Originally Posted by armourbearer

I'm more inclined to think Jonah understood only too well; that explains both his reluctance and his anger. In this he characterised Israel's proud particularism. It's hard to be better than the rest when the One you boast in, who supposedly makes you better than the rest, also shows mercy to whom He will show mercy. I also don't think Nineveh understood very well what was happening. They didn't know their right hand from their left, and yet how keenly were they moved to action! Israel and Jonah (asleep in the ship) lazily enjoy the knowledge of the one true God, while Nineveh and the mariners (zealously calling on their gods) are spurred to reflection and reformation at the first sign of destruction. As Dennis McFadden pointed out, Jonah's is a downward movement, and it's not until he reaches the very bottom that he will start to think about his religious duty. In this he is the perfect *sign* which Jesus gave to the adulterous religious generation who would not believe on Him.