Using the above definition of success, then Jonah had definitely achieved it! The goal was specific --- warn the people of Nineveh that unless they repented of their sin, disaster would befall
them. They certainly listened and obeyed! From the king down to the lowliest of his subjects, they all turned from their sin. Jonah was wildly successful, even if only for that generation of Assyrians in their capital. Every other prophet certainly hoped for that kind of success of their mission.
But, Jonah didn't look at it as success at
all! He was hoping that they'd be as stubborn as the Jews! He was hoping they'd not listen, and then "get what they deserved"! His mission was wildly successful, but it gave him no personal fulfilment at all. In fact, he was so successful that he wanted to die!
Jeremiah could only dream of that..... and weep!
continued....
