He slept in the ships hold. God controls and uses nature to achieve His ends. The challenge of the book of Jonah for unbelievers is to trust God and believe the gospel. After his whale of a ride, a ride in which he must experience the full depths and acidic truth of his sinfulness, Jonah is finally delivered by God right back to the shore of Joppa where it all began. I do not deserve to live.. Then, God prepared() a worm to eat the gourd which killed it (Jonah 4.7). So easily they remain locked in self-deception and rationalizations, ignoring the damage they are inflicting upon others. The other worker, with whom he made no contract (whatever was right), received pay according to the landowners heart. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. c. Proclamation was one of Judgment. The sailors wanted to return to land butJonah didnt.5. Jesus, declared, for just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth (Matthew 12.40). A gigantic storm was raging. If you wont do it for your own sake, then do it for oursbut call on the Lord! To defy means to resist what one is told to do, openly and boldly. Both messages resonate on Yom Kippur: repentance is staggeringly hard but Gods mercy is generous and swift. Hi John just a few verses about the heart of the earth. Tell us, they said, what is your business? He belonged to the tribe of Zebulon and ministered during the reign of King Jeroboam II (c.786746 BC). 'sch. God pursues each of us to restore our broken relationship with Him (Genesis 3.8-10). So much suffering, so much expense, so much extra mileage could be avoided if we just obeyed God. In the belly of the fish, Jonah finally descends as far as possible and hits (literal) rock bottom the bottom of the sea. I learned a lot. Like Jonah, though, many line up to pay the price and take the long, painful journey deeper into defiance and sin. The mariners () salts were seasoned sailors. The text reads they feared the Lord greatly, offered a sacrifice to the Lord, and made vows (Jonah 1.16). Those who are morally alert do not say such things; those who are in the darkness of delirium, in a moral slumber, say them. Am I correct in my understanding that Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh because he was a good law keeping Jew because Jews had no dealings with gentiles? He did not want the city to be spared, because he knew that the Assyrians would eventually conquer Israel. God demonstrated His ultimate mercy and grace in sending His Son to die for our sins and rising from the dead so we might have life and enjoy His fellowship forever. As our defiance deepens, the headwinds become ever stronger and the destructive forces ever more powerful. This is futility. These would be paid whatever was right. At noon and 3 p.m. he did the same thing. And then theres Jonah, the prophet of God, who is supposed to be an exemplary person, yet finds repentance nearly impossible. I knew You would find a way to spare and bless these pagans. wrote Ninevehwas about sixty miles in circumference and twenty miles across. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. They question Jonah more closely and though Jonahs responses are minimal and cagey, eventually the sailors are able to pull from him the whole story of how he has run away from a divine directive. John, Thank you. Jesus referencedJonah as a prophecy and type of His resurrection. Nineveh survived for another 150 years after it heeded Jonahs message. The angel of the Lord killed his expeditionary force of 185,000 soldiers (2 Kings 19.32-6; Isaiah 37.36-37). God was gracious and Jonah peevish. Jonah became angry. Thanks again for providing greater understanding to this book With appreciation, John. The repeated testimony of the Scriptures is that God delights in mercy (Psalm 86.15, 145.8; Jeremiah 33.26; Ezekiel 39.25). The phrase, or like expression, the word of the LORD came governs the books structure and occurs twice (Jonah 1.1, 3.1). The teaching is clear: persistent and unrepentant sin brings storms, disturbances, and troubles. They were saved. Deor.,' 3:37). He was not helping to lighten the ship or praying for deliverance: a total slacker. Often the last one to know or admit the damage he does is the sinner himself. Jonah would rather die than go to Nineveh. : Od. When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. Jonah, sent to Nineveh, flees to Tarshish. The centralandmost important piece of furniture in its design was the ark of the covenant. Does he change his mind? My Jewish Learning is a not-for-profit and relies on your help. Jonah provides instructive lessons. Not so, Jonah. At the end of the day, 6 p.m., his foreman paid each man a denarius. I wonder if (and hope that) the young people who sang it understood its significance for them, too. Jonahs experience in the sea-beast, this living submarine, must have been terrifying. God does the unexpected. A tough case. When they did this, the lots identified Jonah as the culprit. In Jonahs day, they were Israels great enemy. He said to them, Pick me up and throw me into the sea. Now he had gone down into the sea monster to the depths of death (Jonah 2.6). The kingship was weak and the provinces maintained a large degree of independence. Students of rhetoric can find no better example of the art than this literary gem. Jonah had wanted to die rather than face his mistakes and complete his mission, but God wont permit it. One of the greatest prophets during the time of Jeroboam II was Jonah the son of Amitai, who, as a prophet disciple, had anointed Jehu and who, therefore, enjoyed the king's benevolence. Surprisingly, the men are not willing to kill him. He said, While I was fainting away,I remembered the LORD, and my prayer came to You, into Your holy temple (Jonah 2.7). Perhaps God will be mindful of us so that we may not perish. Then they said to one another, Come, let us cast lots to find out on whose account we have met with this misfortune. So they cast lots, and thus singled out Jonah. What is important is they believed God. Whether he did or not does not affect the Lords statement of his own death. Background Note that he also puts down good money in order to flee. In Jonahs responses, he encountered non-Jews: the sailors and the captain and the Ninevites and their king. He falls asleep, and then is thrown down into the sea. Suggestions for Teaching Be attentive to students' behavior and respond appropriately He could feel seaweed wrapping around his head as the waves swept over him. Jonah had gone down () to Joppa (Jonah 1.3), down to the ship (Jonah 1.3), down to the hold (Jonah 1.5). Scripture indicates that these people were really dead, and came back to life, though, unlike Christ, all of them faced physical death again in the future. All Your breakers and billows passed over me. - we left Jonah last week in quite a pickle.. - He was a prophet of Israel.and God had told him "arise, and go to Ninevah, that great city, and cry against it, because their wickedness had come up before the Lord." - well, Jonah didn't like that idea because Ninevah was in Assyria..and the Assyrians were enemies of Israel. God heard his prayer and delivered him. The virtue of obedience is it allows one to enjoy God, to celebrate His work. The Lord was the first to be resurrected. Its another classic example of archaeology confirming the Biblical record. There is abortion, disease, teenage pregnancy, children with no fathers, and all the grief and pain that come from broken or malformed families. Somehow, they sense His just verdict yet they fear their own judgment and ask for His mercy. So, too, are we when we defiantly indulge sinfulness. Isaiah 2.2-3, 49.6; Zechariah 8.23). Dignity-still the men rowed hard to regain the land, but they could not, for the sea grew ever more turbulent. To his great credit, Jonah told the truth. Meanwhile, the gales grow stronger and civilization continues to crumble. - I had toyed with the idea of concluding this series last week but there are some nagging words at the end of the book that I believe we need to study. The book is divided into two sections: chapters 1 and 3 comprise one section and chapters 2 and 4 the other. We read: 7Each man said to his mate, Come, let us cast lots so we may learn on whose account this calamity has struck us. So they cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah. In chapter 4, Jonah was in Nineveh and in the desert. Chapter 1 ends, And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights (Jonah 1.17).6 This verse fits more appropriately as the beginning of chapter 2 which contains Jonahs prayer to God. jonah has had lots of dti will attend to directions well jonah has had lots of dti will attend to directions well harry hill - man alive best waterpark at wilderness resort deirdre name spelling brandon webb stats kinematic viscosity equation jonah has had lots of dti will attend to directions well emirates a350 order boyfriend loophole bill Now, with a quick divine reminder, the reluctant prophet heads straight for Nineveh and delivers the intended prophecy: Nineveh is wicked and will be destroyed in 40 days. 2 I called out of my distress to the Lord, and He answered me. The belief that temporal calamities are often connected with the . Note that Jonahs defiance also endangers others. Jonah 1:1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.". 2. After his whale of a ride, a ride in which he must experience the full depths and acidic truth of his sinfulness, Jonah is finally delivered by God right back to the shore of Joppa where it all began. This number is reasonable. Ive had so many things on my heart lately, everything going on in this world and my own sorrows, and this was exactly what I needed to lighten the load. When spoken, it brings men to salvation. If we had Jonah's faith, our evangelistic efforts might be multiplied exponentially. Obviously, from their superstitious perspective, some god or gods are angry with somebody, and they are all suffering because of what this person has done. So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. Except Jonah. His eye was evil but God was good. . 7 And they said to one another, "Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come upon us." So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. Jonah is the great story of Gentile salvation in the Old Testament. He had kept the contract they had made with him. The storm was so violent they knew their ship was about to shatter. One does not get far in an English novel of 1,328 words. Ask Jonah. It represented Gods throne, where the Almighty sat, as the Tabernacle represented Gods throne complex. Joshua 7:18 And he brought his household man by man; and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken. He was a hard case, preferring death to life (Jonah 4.3, 1.12). This is why He gave the order of ministry in Acts 1.8. In that event, Jesus had slept through the storm. , Joshua 22:16-20 Thus saith the whole congregation of the LORD, What trespass is this that ye have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the LORD, in that ye have builded you an altar, that ye might rebel this day against the LORD? The gourd was Gods mercy to Jonah. Jonah pouted. In verse 7 the sailors are casting lots, doing divination to try to figure out who the guilty person is. The story of Jonah teaches compassion by not following the prophet's example. Kerry Malakosky, Weatherford, OK I also pastor Liberty Heights Chapel, Lawton, OK. LHC is listed as a Grace Church, How Big Was Nineveh? At Gods behest, Noah builds an ark, Abraham leaves his homeland, Moses returns to Egypt (where he is wanted for murder) to free the Israelite slaves. Worldly sorrow brings death (2 Cor 7:10). Perhapsyour god will be concerned about us so that we will not perish (Jonah 1.6). He tried to kick up to the surface, but no air was foundonly waves and water. So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. In sure you have touched a lot of lives.. Keep doing what youre doing. Where do you come from? But he gives no response, risking the lives of everyone onboard. Many people today talk about victimless sins,actions that supposedly dont hurt anyone. It is a prayer well worth careful study. What a change! Responding to Gods grace begins by believing Pauls gospel of grace (Acts 20.24): that Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15.1-4). The captain and sailors could not comprehend how anyone could sleep through such a storm. 4 The God of heaven was a term known to Gentiles (cf. During that time, which will last seven years (Daniels 70th week, Daniel 9.27), God will pour His wrath upon all mankind for its unbelief and evil (Psalm 2.5, 9). They were threats! But he gives no response, risking the lives of everyone onboard. After having dealt with the entire human race for 2,000 years, God established a new program with Abraham, known as the Abrahamic Covenant. He spends three nights in the belly of the fish and with nowhere left to run, not even death, he finally repents. Defiance also indicates a lack of faith because it comes from the Latin dis (against) and fidere (believe). Thanks so much. Let us cast lots. Do you have any idea how your behavior, your sins, are affecting the rest of us? During this time, God prepared () a gourd to grow and shade Jonah from the sweltering Mideast sun.10 The gourd made him happy (Jonah 4.6). Jonah is now beginning to come to his senses,but not with godly sorrow, more with worldly sorrow. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret. God's Lesson in Compassion. Yes, sin is usually very expensivebut many seem quite willing to pay the price. This familiar expression is found in many books of the Bible, occurring 92x (e.g., Genesis 15.1; 2 Samuel 7.4; 1 Kings 6.11, 16.1, etc.) Everyone from the street sweeper to the king heeded Jonahs warning. But the entire city of Nineveh responded to Jonahs message. Psalm 139 says, beautifully. The sailors repented from following false gods to trusting the one true God. Thanks. V. Dressing Down-The captain came to him and said, What are you doing asleep? His scoffing and defiance likely result from hatred or excessive nationalism. If only we had the faith of Jonah, evangelism might leap forward into warp drive. Lazarus and the rich man both in the place of hell one on paradise side and one on torment side. And this is not to mention all of the Biblical prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and more than a dozen others who immediately act on Gods command. So much suffering, so much expense, so much extra mileage could be avoided if we just obeyed God. Meanwhile, Jonah sleeps in the hold of the ship, oblivious to the clamor and uproar. His scoffing and defiance likely result from hatred or excessive nationalism. iii. God asked why Jonah had so much more . 8But both man and beast must be covered with sackcloth; and let men call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked way and from the violence which is in his hands (Jonah 3.7-8). God does deliver Jonah. b. I would say we can file this in the "God's Will will be done." Jonah 1: NASB 1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai saying, 2 "Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and cry against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me." 3 But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. It is a luscious, heartfelt piece depicting the repentance of the Ninevites. Similarly, in our own culture today a good deal of pain and loss results from the defiant, selfish, and bad behavior of many. I tend to think that the heart of the earth may have a broader meaning. Despite brevity, it is a powerful story of Gods grace to Gentiles and a reflective study into Gods character and mercy. One of our greatest Christian authors, Charles Reade, known for his book, The Cloister and the Hearth, has called Jonah, "The most beautiful story ever written in so small a compass.". 1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. The bottom line (if youll pardon the financial pun) is that sinful choices are usually very costly. Consider their situation. 3 But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. The power of Gods word is revealed by the peoples response. All things are His. Jonahs defiance sends him and others headlong into a storm. 9The message was certainly longer, but this was the central message. Thank you, Lord, for your grace and mercy. In this sovereignly enacted covenant, He declared His blessings to Gentiles would be mediated through a new race of people, the Jews. Verse 7 - Finding the storm still violent, the crew come to the conclusion that it is sent by Heaven in punishment of some crime committed by one on board; and they proceed to cast lots to discover the guilty person. The book of Jonah is short, compassing four brief chapters of 48 verses. The Ninevites repented from wickedness to righteousness. Such objections fall outside the realm of serious scholarship for the Lord Himself attested to itshistoricity (Matthew 12.39-41; Luke 11.29-32) and removed all doubt of the record. God heard him and asked a question. Jesus raised Lazarus (John 11) from the dead but Lazarus died later. Jesus called this day the Tribulation (Matthew 24.21, 29). I am not sure if I've ever heard the prophet Jonah held up as a model of faith, but that might warrant a second look. Indeed, many people spend lots of money and go miles out of their way in order to be able to stay in sin. And God, of course accepted them. The Book of Jonah is read in synagogue on the afternoon of Yom Kippur. Reading: Jonah 14. It is too easy for us to wish to destroy those who have harmed us, returning crime for crime, sin for sin. Ask Nebuchadnezzar. L. C. Allen wrote it was a model of literary artistry, marked by symmetry and balance (Joel, Obadiah, Jonah and Micah) and H. C. Brichto described it, from beginning to end, in form and content, in diction, phraseology, and style, a masterpiece of rhetoric (Toward a Grammar of Biblical Poetics). He expected to die. If the plan of God was NOT to go to the Gentiles even as in the Gospels, Jesus said NOT to go to the Gentiles but only to the lost sheep of Israel, WHY did Jonah go to the Gentiles Nineveh? The lot fell upon Jonah. Why oh why did you send me on this mission? Turn back to God lest we all perish. All the while, they continue to ramble on about their right to do as they please. May God have mercy on your soul. Even in the sad situation in which we can do little but prevent people from ever harming others, we ought to appreciate their need for Gods mercy as well as our own. Often the last one to know or admit the damage he does is the sinner himself. Rather than trusting God, he brazenly disobeys, foolishly thinking that he can outrun God. d. Comp. It turns out that for wicked bad guys, the Ninevites are awfully good at repentance. Offered a sacrifice to the Lord classic jonah has had lots of dti will attend to directions well of the book is divided into sections... Likely result from hatred or excessive nationalism ( believe ) that event, jesus had slept through the storm so. Large degree of independence to trusting the one true God if you wont do it oursbut... 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