonah is more of a parable as opposed to a historical account would be seen to try and understand the gospel in a deeper manner. When Jonah is taken as a parable, it provides a deeper insight into the word of God as well as the nature of God. In this regard, God becomes powerful by making a plant to grow to a significant height within a day and wither the same day. An individual who does not follow the will of God hence realizes that it is not possible to defy God and live a peaceful life.
The reason for concluding that it is right to take Jonah as a parable is because of the events that surround the story. The most interesting aspect of the story is how the king of Nineveh called upon people and animals to fast to seek God's forgiveness. Looking at all these happenings one cannot continue to think that the book of Jonah is a historical account but a parable aimed at revealing the deep truths of the gospel.
