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Pasa Graphe' Theopneustos Kai Ophelimos (Greek) is one of the most often-repeated passages from the Scriptures, ie, the Bible. The passage appears in the heading of our Facebook page. But what does it say to us in our various tongues? Well, for those of us who speak English, this passage is a bold testimony from the pen of one Paul, a first-century scholar from the Isrealite tribe of Benjamin. It is also a statement steeped in the thelogy of the Biblical narratives. So, Paul wrote to a young ethnic Jew named Timotheus: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable......"
At the time Paul wrote those words, there was not yet a codex known as the "New Testament." The scrolls of papyrus on which were written the Scriptures are what we call today the "Old Testament." In its immediate and limited interpretation, Paul is saying that the messages in the Old Testament are inspired by God. That being so, who is the man who would say that the record of the flood in Noah's day was simply an allegory, and not an historical account?

Jonah

The book of Jonah is unique among the prophetic books. Other books contain the words of the prophet—his warnings, promises, and judgments. But the book of Jonah is about Jonah himself, not just his message.

God told Jonah to go to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, Israel's bitter enemy. But Jonah didn't want to go. After all, why should the Assyrians accept a message of doom? The Assyrians didn't even believe in the same God. So Jonah disobeyed God and tried to run away.

The rest of Jonah’s story is familiar, even to those who don't know much about the Bible.

Jonah boarded a ship
that ran into a storm
He was then thrown overboard
And swallowed by a big fish
Finally, Jonah was thrown up on the shore

After that, Jonah obeyed God and went to Nineveh, where the people repented and turned to the Lord.

The message of Jonah is encouraging. God's love and mercy are available to all nations. And He would rather forgive than punish.