Jonah fled in the opposite direction from God’s clear instructions to “go to Nineveh” (1:2). He foolishly exclaimed in the last chapter, “For I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness, and repentest thee of the evil” (4:2, ASV). Jonah knew that God’s abundant lovingkindness would lead Him to turn (i.e., repent) from doing harm to Nineveh if they turned (i.e., repented) from doing evil. Jonah was right.
When Jonah warned Nineveh of their impending doom, the king issued a decree: “Let them turn every one from his evil way…Who knoweth whether God will not turn and repent” (3:8-9). Verse 10 is the key – “And God saw their works, that they turned” (Jesus said they “repented,” Matt. 12:41) “from their evil way; and God repented of the evil which he said he would do unto them; and he did it not.” Nineveh had an intended course (toward evil) and they turned from it. God had an intended course (toward destruction of Nineveh) and He turned from it. What is God’s intended course with you? Is it destruction? If you turn, so will God!