Jonah and the Great Fish

One of the Bible stories told most often to children is about the Prophet Jonah being swallowed by a huge fish or whale or sea monster, depending on the translation and interpretation of the storyteller. Of course, none of these stories were originally intended for children and the imaginative image of a person being swallowed by a sea creature of generous proportions and then surviving is a side event to the central theme, which is all about compassion and inclusion in regard to our neighbors and enemies. Jonah, the most reluctant of prophetic preachers, is sent by God to Nineveh, the Capitol of the Assyrian Empire, to deliver a sermon to enlighten them and save them from themselves. Jonah, who hates the Assyrians in abundance, does everything he can to escape his commission, but still winds up being deposited on the shores of Nineveh covered in fish vomit and finally preaches to the hated Ninevites, who actually hear his words. The whole city changes its course to the good. The message of loving your neighbor and in fact, your enemy is obvious and made clear to Jonah, who is still grousing at the end. The fish story was essentially a symbol that God was prepared to use any means necessary to show compassion toward the 120 plus thousand people and the animals who lived with them. It's ironic that the fish plot device has inspired centuries of heated debates about the species and physical makeup of the fish and Jonah's methods of survival for three days in stomach acid, when the story's real point is just to love our neighbor. (Digital mural design: Jonah and the Great Fish.)