Chapter 4: Forgiveness for those who seek it
"Why did you let the plant die," Jonah shouted to the heavens, "why didn't you kill the worm? Why didn't you destroy the city? Why, why, WHY!"
"Jonah, listen," God spoke to an upset Jonah, "look at the plant. You cared deeply for that plant because it gave you shade. Did it give you a bill for letting you use it's shade?" Jonah became annoyed. God's humor was starting to get to him. "Now, look at the people of Nineveh," God said, "when you came in they were sinful people, yes. But, when you gave them My Message, they immediately turned away from their sins. They don't know right from wrong so how can I punish them about something they don't even know they're doing. Besides, considering the time it took them to repent~sincerely~they are faster than the Israelites." Jonah was shocked. Then he thought about it. It was true once he remembered that the Israelites were really wishy-washy. A prophet would have to go to Jerusalem five times a month just to get the people to consider repenting. Yet these people just heard one word and they do a 180. In a way, though Jonah hated to admit, the people of Nineveh were more committed to God than the Israelites were. Soon Jonah heard shouts and praises from the city. The people of the city were praising God for forgiving them. Jonah thought about it for a long time. Then he remember his position in the fish. At first he wished he had died in that fish because God didn't destroy the city. Nevertheless, he considered God's statement. Maybe compassion didn't have a specific race. Perhaps mercy was for anyone.
"But your our God," Jonah said after the pause.
"Who created the world?" God asked Jonah, "Who made the animals and insects? Who made the first man and woman? I'm not the God of the Israelites. I'm the God of humans. I AM that I AM." Jonah finally understood. Love was for everyone and anyone. Jonah began to walk to the city a new person. He now understood that mercy and compassion was for all people. It was their choice to accept it or not. Now he walked to the city to teach the people of Nineveh about the God of mercy and compassion. He would teach them about God, his God, their God, the God of every human.
The end