(a) Relate the experience of Jonah as he fled from the presence of God to Tarshish. [11 marks]
(b) Give two moral lessons that could be learnt from his flight. [4 marks]
Explanation
(a) Jonah 1 and 2 (1) God called Jonah and sent him to announce His word to the Ninevites. (2) That their wickedness had come up before Him. (3) He fled to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. (4) The rebellious Jonah's flight was cut short by a storm sent by the Lord. (5) The mariners were afraid and each cried to his god. (6) They threw their wares in the ship into the sea to lighten it. (7) Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had laid fast asleep. (8) The captain of the ship challenged him for sleeping and not calling on his god. (9) Lots were cast and the lot fell on Jonah. (10) They questioned Jonah about his identity and he declared it. (11). He was asked what to be done about him. (12) Jonah then requested to be thrown into the sea. (13) God had already appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah and he was there for three days and three nights. (14) Jonah prayed to the Lord from the belly of the fish. (15) The Lord spoke to the fish and it vomitted Jonah upon the dry land.
(b) Two moral lessons learnt from the flight of Jonah: (i) God is omnipresent/not confined to a certain territory/not a localized God. (ii) Man cannot run away from God. (iii) God has a way of making man comply with/do His will. (iv) The heathen sailors acknowledged the God of Jonah as they offered sacrifice when the sea calmed. (v) We cannot deceive God. (vi) The sin of one person can cause hardship for others. (vii) Failure to obey God has disastrous consequences.