In this series-opening teaching, we see that Jonah receives a clear command from God to go preach to Nineveh, but because he despises the Assyrians, he runs the opposite direction. His attempt to flee “from the presence of the LORD” leads him onto a ship and God hurls a violent storm that terrifies the sailors while Jonah sleeps below deck. Jonah admits to them that he is running from the God, so they reluctantly throw him overboard, immediately calming the storm. God then appoints a great fish to swallow Jonah, showing His patience and grace toward a runaway prophet whom He intends to restore.