Jonah and Christ

"E. J. Young recognized years ago that the main message of Jonah is focused on Christ:

The fundamental purpose of the book of Jonah is not found in its missionary or universalistic teaching. It is rather to show that Jonah being cast into the depths of Sheol and yet brought up alive is an illustration of the death of the Messiah for sins not his own and of the Messiah's resurrection.

Jonah, first and foremost, plain and simple, has the most important message for the Christian church today: Christ, the risen One who is greater than Jonah, brings salvation through judgment and mercy to his people, those inside and outside of Israel who call on his name. What is foreshadowed and illustrated in Jonah becomes reality in Christ."

Bryan D. Estelle, Salvation Through Judgment and Mercy: The Gospel According to Jonah, p. 2-3