CONFLICT BETWEEN JUSTICE AND MERCY: A STUDY OF THE BIBLICAL BOOK OF JONAH

Abstract

The Book of Jonah reflects two opposing Schools of thought within Jewry in the Post-exilic period: the Particularists and the Universalists. While the Particularists sought to cut themselves off from other nations, the Universalists favoured openness towards other nations. The Book is a criticism of the narrow-minded Jew, who locked in their nationalism, believed that Yahweh was the God of the Jews only. This truth is presented in a brilliantly satirized manner. The author sets forth Jonah, the chief character of the Book, as the type of the narrow-minded, exclusive Jew, who not only despises all non-Jews, but conceives of Yahweh as the God of the Jews only, and as a God who has no care for the rest of his creation. The Book is a bold declaration that God is the God of all peoples. God’s mercy applies not only to the Jews but also to other nations.