It is enjoyable going to see a film with drama, conflict, and a nice resolution that helps us leave the theatre with a sense that our lives are going to work out all right. But if the story of Jonah were put to film, it ends with no such resolution. In fact, it doesn’t really end, and if you read it, you’ll find the last punctuation is a question mark. It is possible that the whole narrative leads to God asking us to be part of the ongoing story, to bring resolution to Jonah in our own interactions with the world around us. God asks, “Should I not have concern?” And it is as if he is asking us if we will have concern and compassion, not only for those we like, but maybe also for those we dislike the most. You can read the surprise twist in Jonah 3 and 4, and ponder why Jonah was so angry with God he wanted to die.
