Though, in the prophetic Scriptures, strict chronological sequence is well-nigh impossible, the rise in thought from primitive materialistic and frequently nationalistic attitudes to higher and more spiritual ideals can readily be traced. While many events recorded in Scripture may be difficult to verify in detail, even legends are often considered as containing a nucleus of historical fact. As a rule, there are sufficient references to historical situations and geographical locations in the Biblical stories to establish their basic connection with history. Pursuing the study of those accounts, one may discover and profit by the central message in each case.
When it is seen that the books of Jonah and Daniel, though both are attributed to uncertain publication dates, deal with much earlier periods in history, their introduction at this stage in Hebrew prophecy may well be justified. Each was written with the objective of establishing an awareness of the omnipotence and omnipresence of God and of strengthening faith in Him.
The purpose of the book of Jonah is clearly that of instruction to illustrate the universal love and tenderness of God toward the Gentile (nonJewish) world, and it has often been described as the most Christian book of the Old Testament. One commentator says of it, ". . . the story of Jonah . . . belongs to the finest and highest that the Old Testament writers have produced and . . . reveals the prophetic spirit in the purest and truest way" (The Literature of the Old Testament by Julius A. Bewer, p. 403).
