The book of Jonah contrasts the mercy of God with the deeply ingrained prejudices of his people. Nineveh had long been a wicked barbaric thorn in Israel's side, inflicting terror and cruelty. When God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach a message of judgment, Jonah flatly refused (Jonah 1), because he said in 4:2, "I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God,... who relents from sending calamity." Jonah thinks Nineveh is too wicked for God's grace; Nineveh should be destroyed. In his refusal to yield his prejudice to God's mercy, Jonah runs away from God, suffering the consequences of his rebellion (Jonah 2). Yet God ultimately uses this reluctant prophet to bring the people of Nineveh to repentance, and God forgives them (Jonah 3).

Jonah ends his story with a complaint to God about Nineveh's repentance and God's forgiveness (Jonah 4). This final dialogue exposes Jonah's narrowness of heart. God is quick to remind Jonah that God's compassion and concern extend far beyond what Jonah expects or desires. In fact, no one is beyond God's forgiveness and love. God will deliver all who call out to him, regardless of background, nationality, way of life or ethnic group.

The message of the book of Jonah also clearly demonstrates that running away from God is never a good idea. The God of Jonah and of Nineveh is our God today, and he is a God of second chances (Jonah 3:1). Just as he saved Jonah when he called to God from the stomach of the great fish and Nineveh when they heard Jonah's message of judgment, he offers us today a second, a third, even a fourth opportunity to call on him and be saved.