God’s sovereignty is on display in Jonah. He has control over weather, fish, plants, worms, and recalcitrant prophets. This theme supports others. Sin is another theme that sits in the background of Jonah. Sin is the problem that needs to be addressed in Nineveh—and in Jonah. Salvation is another major theme of the book. God is determined to save Nineveh, and he delivers Jonah from death in order to bring this about. God’s determination to save highlights that God is both just and merciful. God thus calls on sinners to repent and submit to him. Finally, the mission of Jonah to bring the gospel to Nineveh highlights the mission of spreading the gospel to the Gentiles. While sending out missionaries was the exception, not the rule, in the Old Testament, Exodus 19 and Deuteronomy 4 does indicate that Israel was to concern itself with the salvation of the nations.
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