Jonah's story disected

Read Jonah 1:1-3. This text poses a lot of questions. Here's a map I found on the Internet.

So, Tarshish, the ship's destination, was probably in Spain.

Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh because all the people there were sinners and Jonah probably disbelieved what God had said. BIG NO-NO. Always believe and trust God.

Now,to Jonah 1:4-9. 

Bad mistake. Imagine the storm.The First Fleet encountered similar storms on the interestingly named Cape of Good Hope. Similarly, they also chucked a man over board. He was already dead, though.That storm would have been terrible.

To Jonah 1:10-16. Man Over Board!

Now, I wonder about verse 12. Why did Jonah confess? Was it because he knew his mistake now, or was it to save innocent lives? Or was it just his conscience that told him to come clean? It's still a mystery.For more about guilt, see 2 Samuel 12:13-14

Now, to Jonah 1:17 and 2. 

Now, Jonah was in the fish for a while. God then gave Jonah a second chance.

So, Jonah, as you can see in Jonah 3, Jonah took his chance. The lesson is that God will usually be lenient on those who repent to him against their sin. So, Repent now!