Whenever we come to think that someone is beyond Gods love, or they have committed acts so vile as to be forever separated from God, then it is time for us to return to the book of Jonah. Jonah repented while in the belly of a fish; God heard his voice and saved him. "Lest we forget lest we forget!". This is both an indictment of Jonah and all who treat Gods grace as proprietary, and a challenge to begin to see the world through the eyes of God who created it. For, Jonah, this is unthinkable and so, HE FLED! Israel on the other hand, was in a "silver age.". Don't just take the Ninevites words for it; listen to the Apostle Paul: "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hathenabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. The fast was so great that even animals fasted and cried out to God! What can we learn from the Ninevites repentance? but how about the Lords mention of His concern about the cattle? Rich and poor, strong and weak, young and old were all caught up in the same repentant spirit. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. In the same way that God's mercy to Nineveh was "exceedingly evil" (it was evil, a great evil), so God's mercy to Jonah is "exceedingly joyous" (Jonah was joyous, a great joy). It swallowed Jonah, but that didn't kill him. The Lord controlled the elements of weather (Jon. Jonah had never done a thing to take care of that plant. For You cast me into the deep,Into the heart of the seas,And the floods surrounded me;All Your billows and Your waves passed over me. Jonah admits that he worships the God of heaven and earth and that right now, he is fleeing from God's direct command. (b)What did the king of Nineveh do in response to Jonahs proclamation? The Prodigal Prophet: Jonah and the Mystery of Gods Mercy. The mans spirits plummeted, and again he asked God that he might die.Jonah 4:6-8. When God told Jonah what he would say in Nineveh, Jonah rejected the call. My honest opinion of why he did that was in hopes that he could escape from Gods presence. One of those is the way the historical account is conceived and recorded. Or a friend? In his mind, they deserve nothing but death. And he said: I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction,and He answered me. So, I hope my Bible study on Jonah encourages you to take a second look at Jonah. God can simply choose to find another Prophet to do the job. Three days later, Jonah was vomited out alive onto a beach, an awed and more compliant man.Jonah, chaps. Jesus knew what he was talking about, for he had been alive in heaven to witness those events as they unfolded. I love looking for signs so i looked at the paper. Now, here was Jonah, a man who perfectly knew who the Ninevites were. BIBLEARENA.ORG presents the sacred teachings of the Bible to enhance spiritual growth. Horsemen charge with bright sword and glittering spear. When the ship is threatened, he tells them to throw him over, willing to give his life to do what he thinks is best for Israel. 15. (a)What did Jonah do after leaving Nineveh? Because God has shown us mercy, wouldnt He also show mercy to those people outside our Christian faith? Even in our failures, God can use it for good! Prophet Jonah disobeyed God and attempted to escape, but God caught him red-handedly. He ordered that all wear sackcloth, even the domestic animals. Learning to show mercy is often difficult for imperfect humans. His words spread like wildfire. What quality had Jehovah shown toward Jonah, yet what question arises? That is exactly what happened later on.Zeph. 1. YAHWEH has called us to do a job of preparing ourselves to meet Him and at the same time, preach the Gospel to all humanity. To top it off Nineveh is 800 miles away. The Beginning of the story of Jonah brings us the first lesson about missionary service: 1.There are no easy calls. Jonah was doing the bare minimum. Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?'" What sign is God giving me to trust in him? However, as the story unfolds we can see how the Lord draws him from fear . God told Jonah to go preach a message of repentance to the people of Ninevah. The commandment to Jonah was to "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me" (Jonah 1:2). What's wrong with the House of Bishops' proposed same-sex prayers? A bad storm happens and Jonah actually has the courage to let everyone know its his fault because hes running away from God. Notice, Nineveh is northeast of Israel and Tarshish is in the west. The book of Jonah begins with these words: "Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Ammittai, saying, arise, go to Nineveh, that great city and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.". He does all this to get Jonah to Nineveh. News of this popular movement soon reached the ears of the king. Bible stories and audio Bible listening also come in handy! Here is part of the prayer in Jonah 2. So, you know for Jonah it would be a BIG deal to travel to Nineveh. Thank you for having available online. 5) He is thrown into the water. This is something we all need to be careful of, not to let our own wants and desires blind us to what is truly important. God who dearly loves his children also has a special mode of correction for his children. Are we there yet? God have mercy! JONAH would have plenty of time to think. He ran from God not merely because he was afraid of God, but because he really did not want to bring the good news of God's grace to his enemies. He asks the men to hurl him into the sea, which they do, and the storm. God comes to us while we are still sinners, and still, the Lord does not wait for us to clean up our act before He comes into our lives. He is the recipient of the Legion of Merit. There are consequences for sin, but the Lord is always ready to. Nineveh was a major city in Assyria, the world power of both Jonah and Nahum's day. The 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, are likely infants. Teach: The Lord had warned (through Jonah) that if they did not repent, they would be destroyed. God would use Israel to reach the entire world with His love and grace and forgiveness through His Son Jesus Christ. Thats all that was recorded in the preaching of Jonah. How would Jehovah teach this hardheaded man to be merciful? She has the heart to equip the saints by helping them get into the Word of God and fall more in love with Jesus. He built a little shelter and settled in to waitand to watch Nineveh. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. The book bearing his name ends with Jehovahs question hanging therein effect, still echoing. The book of Jonah exactly shows us the unlimited Mercy of God. Jonah meets big fish, big fish eats him, Jonah decides if he gets out of fish alive he'll do what God says, fish throws up, and out comes a very stinky Jonah. Jonah wanted to see Nineveh destroyed. A Second Chance with God, Jonah 3. 16. Not to mention I did an Old Testament survey on him as well. Jonah knew that God was full of grace and mercy, and that was why he was afraid to tell the people of Nineveh. As Jonah said, God is a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm.. Not all of his prophecies are recorded, but one of his major predictions was that the northern kingdom would have peace from its enemies to the North (this was fulfilled later in the reign of Jeroboam II). When God speaks to our heart to do something we should take intitive. I hope these 5 keys have made you hungry to dive more into Gods word. The book of Jonah concludes with a rather enigmatic ending. These past few months I have been doing the Jonah Bible study from Priscilla Shirer with my good friend Ana. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, 'Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water. 10 Reasons God Might Not Be Blessing Your Life, 9 Christians You Don't Want to Sit Beside on Sunday Morning, 6 Truths about Jesus Coming into the World, Inspiring Mother Breaks Down after Earning Golden Buzzer with Celine Dion Hit, 7 Ways Anxiety Dominates the Christian Mind. Since we interpret Scripture by other Scriptures, and since our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ told the book of Jonah as history (Matthew 12:39-41), so must we. We are all sinners who are worthy of death. Jonah 4:8 "And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, [It is] better for me to die than to live." Jonah's Disobedience Exposed ( 1:7-10) Jonah's Punishment and Deliverance (1:11 -- 2:1; 2:10) His Prayer of Thanksgiving ( 2:2-9) Jonah Reluctantly Fulfills His Mission (chs. Will the United States be on the side of Israel in the last war? We pray, OLord, please do not let us perish for this mans life, anddo not charge us with innocent blood; for You, OLord,have done as it pleased You. Jonah 1:14, Then the fun stuff happens Please observe picture below. And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?. However, Bible scholars have noted that a movement of that kind was not out of keeping with the superstitious and volatile nature of people of such cultures in ancient times. Yes, that means precisely what it says: Jonah was preferring death over the advance of Gods grace to Nineveh. For, Jonah, its an insult to Israel. Jonah tried to initially claim that The Lord deserted him, but it was Jonah that had tried to run from God (Where could he escape God anyway?? He was the earliest of the prophets and close behind Elisha in his place in the Old Testament. 4 Jonah did not see Nineveh as Jehovah did. Yet he rebelled, and Nineveh accepted him as a messenger and quickly repented when he got there. Those who hold Jonah as a mythological yarn seek to strengthen their unbelieving position by adding disbelief in a fish swallowing Jonah and, then, spitting the reluctant revivalist onto the shore. Had he learned to speak the Assyrian tongue? Perhaps, even us today, we'd be hesitant to go to somewhere chaotic and full of wickedness to preach the Gospel. But the plant wasn't an act of divine mercy it was part of a divine lesson. One could never feel any sense of accomplishment or ownership, because it is given without cause. We must realize we dont see it all, we dont understand it all. So he goes to Nineveh and calls them to repent or be destroyed. Stay up to date with the latest Christian news! The lesson for us is that God will not convince us of the matters of faith through powerful and Hollywood-like public manifestations of God's greatness. What Does It Mean to Wait on the Lord? Jonah would know that if Nineveh repented, the Lord would not destroy it, and it would remain a threat to Israel. He sent a mighty storm while Jonah's ship was at sea, and the storm endangered the lives of everybody. Why would they do that? After all of this, had Jonah learned to show mercy to others? It rocks my world that Jonah is running away from God and causing a huge storm (ahemmess) actually got people to offer sacrifices and make vows to the Lord. Struck with godly fear, he rose up from his throne, removed his luxurious robes of state, put on the same rough clothing that his people were wearing, and even sat down in the ashes. With his great ones, or nobles, he issued a decree that turned the fast from a spontaneous popular movement into an official action of state. (Ezek. The first gentile revival just took place. God, however, had compassion on the people of Nineveh: "And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their leftand much livestock?" Indeed, the Bible is clear: The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples (Deuteronomy 7:7 NIV). Read More, 3 Important Ways to Pray for Your Future Husband. . All people will one day glorify God - Psalms 86:9. So God performed additional miracles. For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the floods surrounded me;All Your billows and your waves passed over me (Jonah 2:1-3 NKJV). God didn't give up on Jonah. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 1:12-14). What does his familiar and most often considered a childrens story could teach us, adults? I would love to hear from you! Jonah found Nineveh to be a huge city full of wrongdoing. Can you elaborate? But then they did repent. It may be that Jonah made his proclamation in his native Hebrew and used an interpreter to relate it to the Ninevites. In addition to founding three churches, and the call as Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga, Dr. Milton is a retired Army Chaplain (Colonel). When God called Jonah to go and warn the violent and . Yahweh has given Jonah a job that he needs to accomplish. (a)Why might Jonah have found Nineveh intimidating? Even if Jonah obeyed God from the start, it would still have been easier to send an angel or to appear as a pillar of cloud. Jonah went outsidethe city, hoping to witness its condemnation, but Jesus Christ went outside the city to die on a cross to accomplish its salvation. 10,11. The mandate to preach repentance is inexorably linked to the announcement of Gods grace and forgiveness. For built into Jonah's first attempts to get away from God are two results which will inevitably follow whenever anyone tries to disobey Him. Despite the peoples badness, Jehovah cared about them. (John 4:11). What Does it Mean That Jesus Was Gods Begotten Son? God told Jonah to go to Nineveh, but Jonah tried to run away from God. The Prodigal Prophet Jonah And The Mystery Of God Recognizing the showing off ways to get this ebook The Prodigal Prophet Jonah And The Mystery Of God is additionally useful. The scripture reported, So, it shows that the Ninevites are even better than the Israelites at some point! It is important to note that the Northern Kingdom of Israel was at odds with Assyria and Ninevah was a great city in Assyria. The word Lord means someone or something having power, authority, or influence; master or ruler. He and his wife, Mae, reside in Western North Carolina. Before him lay a journey of more than 500miles (800km), an overland trek that would take him about a month, perhaps even longer. So, grab your Bible and let's go on an adventure in God's Word! Finally, after he was spit out by the fish, Jonah found himself in dry land. Jonah; Micah . God begins to have mercy upon us while we are still in willful disobedience; and, like Nineveh, characterized by infamous sin and evil. The book of Jonah is short and a lot of time we can read through it quickly. 2. Help me to obey your instructions. So what are the lessons we can learn from the book of Jonah? Here is a little quick video to watch For more information please keep reading. Post by James Taiwo author ofBook of Prayers|Pinnacle of Compassion|Bible Application Lessons|Success Express Lane|Bible Giants of Faith& others. We read: Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me." Yahweh has given Jonah a job that he needs to accomplish. 10 How did Jehovah react to the Ninevites repentance? Jonah and the Whale Bible Story Study Guide. 6 Then the LORD God provided a vine and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the vine. If I go up to the heavens,you are there;if I make my bedin the depths, you are there.If I rise on the wings of the dawn,if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me,your right handwill hold me fast.If I say, Surely the darkness will hide meand the light become night around me, even the darkness will not be darkto you;the night will shine like the day,for darkness is as light to you. In this sermon, Jerry Gifford deals with how the book of Jonah ends abruptly with a question. Moreover, our life begins to be one hectic sinful storm and . PDF to print for family reading. I hope you learned something new about the story of Jonah. He could have detested and hated these people. Why arent prophets giving us specific signs to watch for? . He wanted to reach Jonahs heart. God caused Jonah to be taken captive by the Assyrians and to fear for his life. Last week we looked at the Jonah 1 & 2 and God's Mercy on a Reluctant Prophet. You have remained in right site to begin getting this info. View joshua.infantado.1s profile on Facebook, View joshuainfantados profile on Twitter, View joshuainfantados profile on LinkedIn, View +JoshuaInfantados profile on Google+, Follow Becoming Christians on WordPress.com. For instance, Jehovah had shown him mercy, saving him from drowning, holding back punishment for his rebellion, and giving him a second chance to carry out this assignment. Though He is now in Nineveh, he was just dragging his feet to preach to the people. Through games, drawing their own comic strip, a DIY Big Gulp of Jonah toy, and a Jonah in a Big Fish puppet, kids learn that God is compassionate and gracious. Jonah is saying in his prayer, that he knows that God will bring Nineveh into that covenantal relationship. How well are we doing our job? At this point we find our first great lessons regarding God's sovereignty. 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