To grasp the grace of God through the power of faith sounds like to many a retreat, a relaxing of intensity with God. Jonah and all preachers who struggle with the God of mercy and compassion find that the invitation of trust is as a matter of fact an intensification of the human encounter with God. God's mercy reveals to human beings the things over which people have control or not. Their behavior reveals the impact of God's mercy, as Jonah's behavior as well reveals much about his relationship to God.
Faith in God's mercy "calls upon God forcefully!" Forty days is the time, the fullness of time, when God's mercy is available is the intense time of God's dealing with humanity (and animals?) On with the mourning clothes, ending violence and evil behavior. And then, who knows?
