Jonah's manliness

Several writers point out the brevity of the book of Jonah. This however, by no means detracts from its value to the reader. Indeed, short stories can be powerful communicators because of their intense focus on a single idea rather than an unfolding argument or exposition. 

Writing in The Christian Science Journal in January 1925, Anna Friendlich has written a marvellous article about this short book. It is called "The Awakening of Jonah" and may be located on jsh-online at https://journal.christianscience.com/issues/1925/1/42-10/the-awakening-of-jonah or at your local Christian Science Reading Room (if it holds back copies of the Journal). 

The first arresting thought she presents is Jonah's "manliness", which, she suggests, is revealed by the "purifying and molding processes and changes which become operative in thought as the spiritual idea enters and unfolds into manifestation."

An indication of these processes and changes is evident when Jonah not only expresses remorse for his mistake in heading off to Tarshish instead of Nineveh and also honestly admits his error to his shipmates, but he also recognizes that disobedience has disrupted the peace on board and caused such harm. Friendlich comments insightfully: 

"His [Jonah's] words are, "They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy." As Christian Science teaches, we are punished by our sins,--not for them,--since mortal mind shuts itself out from divine Love."

One might feel at this point weighed down, discouraged, disheartened, ashamed. But the story does not end there! 

Our writer explains that while Jonah has already learned some great lessons, the greatest of them all is now to be learned - how to love, despite anger, disappointment, perplexity, weariness, confusion and impatience. He must repent. 

While Friendlich neatly captures the barb and garb of resistance:

How often do mortals resist their spiritual promotions, because so often these promotions come garbed in an unlovely seeming!

she also points out the Jonah, like all of us, has a second chance to get it right - "to work his problem over again". He has everything he needs to learn and apply the lessons learned.

A great article. I recommend it. 

Julie Swannell