Jonah & the Whale

Jonah was a prophet. One day God asked Jonah to go to a place called Ninevah and tell the people living there to live with knowing God in their hearts.

But, Jonah did not want to help the people so he ran away and got on a ship sailing across the Mediterranean Sea. Shortly after the boat left shore, there was a very large storm. Jonah was sleeping in the bottom of the boat. The sea got rougher and the storm got larger.

The storm got so large it washed water over the boat and tossed the boat up in the air. The sailors were afraid but Jonah knew what to do. He said, “The sea is very rough because I have not done as I was supposed to. Throw me overboard and you will live.”

But they did not want Jonah to die. “It is the only way,” said Jonah. So, the sailors threw him over the side of the ship.

What was outside the boat? A great big whale. This whale saw Jonah and swallowed him whole. Jonah was in the belly of the whale for three full days and three full nights.

Just think for a second what it would be like to be inside of a fish. There are no windows, and lots of strange things floating around that you can’t see because it is so dark. Jonah probably didn’t know if he would ever see daylight again.

While Jonah was in the whale, he thought about God and what he had done. He knew that he had not been doing his best. He knew that he had to do what was best for himself and the people of Ninevah. He thought about how he had run away. He was grateful that he did not drown.

God forgave Jonah and the whale spit Jonah out onto the land and swam away. Jonah was happy to be out of the dark belly of the whale, but boy, did he need a shower. He was slimy and smelly.

So, Jonah went to the town of Ninevah and told the people that they needed to understand and do the right thing.

Jonah was happy that the people listened to him and they were grateful to God and sorry for the bad things they had done. Everyone knew that God loved them and their city would not be destroyed.

Forgiveness is eternal and ever available. ~ The Science of Mind by Dr. Ernest Holmes, page 457.

Family Activity: Jonah in the Whale

Replace the red puff representing Jonah with a Lego, Goldfish® cracker, or anything else you wish!

About The Golden Thread of Truth: Parents all over the world share parables and stories with their children. The Golden Thread of Truth shares stories from all the world’s religions and teachings to expand respect and understanding.

Find more crafts on our Pinterest site or get the entire monthly program with activities for teens, expanded stories and Q&A from the website.