Jonah lived in Israel at a time of dread from the pending onslaught of the Assyrian army, commanded by its truly wicked leaders in the Assyrian capital. Understandably, when God calls Jonah to go and HELP these people in this wicked capital of Assyria, this Ninevah, Jonah runs away! And so begins the tough lesson Jonah must learn about the priority of mercy over judgment in God's Kingdom--a tough lesson for our time as well.