Originally Posted by Contra_Mundum

1. God sent his minister with words of severe judgment. Is it not mercy to hear a preacher?

2. God's announcement of wrath comes with a specified warning period. What is this, if not the implied offer of mercy, room for repentance, which the Ninevites were prepared (outwardly) to plead for?

3. Jonah himself stated that his reason for running the other way was that he knew God was a God of mercy, and he wanted Ninevah to "get what was coming to them!" i.e. get what they deserved.

In other words, the whole story revolves around the interplay of God's mercy to the undeserving (even Gentiles!), who do in fact deserve justice, and plenty.

So, the dear professor offers his students precious little of use, and shows almost a complete absence of theological sensitivity. Jesus identified Jonah as a prophet, Mt 12:39, etc. So, either Prof So-and-so is in error, or Jesus is. Take your pick.