Was Jonah a coward? He couldn't understand why God would have him preach to the enemy of Israel: an enemy that treated them so badly. That's why Jonah ran away from God. He felt he was running away for a good reason. However, Jonah got a second chance. Going alone to Nineveh was a very brave thing to do. It demonstrates to men and women in leadership that you can trust God's direction and it doesn't have to make sense to you and God is very patient.