Its only 4 short chapters. To begin, he had to choose between the shorter routes and the safer ones and then steadily make his way through valleys and over mountain passes beyond counting. Nahum 3:1-4 gives us an idea of just how wicked the people of Nineveh were: "Woe to the bloody city! PRIVACY POLICY They are the same people who have killed a lot of Israelites. The Bible says that God so loved the world He sent His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). These results are in verse three, that is, one verse before the one that tells of God's special intervention in sending the storm . 7,8. 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). Jonah would not weep over a people who came close to destruction, but "Jesus, the true prophet, did.". There might be more, but thats just what is said here. Im having trouble understanding the story. 16. What can we learn from Jonahs attitude toward the repentance of the Ninevites? Jonah was the prophet who served during the reign of Jeroboam II in the Eighth Century before Christ. Im having trouble understanding the story. Icried out to theLordbecause of my affliction,And He answered me. The Pony Express riders would travel around 75 miles a day, interchanging horses every 5-20 miles. Its easy to be triggered when things dont go the way we plan, but we need to surrender our will to His will. Jonah was a prophet in Israel (the Northern Kingdom, see 2 Kings 14:25). He was hoping God was going to call down fire on everyone. Did not his anger over Nineveh spring from motives that were likewise selfisha prideful desire to save face, to be proved right? In this post, let us take a deeper look at the Book of Jonah and its many lessons it can teach us about Gods mercy and forgiveness and the role we need to play in doing his work. His failure would have resulted in the destruction of Nineveh by the Lord due to their wickedness. Clearly the Lord knew what Jonah would do, and it seems the Lord was prepared to use that to further His own ends. The result, however, was nothing short of amazing. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Instead of punishing Jonah for his disrespect, Jehovah simply asked him one gentle, probing question: Have you rightly become hot with anger? (Jonah 4:4) Did Jonah even answer? Dear God, please make me your obedient child. Jonah's obedience to God, albeit reluctant, brought about great results, results that only God could bring. He had prophesied doom and destruction in the name of the Lord, but due to repentance it wasnt going to happen. Obedience is the key to receivingGods benefits! In the north of modern-day Iraq, next to the city of Mosul, the remains of Nineveh, stand as testimony to the historicity of the story in Jonah. He will rescue them during trouble and provide for their needs. For the official Church websites, please visit churchofjesuschrist.org or comeuntochrist.org. The book of Jonah is often characterized by liberal theologians as a metaphorical story to teach Israel to be more open to others. Nineveh was a Gentile city, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, and had no covenant with God. So, you know for Jonah it would be a BIG deal to travel to Nineveh. 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). Key Verse: I want to complete the work the Lord Jesus has given me.He wants me to give witness to others about the good news of God's grace. Finally, after he was spit out by the fish, Jonah found himself in dry land. Learn More. This blatant rebellion leads Jonah a not so fun boat ride. The mandate to preach repentance is inexorably linked to the announcement of Gods grace and forgiveness. Lesson #2. The record of Jonah ends there, so we dont know what happened to Jonah after that, but we can hope that he learned what the Lord wanted him to learn and that he repented of his attitude and actions. 9) What did God do to teach Jonah a lesson? When we begin to reduce Gods response to human sin as judgment without mercy, then it is time for us to open up the book of Jonah, and invite the Spirit of the Lord to cleanse us of self-interests, smugness, and uncaring attitudes and return to the Lord of love. Biblearena BibleArena - All Rights Reserved| Sitemap. This is why its great to do a Bible study on these types of books in the Bible. Or a friend? Further, we know that such critics are mistaken, for Jesus Christ himself later referred to the repentance of the Ninevites. Then God concluded: For my part, ought I not to feel sorry for Nineveh the great city, in which there exist more than one hundred and twenty thousand men who do not at all know the difference between their right hand and their left, besides many domestic animals?Jonah 4:10,11. i. Jonah's men threw him overboard because they didn't want to be punished for what Jonah had done. 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. Introduction. Jonah runs away because he cannot resolve two contradictions: between the categorization of prophecies that do not come to pass as "false prophecies" (Deuteronomy 18:21-22) and the revocation of the verdict against Nineveh, in response to its repentance; and between the concept of God as unchanging and resolute (see Numbers 23:19) and His . You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you (John 15:16 ESV). These people were extremely cruel towards Israel and caused a lot of problem in the past. Jesus knew what he was talking about, for he had been alive in heaven to witness those events as they unfolded. Some may believe that Jehovah should have prevented a tragedy or that he should have executed swift judgment against the wicked or even that he should have brought an end to this whole world system of things before now. It is important to note that the Northern Kingdom of Israel was at odds with Assyria and Ninevah was a great city in Assyria. Jonah had experienced God's mercy and was given a second chance in his life. Conversely, when there is authentic revival from on high, when people repent and when we receive Gods grace and mercy through Jesus Christ His Son, balance and harmony return to the community. Did he fear being ridiculed or being labeled a false prophet? The lesson that God loves us while we are living in rebellion is of great hope to our nation today. 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. He likely had to skirt the vast Syrian Desert, ford such rivers as the mighty Euphrates, and seek shelter among foreigners in the towns and villages of Syria, Mesopotamia, and Assyria. How had Jonah learned that he could not run away from his assignment? Was it not because Jonah had allowed his thinking to become selfish? Because of Gods unending love, He sent His Son to die for us on our behalf. Jonah couldnt see that and sometimes, we couldnt see that as well. This website is not owned by or affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the Mormon or LDS Church). So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. We could be studying the word of God, but our hearts are not into it. I hope they will fail., Oh why cant my angry boss just be gone., At times, we are so busy in saying that, I hope he gets what he deserves.. Jonah's preaching was quite short, and he probably wasn't enthusiastic when he preached it: "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" God's compassion easily surpasses our love for others. After paying the fare, he. (a)How was Jonah evidently affected by Jehovahs wise instruction about mercy? Obedience is the key to receivingGods benefits! Jonah 3 & 4. Jonah's ordeal inside the belly of the whale certainly evokes Christ's death and resurrection over the same time period. The scripture reported, She has spoken in churches in California, Oregon, Texas, and Mexico and has been featured in Guidepost Magazine and All Recipes Magazine. Sep 5, 2014 | AAAA AskGramps Website, Bible | 3 comments. Moreover, our life begins to be one hectic sinful storm and . 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). Would you like to read this article in %%? I am so grateful for technology. The book bearing his name ends with Jehovahs question hanging therein effect, still echoing. 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.. Or lets be really honest when we think of Jonah we just think about the whale (or Big Fish). When Jonah adds that to his list of complaints the Lord uses it as a teaching moment. Could you please help to understand what lesson the Lord wanted to teach Jonah about the Gourd and the Worm? Because more than anything else, He also wanted to help Jonah see his faults, repent of his selfishness, and change his ways. Instead, the Lord saved him. In what ways would you like to imitate the faith of Jonah when you receive corrective counsel? 5) He is thrown into the water. Liberal scholars might dismiss the story of Jonahs prayer time in a fish belly as riotous rabbinical storytelling, but Jonah would surely protest. Critics have expressed what doubt regarding the Ninevites, but how do we know that the critics are mistaken? Who of us is immune to such selfish tendencies? Based on what happened to Jonah's life, we can simply conclude that there's no point in trying to run away from God, from running away from His purposes, and in trying to achieve our own will and not His. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Had he learned to speak the Assyrian tongue? GOD TAUGHT JONAH THE LESSON OF OBEDIENCE Jonah. Rich and poor, strong and weak, young and old were all caught up in the same repentant spirit. Jonah, that prophet that tried to run away from God, continues to bring us lessons on obedience, running away from God's commands, a hatred that stops one from sharing the Gospel, and many more. The story of Jonah demonstrates how Almighty God has sovereign control over every creature on earth. To put the matter in plain words, Jonah did not like grace because it was charity. The book of Jonah concludes with a rather enigmatic ending. They are the archenemy of the nation of Israel. You have remained in right site to begin getting this info. JONAH would have plenty of time to think. 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 was a prophet and the Lord told Him to go and preach against Nineveh, which was the capital of the Assyrian empire. They abstained from food. Use this lesson to lead kids to respond to God's compassion and . (a)What object lesson did Jehovah teach Jonah? Instead, something remarkable happened. Where can I fleefrom your presence? In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. . We learned here that both Socratic teaching and rabbinical teaching (by asking questions) was used by God long before educators ever thought about such things. Its not always easy or fun, but at the end of it, there is a beautiful reward. 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. Hi, welcome to my little piece of cyberspace! People listened! Notice, out of the four chapters of Jonah, the words of his preaching was only one sentence. ). (Read Jonah 3:1-3.) Had Jonah gone to Nineveh just as an enemy Israelite, he would have most likely been ignored, maybe even killed. Jonah then goes to Ninvaha, tells them to repent and the whole city believes Jonah and repents. We do not know. It may be that Jonah made his proclamation in his native Hebrew and used an interpreter to relate it to the Ninevites. In chapter 4 of Jonah, we see a man who is angry, because God decided to have mercy. 9 Some critics express doubt that such a change of heart could have occurred so quickly among the Ninevites. Confinement, Communion, and Confession, Jonah 2. The book of Jonah is a short narrative book about a prophet who doesn't really act like a prophet of God at all. These are only 5 thingsthere are more! Was the restriction of unclean foods in the Bible a commandment. 22. When we accept Jesus and our Lord and Savior, then we need t to not just talk the talk but actually walk the walk. (see Jonah 3:4) Such a preaching could sound pretty condemning and scary, and it is: it's a message of judgment. Before him lay a journey of more than 500miles (800km), an overland trek that would take him about a month, perhaps even longer. The next day he sent in a worm which destroyed the gourd leaving Jonah open to the elements. Horsemen charge with bright sword and glittering spear. You see, evidence indicates that Jonah wrote the book bearing his name. He mentions one in particular: Far-called, our navies melt away;On dune and headland sinks the fire:Lo, all our pomp of yesterdayIs one with Nineveh and Tyre! Article Images Copyright , 4 Powerful Lessons from the Book of Jonah for Today. On these types of books in the destruction of Nineveh by the,... Their needs found himself in dry land such critics are mistaken it would be a deal... But at the end of it, there is a beautiful reward liberal theologians as a teaching.... 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