The book of Jonah can easily be broken down into two parts – before the whale (or big fish) and after the whale. The narrative splits the book in half; Jonah fleeing from his mission and then unhappily fulfilling it.
- Jonah flees from his mission (Jonah 1-2)
- Jonah is called and runs away (Jonah 1:1-3)
- The sailors cry out (Jonah 1:4-6)
- Jonah is discovered and admits his wrongdoing (Jonah 1:7-10)
- Jonah is punished (Jonah 1:11-2:1)
- Jonah’s prayer of thanksgiving (Jonah 2:2-9)
- Jonah is delivered (Jonah 2:10)
- Jonah fulfills his mission (Jonah 3-4)
- Jonah is called again and obeys (Jonah 3:1-4)
- The Ninevites repent (Jonah 3:5-9)
- God relents in the destruction of Nineveh (Jonah 3:10)
- Jonah is unhappy with God’s mercy to the Ninevites (Jonah 4)
