The book of Jonah is principally concerned with biographical (Jonah and Yahweh).
1. Jonah’s commission to preach to Nineveh, and his flight and deliverance (Jonah 1:1) “Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah…” (1:1)
2. Jonah’s commission to preach to Nineveh, and his compliance and anger (Jonah 3:1) “Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time…” (3:1)
b. Locate the major units and subunits in the book and identify the major structural relationships operative throughout most of the book.
Major units and subunits in the book
A. Jonah’s flight from the commission and Yahweh’s pursuit
1. Commission (1:1-2)
2. Flight-away from presence of Yahweh (1:3)
3. Yahweh’s pursuit of Jonah, …show more content…
Jonah’s anger over Yahweh’s repenting re. Ninevite destruction
1. Jonah’s first encounter with Yahweh: Jonah’s anger over Yahweh’s preservation of Nineveh (4:1-5)
2. Jonah’s second encounter with Yahweh: Jonah’s anger over Yahweh’s destruction of the plant (4:6-11)
Major structural relationships
Jonah’s witness -> Conversion of mariners
Jonah’s witness -> Repentance of Ninevites
Climax - Continuing problem re. Jonah’s attitude
2.b. Structure - Major relationships (with questions)
A Recurrence of theme of universal lordship and universal concern of Yahweh
Lordship (and concern) over nature (1:4,9,12-15; 2:1,10; 3:9; 4:6-8,10-11)
Lordship (and concern) over humankind (1:2,14- 16; 2:8; 3:5-10; 4:1- 2,11)
(These 2 dimensions explicitly brought together at 4:10-11)
c. Ask a few interpretive questions based on each major structural relationship observed.
1. What, specifically, is involved in this universal lordship and concern of Yahweh, and what is the meaning of each of these major dimensions?
2. Why, according to this story, does Yahweh thus exercise lordship and concern over all creation, including his human creation? Why did the writer wish to present and to emphasize Yahweh’s universal lordship and concern, as he did?
3.