Either way, it's an important question to consider. What is the purpose of the Prophet's trip to the nations? Is it to conquer them or to save them? I think there is something here that can be interpreted in two ways. On the one hand, it can be seen as a sign that the prophet is between two honorable things: being a messenger of God and helping others. But on the other hand, this can also be seen as a sign that the prophet was asked to undertake a new and dangerous mission: to spread the word of God among the nations. In the end, this is a question that the prophet Jonah must answer for himself. But it is an interesting question to consider nonetheless.In my opinion, I don't think this approach by God to Jonah was typical. Where was the historical precedent for this kind of communication? But we're talking about a direct communication with God, and yet Jonah didn't really feel reassured. Like Moses, God reasoned with him and gave him Aaron, but Jonah was asked to do something out of the ordinary and wasn't really reassured in how God approached the situation. I believe this is teaching us about how God dealt with this prophet through silence, to the point where Jonah felt like he was dying. Because a prophet was one who longed for a new word from the Lord.God has given me His word as a means of assurance that I am on the right track. I want to hear your voice speaking to me, letting me know what you have for me. I want to hear you clearly say the word of salvation to me. This is the assurance that Moses received from God. I have been in situations where I have lacked certainty about what God wanted me to do, but there is a big difference between struggling with our understanding of what He wants us to do and enjoying the promise of the covenant that gives us assurance in the direction we are going. I guess in a sense we are subject to depression and self-destruction without God giving us direction and assurance or a new word of salvation.I've been drawn in between God's speaking to me and my wanting Him to speak more clearly. But along the way, I've been given assurance in special ways, which helps me to cope with my anxiety. In other words, I'm anxious at times, and then I turn to God through His covenant love, trusting that He will guide me to the event I'm longing for. But between these two events, I'm encouraged to constantly seek God for Him. And so God gives me a little assurance as I look for the event He has directed me to. Here He is testing my faith in a new way.Now, don't say that these verses are different because they are in the Old and New Testaments. I have had this kind of experience so many times that it is foolish to think otherwise. And in fact, the apostle says that the Spirit of God witnesses with our Spirit, always in assurance. And the Spirit does this by giving us a full joy of glory. We see the apostle praying for the church, asking that their eyes might be enlightened so that they might know the love of God in a way that surpasses understanding. Then, through us, we can enjoy the communication of God in getting what we want, as the basis for asking.When we learn how to pray, we gain a deeper understanding of God's promises and how He can help us. We also learn how to constantly petition Him for what we want, and to endure the trials of life while we are submerged under the water of their effects. Prayer can be a powerful tool for obtaining what we want in life, as we learn to constantly plead with God for help. This is illustrated in the story of Moses, who was forced to stay in the desert for 40 years before he was allowed to enter the Promised Land. Similarly, Jacob was wrestling with God before he was able to receive a blessing from Him. Finally, when we are submerged under the water of trials, we learn to persevere.