Nineveh was a large and powerful city, but the people did not know God. Because of this, they did not know how to love or respect one another. They were angry and unkind. They hurt each other. No one felt safe.
God saw their sadness and fighting, and He wanted to stop it. That is why He called a man named Jonah.
God told Jonah, “Go to the great city of Nineveh. Tell the people about Me so they can know Me and make good choices. If they do not change their hearts, their whole city will be ruined.”
Jonah did not want to tell them. He hated them and wanted God to punish them. He got on a ship to go as far from the city as he could.
God saw the hate in Jonah's heart. Yet, He loved Jonah as much as He loved the people of the city.
So, God sent a big storm. The wind was strong, and the waves were huge. The ship was going to sink! Jonah knew God sent the storm because he was running away. He said, “Throw me into the water and the storm will stop.”
The crew did not want to throw him into the water, but Jonah made them believe it was the only way. When they threw him in, the big winds stopped.
Jonah sank deeper and deeper into the water. He knew he was going to drown, but God sent a big fish to swallow him. Jonah sat in the belly of the fish for three days. He thought about how he had made God sad. All the while, the big fish swam straight toward Nineveh! Then the big fish spat Jonah out onto the beach. Jonah was now ready to share God's message.
The people of Nineveh believed the message. They turned to God and the city was saved. They were kinder and happier when they said yes to God.
Sometimes we are like the people of Nineveh. Sometimes we are like Jonah. Whether we serve God or not, He loves us. But He knows we can only be happy and kind when we follow Him.
You can read Jonah 1–3 for family worship.
