Jonah

Introduction

Jonah was God's prophet who was sent to a Gentile nation, specifically to Nineveh. He did not want to go, so he fled. God had him swallowed by a fish and brought him to Nineveh where he proclaimed God's message of judgment. They people repented and turned to the Lord as a result. This made Jonah angry, because he wanted this cruel people destroyed. By way of contrast, God in His compassion and mercy grants grace and they are spared ! Jonah ends a 'pouting prophet'.  This book helps us to examine our hearts in light of the lost around us. There are many lessons in this small book.

Key Verse : 2:9, 4:11

Suggested Outline:

 I.   Jonah on the Run 1
 II.  Jonah in a Fish 2
 III. Jonah in Nineveh 3
 IV.  Jonah in a Huff 4

Jonah 1
The Lord commands Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach His message of judgment 1. He runs away instead 2-3. Note: You can not get away from the Lord, nor His call on your life (see: Psalm 139:7-10). The Lord sends a wind to cause a storm 4. Note: Throughout this book you see the direct actions of the Lord through secondary means (1:4,17; 2:20; 4:6-7). Jonah is so hardened against the Lord's will, he sleeps while a storm rages 4-6. He just does not care ! The sailors do all they can, even turn to prayer for help. Jonah is found to be the 'reason' for the calamity 8-10. Note: Did is bother him to have to 'give witness to the Lord' to these men 9. They had more sense and godly fear than Jonah did 10, 14. Jonah thinks to escape by being thrown into the sea 11-13. The sailors reluctantly do so, after asking the Lord's forgiveness 14-15. The sea grows calm and the sailors turn to God in faith 16. Note: God brings individuals to Himself despite me and my poor witness for Him ! The fish, which God made, does His bidding and swallows Jonah alive, where he remains for three days and three nights. Note: You can not out-smart or run way from the Lord. Also, there are some whales that are so large that they can swallow a man whole. Was this a whale ? If not, then some type of fish. YES, I believe what the text says. He was swallowed by a fish and survived. This is not hard to accept and believe when one accepts the God of the Bible as He is revealed to be. (read the book, cover to cover and see the Sovereign, Creator, All-powerful, Saving, God, the Almighty !)

Jonah 2
Jonah thought that he had escaped the call and will of God by being thrown into the sea. Yet the Lord appointed a fish to swallow him. In this chapter Jonah is in the belly of the fish. He has time to think and he prays. He calls out to the Lord 2. He recognized the 'sovereign hand of God' in his circumstances 3. He is surrounded by darkness and feels 'banished from the Lord' 4-6. Jonah has a sense of hope because of the nature of God 4,7. He apparently had a change of heart (repentance) because he made a vow to the Lord (probably to fulfill the commission the Lord had put upon him) 9b. He makes an interesting statement in verse 8 about idols and those who trust in them. They forfeit the grace of God by clinging to their idols. Note: Might we do the same ? Jonah, in a very real and personal way came to realize that 'salvation comes from the Lord' 9b (which Charles Spurgeon said 'is the essence of the Bible'). At this point the Lord commanded the fish to vomit Jonah up on the shore 10. Note: God saw to it that Jonah got to HIS intended destination. Note: There is so much in this chapter that applies to each of us, since we have the very same nature as Jonah. How often have we run from the call of God, only to find that He will not let us go. God is indeed great and gracious ! Oh, that I would quickly bow to His will and do what He desires and not forfeit the grace that can be mine. Also, God can bring circumstances in our lives that move us towards Him.

Jonah 3
God's call comes to Jonah a second time 1-2. This time he obeys 3 and proclaims the message of God's judgment that is coming (in 40 days) 4. Note: God is good to give us fair warning and a time to repent (Revelation 2:21). Amazingly and by God's grace the Ninevites believe God 5 and fast, put on sackcloth, including the king, who issues a decree to repent and call on God for mercy 6-9. Note: The message of God holding us accountable for our sins is one that moves to repentance (see: Acts 17:29-34). The Lord takes note of their actions and has compassion by not bringing the judgment He threatened 10. Note: True faith moves one to action that pleases the Lord. The Lord can bring a revival to His people and a spiritual awakening to the most wicked of people. This is still true today. This could only be a 'God thing' since they all repented and called on the Lord !

Jonah 4
If you did not read this before, you would think that at this point Jonah would be celebrating the goodness of God to these people. The opposite was true of Jonah. He became angry with the outcome and God's grace and compassion 2. This is why he flee ('I knew this was going to happen' might have been his thoughts). Note: Can one be convinced of the gracious and saving work of God, yet not want to share it with others ? Jonah is so upset that he wants to die 3,9. The Lord asks Jonah 'have you any right to be angry ?' The Lord provides a vine to shade Jonah from the heat 5-6. Note: God is still gracious towards us even when we are pouting ! The Lord appoints a worm to consume the vine 7 and then sends a scorching east wind and blazing sun to afflict Jonah 8. This causes him to become faint and long for death. The Lord uses the vine as an object lesson in Jonah's life to get to the 'root' (no pun intended) of his anger. Note: I think God wanted him to see his cold, hard, selfish heart ! The Lord also wanted Jonah to see the greatness of His compassion, the wonder of His sovereignty, and the holiness of His character  9-11. There were over 120,000 infants and young children in the city. Should not the Lord show concern for them ? What about the many cattle ? Note: God is concerned about animals too ! Jesus used the animal world to illustrate the goodness of the Father in providing for them as well (Matthew 6:25-34). The Lord wanted Jonah to understand the heart of God. May be the Lord wanted Jonah to reflect the same as well. Jonah is somewhat an enigma. He is the only prophet of the Lord whose ministry ends with a huff (sitting in a corner, pouting). Charles Stanley once said that Jonah exemplifies a believer whom God 'puts on a shelf' (being unusable) because of a refusal to be surrender to the Lord and His will. Jonah failed to reflect the heart of God and thus ends up being useless. Note: How many Christians today are 'on the shelf' spiritually ? Are you one of them ?