God shows mercy to Jonah and Nineveh (Jonah 1:1-4:11)

The LORD commands Jonah to speak in Nineveh against their wickedness, but Jonah heads in the opposite direction on a ship - God sends a storm to intervene, and Jonah is sent overboard. God then appoints a great fish to swallow Jonah. Jonah prays to the LORD, and the LORD has mercy on him, commanding the fish to return Jonah to dry land. Again the LORD commands Jonah to go and proclaim to the city of Nineveh. This time Jonah does proclaim to the city, and all the people turn from their wicked ways. And so, God has mercy on them, but Jonah is upset. God demonstrates that Jonah has no reason to be angry at God’s generous mercy.