Archetypal Character Essay
Biblical Character:
Jonah
Jonah was a prophet of God from approximately 793 to 753 BC and he was
sent to the city, Nineveh, to preach to the people about the ways of God. God told
Jonah to tell the people of Nineveh that they will face judgment if they do not
repent. Jonah looked at the task as being too hard once the people of the city began
to mock and ignore his message. He looked for a way to escape and thought he
could avoid God by taking a ship far away. God was disappointed in Jonah and
created a massive storm that made the sailing difficult. Jonah told the sailors that it
was his fault the storm had come and if they threw him overboard the storm would
stop. The men threw Jonah into the sea and instead of drowning; Jonah was
swallowed by a big fish. He spent 3 days and 3 nights in the fish’s belly. He
figured that maybe if he would try harder and be more patient with the people of
Nineveh that he would be able to fulfill his assignment. He asked God for
forgiveness and soon washed up safely on a shore. Jonah went back to Nineveh
where he finally persuaded the townspeople to follow the path of God.
The main idea of this story is to be patient. When given a task, never give
up. If you are patient, surely you will finish your task and have the results that you
want. Giving up will only have an outcome of something bad for example in the
story, a massive storm consumes the sea making the ship unable to sail properly.
This brought conflict and soon enough Jonah had to leave the ship where he was
swallowed by a big fish. Jonah had to learn the hard way but he learned his lesson
and returned to Nineveh very patient and more persuasive than ever.
A huge part of a person’s life could be their job and a basic structure for
supporting themselves. If you get into the habit of running from your problems,
you will never be disciplined enough for a job that might be difficult or something
that you really have to work at.
This idea of patience can occur often in our society today. Patience is
something that humans lack in certain situations. Some examples that occur today
are older siblings should be more patient with their younger siblings; teaching
your brother or sister how to behave or what to do in certain situations could be a
great learning experience in the long run. Another example is when you’re driving
you should be patient with other drivers; it will lead to safer traffic and courteous
driving for everyone. I think school teachers have to be very patient with their
students in order for them to completely learn what is being taught. The story of
Jonah does bring relevance in today’s society.
Poem:
Oh, how we need patience
In our busy world today;
We have so many things to do
There's hardly time to pray.
Our calendars are so filled
That when we need to help a friend,
We find our patience running shortOur schedules just won't bend.
Father, help us to be flexible,
And always follow Your lead,
As we help our friends
In their time of need.
We pray we'd have tender hearts
That truly understand,
Willing to go the extra mile
For our fellowman.
May our priorities always be
What You'd have them to beThe needs of others firstThe things of eternity.
Give us empathy, and patience
That comes only from You,
And help us to be Christ - like
In everything we do.
Analysis:
I chose this poem because it gave some examples of when we use patience
today. It also was connected to God and Jonah was a messenger of Him. It says
“May our priorities always be what you’d have them to be…” I thought that this
related to Jonah because God requested for Jonah to persuade the people of
Nineveh to choose the right path but because Jonah didn’t have patience he didn’t
make it a priority.
Author:
Connie Campbell Bratcher
Website: www.InspirationalPoetry.com
Bibliography for Story of Jonah
Bratcher, Connie C. Inspirational Messages in Poetry. 1 Jan. 27 Dec. 2007
<http://www.inspirationalpoetry.com>.
Conover, Pat. Jonah. 4 Jan. 1998. 27 Dec. 2007
<http://www.seekerschurch.org/sermons/19980104.htm>.
Jonah and the Whale Bible Story. 1 Jan. 2002. 27 Dec. 2007
<http://azaz.essortment.com/jonahwhale_rsug.htm>.
Chapman, Lynne. "Jonah of the Bible." Christian Living Site. 1 Global Fund for
Women. 27 Dec. 2007 <http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art16639.asp>.