We are all sinners who are worthy of death. "He Delighteth in Mercy". A Heartless Prophet, Jonah 4. 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 needed courage and faith to preach in Nineveh. Obedience is the key to receivingGods benefits! The issue in the book of Jonah causes each of us to reflect on this truth: those who curse Christ today could be those who preach Christ tomorrow. This is why its great to do a Bible study on these types of books in the Bible. He is the weeping God ofJonah 4in human form. For Jonah a whole city was ready to repent, but for that to happen he would have to leave his comfort zone. A Second Chance with God, Jonah 3. How does that show through the story? (Read Deuteronomy 32:4.) Lastly, I get commissions for purchases made through my Amazon affiliate links in this website. The Lord caused a big fish to come and swallow Jonah. Critics have expressed what doubt regarding the Ninevites, but how do we know that the critics are mistaken? From inside the fish, Jonah prayed: 'I promise to obey you always.'. 3 When Jehovah ordered Jonah to Nineveh the second time, the prophet obediently headed east on this long journey. God was working in Jonah's life through his fish experience. Jonah 4:2 is remarkable, also, in that it demonstrates that when God shifts His affection on the people we should expect conversion. Instead, the "sign" we are offered is an invitation to die with Christ so that we can personally begin to experience the new life of the Resurrection. Let us see what we can gather from Jonahs struggle. Jonah could have known friends, family members, and relatives who have been killed by the Ninevites. The Lord provided a gourd or plant that protected Jonah. 14. 6. 10,11. Because God has shown us mercy, wouldnt He also show mercy to those people outside our Christian faith? 9. Imitate Their Faith, Share But those things need to bow down to Gods ways. 3) He ends up on a ship. 17 The despondent prophet left Nineveh and headed, not home, but eastward, where some mountains overlooked the region. In the same manner, God won't give up on us. His life and ministry, recorded in but four chapters, brings so many lessons to Christians old and new. Thats after the prophet Elijah but before Amos and Hosea. God caused Jonah to be taken captive by the Assyrians and to fear for his life. 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? Now that we had a short summarylets get down to business! Under the intolerably beating sun, Jonah cries out to God in anger, and this time simply begs for death. (John 8:57,58) The truth is, we should never assume that it is impossible for people to repentno matter how vicious they may seem to us. Had Jonah gone to Nineveh just as an enemy Israelite, he would have most likely been ignored, maybe even killed. Though He is now in Nineveh, he was just dragging his feet to preach to the people. God Wants You Back, Jonah 1-2. 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 . He and his wife, Mae, reside in Western North Carolina. You have remained in right site to begin getting this info. DLTK's Sunday School Lessons Men of the Old Testament Pt 1: Jonah. Lesson #2. Just imagine that prophet, once again safe in his homeland, writing this account. 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?" Jonah was the prophet who served during the reign of Jeroboam II in the Eighth Century before Christ. The book of Jonah is remarkable for several reasons. 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). Will the United States be on the side of Israel in the last war? Notice, out of the four chapters of Jonah, the words of his preaching was only one sentence. 3) That obedience to God will always bring God-sized results. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 13 Was Jonahs prophecy a false one? Moreover, our life begins to be one hectic sinful storm and . A person that willingly obeys God has an advantage of receiving greater benefits than someone who is coerced into obedience. acquire the The Prodigal Prophet Jonah And The Mystery Of God member that we present here and check out the link. Teach: The Lord had warned (through Jonah) that if they did not repent, they would be destroyed. No; it fulfilled its purpose as a warning. We stop there and think of it as a fun story especially for childrens church. What quality had Jehovah shown toward Jonah, yet what question arises? 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. . His mercy isnt just limited to His people, but He also extends it to those outside of Israel. God caught Jonah in a ship and commanded a fish to swallow him. The paper was a bible page of jonah and these readings. Nope. So, Yahweh "sent out a great wind on the sea." As a result, Jonah was thrown to the sea and God saved him. Can you elaborate? This is a great Jonah and the whale lesson. We must keep our hearts soft lest anger and bitterness come in. 5) He is thrown into the water. The next day he sent in a worm which destroyed the gourd leaving Jonah open to the elements. What mattered to him were the people. God is eager to see the wicked repent and change their ways, as the Ninevites did. Jonah repented while in the belly of a fish; God heard his voice and saved him. (Read Jonah 3:1-3.) When we see people sinning are we quick to say, Wait until you get what you truly deserve?, Oh I cant wait for the time when you fall down!, Oh, this group has cast me out. [1-minute video]. Three days later, Jonah was vomited out alive onto a beach, an awed and more compliant man.Jonah, chaps. They are the same people who have killed a lot of Israelites. Lesson 48, November 21-27. But what happened, did Jonah obey God with zeal and passion? He sovereignly orchestrates creation by appointing it to do his will. Not to mention I did an Old Testament survey on him as well. When God speaks, it is up to man to obey. You see, the Day of Atonement is a reminder that part of humbling ourselves and repenting of our sins is to do the work God has called us to do. So God performed additional miracles. The book is historical and refers to what became one of the greatest revivals in the history of humankind. In his mind, they deserve nothing but death. ^ par. But have you thought of what you also deserve? 16 It is easy to judge Jonah for his conduct, but we do well to remember that it is not unusual for imperfect humans to disagree with God. Could you imagine how many times you would hear your kids say. He could be preaching, but his heart wasnt into it. 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). 7 The Lord controlled the elements of weather (Jon. But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. 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. 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. The force of this final question cannot be overstated. Jonah's obedience to God, albeit reluctant, brought about great results, results that only God could bring. If anything, it will just have negative effects on us and the people around us! Notice, Nineveh is northeast of Israel and Tarshish is in the west. God commanded Jonah to go to Nineveh to preach repentance to the Ninevites. i. * He humbly acknowledged that his people were guilty of badness and violence. It swallowed Jonah, but that didn't kill him. She has the heart to equip the saints by helping them get into the Word of God and fall more in love with Jesus. As Jonah said, God is a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm.. I love looking for signs so i looked at the paper. So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. 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. That is where the Gourd and the Worm come in. The book of Jonah is often characterized by liberal theologians as a metaphorical story to teach Israel to be more open to others. 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. Digging deep and having the Holy Spirit reveal truths to us is how we start to grow and mature. This is covenantal language of the highest order. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. 19,20. Prophet Jonah disobeyed God and attempted to escape, but God caught him red-handedly. He would also know that if he disobeyed the commands of the Lord, he would bring down the wrath of God on himself. Please keep me ever worthy of your kingdom! Amen. So, I hope my Bible study on Jonah encourages you to take a second look at Jonah. God does not tempt us with sin - James 1:13. . Get a focused-Bible-teaching on various subjects as they may apply to our today's lives. Did he leap for joy and shouted hooray? Jonah was a prophet and the Lord told Him to go and preach against Nineveh, which was the capital of the Assyrian empire. They had believed him. People are important to God. Here is part of the prayer in Jonah 2. For in placing the question as He does, the Lord God requires each and every one of us to give a response. Jonah; Micah . He decides the best thing to do is leave Israel and go in the polar opposite direction to Tarshish, which is said to be near Spain. 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. Give me the ability to do whatever you ask of me. Jonah then goes to Ninvaha, tells them to repent and the whole city believes Jonah and repents. Obedience is the key to receivingGods benefits! They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. Hes actually ANGRY at 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. Instead of us being beaten, insulted, and crucified, Yahshua did it for us. In the 4th chapter of Jonah, we see God's love and grace contrasted with Jonah's anger and lack of compassion. 3 - 4 ) Jonah's Renewed Commission and Obedience ( 3:1-4) The Endangered Ninevites' Repentant Appeal to the Lord ( 3:5-9) ^ par. Join me now as we explore Gods word and discover what it takes to become a true Christian! (Ezek. Read Jonah 4:1-11. Jonah had never done a thing to take care of that plant. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. . Visit the Jonah Bible lesson plan for further ideas to supplement this. James Taiwo Click to tweet. I am currently in a RCIA to becoming catholic. Thank you for your patience and continued support! He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. God is omniscient - Psalm 139:1-6. What did the Lord mean in Jonah4:10-11? 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. Jonah's men threw him overboard because they didn't want to be punished for what Jonah had done. If that were so we would never be saved. [And]Jesus did not merely weep for us; he died for us. The Pony Express riders would travel around 75 miles a day, interchanging horses every 5-20 miles. It seems that at this time Nineveh had a sea-oriented religious system and sea-themed Gods. Am I Less Worthy Not Being From the Tribe of Ephraim? He wanted to reach Jonahs heart. The sign of Jonah was an expression used by Jesus to refer to Jonah's three days and three nights in the belly of the fish (Jonah 1:17). 6) A great fish, that God prepared, swallows him. Expressing hope that the true God would soften upon seeing their repentance, the king said: God may . After God delivered him, Jonah traveled to Nineveh and prophesied that the Lord would destroy the city because of its wickedness. Jonah's story is told in the short (just 48 verses) but powerful book of Jonah. News of this popular movement soon reached the ears of the king. They abstained from food. 4 Jonah did not see Nineveh as Jehovah did. and God's forgiveness. An encyclopedia hit the nail on the head as it described the lesson that God taught Jonah through the worm destroying the plant that gave him such delight in an emotional and tiring time in his life. (a)How does Jehovah show that he is reasonable, adaptable, and merciful? 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. 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). Is it true that it never rained before Noah? When God speaks to our heart to do something we should take intitive. The fast was so great that even animals fasted and cried out to God! God who dearly loves his children also has a special mode of correction for his children. Sometimes we learn lessons the hard way because we don't always do things God's way. The origin or source of the grace Jonah disdained is God. Jonah believes that the Ninevites dont deserve Gods mercy and forgiveness. 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?? The noise of a whip and the noise of rattling wheels, of galloping horses, of clattering chariots! What did the Lord mean in Jonah. Instead, the Lord saved him. Milton has also served as chancellor and president of seminaries and is the author of more than thirty books. His life and ministry, recorded in but four chapters, brings so many lessons to Christians old and new. 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. And that response is nestled within the greater framework of Gods plan for the ages: from Paradise Lost(Milton, 1667) to Paradise Regained (Milton, 1671). MATERIALS: Learning props and toys, craft supplies, music SONG IDEAS:&a For, Jonah, this is unthinkable and so, HE FLED! Where can I fleefrom your presence? RAPTURE IS IMMINENT, CHRIST WILL COME AGAIN 2 Peter, THE ANTICHRIST EVIL MARK OF 666 SYMBOLIZES DESTRUCTION Revelation, GOD HATES SIN; COVET HOLINESS AND STAY STRONG Zechariah, GODS JUDGMENT IS INEVITABLE Revelation, 7 REASONS TO BELIEVE CHRIST ROSE FROM THE DEAD, Subscribing I accept the privacy rules of this site, JESUS PURCHASED THE CHURCH WITH HIS BLOOD Acts, JESUS COMMANDED HIS DISCIPLES TO PREACH THE GOSPEL Luke 9, KING JEHU KILLED IDOL WORSHIPERS 2 Kings, THE DEFENSE FOR GODS SERVANTS Jeremiah. Because of Gods unending love, He sent His Son to die for us on our behalf. The sign is that a place of death had become a place of deliverance. 7 Jonahs message got the Ninevites attention. PRIVACY SETTINGS, https://assetsnffrgf-a.akamaihd.net/assets/m/1102013260/univ/art/1102013260_univ_sqr_xl.jpg, https://assetsnffrgf-a.akamaihd.net/assets/a/ia/E/wpub/ia_E_lg.jpg, Share God has won Jonah's heart back in the right direction, so he commanded the fish to grant him bail and asked Jonah the second time to go preach in the city of Nineveh. God let Jonah eat lavishly, then sent him to a place of famine. Jonah is mad at the Lord, so the Lord tried to teach him. (Read Jonah 3:5.) When Jonah adds that to his list of complaints the Lord uses it as a teaching moment. 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. The story of Jonah demonstrates why God so often leads us one step at a time without telling us more. The 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, are likely infants. Did he fear being ridiculed or being labeled a false prophet? Sep 5, 2014 | AAAA AskGramps Website, Bible | 3 comments. In doing so, he showed remarkable courage and faith, qualities that Christians today need more than ever. How could Jonah place more value on a single plant than he did on the lives of 120,000 humans, in addition to all their livestock? He asked him to go somewhere Jonah would NEVER want to go. While the theme of Gods sovereignty and Gods grace is, indeed, the predominant storyline of Jonah, the book is certainly not merely metaphorical. (b)What did the king of Nineveh do in response to Jonahs proclamation? . He is the recipient of the Legion of Merit. His spirits lifted. However, Jehovah wanted to do more for Jonah than simply deliver him from the heat and from his own petulant anger. . God rates his favorite children by their obedience. It tells us about the role we play in the Body of Christ, the forgiving and merciful attitude that we all should have, and the unimaginable magnitude of Gods mercy and grace not just to His people, but to the entire world. PRIVACY POLICY Long story short they toss him overboard, but before doing so they ask God to forgive them. No doubt he braced himself for a hostile and violent response. As the days passed, he thought about the destination that he so dreaded, the city that drew closer with each step he tookNineveh. 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. When we look at Jonah 4, Jonah calls God "a gracious God and merciful." Then, in Ephesians 2, Paul says that God's nature is "rich in mercy." As Christians, we know that God is making. Jonah knew that God was full of grace and mercy, and that was why he was afraid to tell the people of Nineveh. I dont select the ads displayed here but generated by advertising software. 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. 19 Once more Jehovah asked Jonah if he was rightly angry, this time over the death of the bottle-gourd plant. On the contrary, he is reasonable, adaptable, and merciful. Jonah is mad at the Lord, so the Lord tried to teach him. And when God did not destroy Nineveh, Jonah became angry. I enjoy the Bible study and I want to be a blessing to others. The word for the English, loving kindness in the text is the Hebrew, hesed. Hesed is the word used repeatedly throughout the Old Testament to describe Gods loyal love, His self-sworn obligation to love Israel, and to provide what Israel lacked (viz., sacrifice for sin and a holy life). Jehovahs righteous anger against Nineveh simply abated. That warning was based on the Ninevites bad ways, which subsequently changed. Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm (Jonah 4:2 NKJV). He will establish his abiding presence with his favorite children. Its victim never departs. During this time Jonah humbled himself to do what the Lord wanted. Yet the city of Nineveh had sixscore thousand people (Jonah 4:11) who didnt know any better and Jonah thinks their preservation is a bad thing? God often only tells us what we can handle at the time. PlusFULL access to my printables vault! Why Do We Need to Be Crucified with Christ? It is clear that Jonah believed in the efficacy of God's message. Though Jonah ran away from God, God wasn't finished with him yet. Is it wrong to judge other people? However, as the story unfolds we can see how the Lord draws him from fear . In what ways would you like to imitate the faith of Jonah when you receive corrective counsel? Jonah's lack of response indicates that he got the point. "Lest we forget lest we forget!". But none of these factors made the city important to Jehovah God. (see Jonah 3:4) Such a preaching could sound pretty condemning and scary, and it is: it's a message of judgment. Horsemen charge with bright sword and glittering spear. Jonah was the man who prayed to God from the belly of the great fish, seeking God's mercy Praising God because He was a God who heard his prayer The God Who Jonah declared was the one responsible for salvation At this point we find our first great lessons regarding God's sovereignty. A gourd, an easterly winder, and even a worm, all over the Lord without any protests. Or trouble within your church? 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?. Learning to show mercy is often difficult for imperfect humans. Why did Jehovah refer to Nineveh as the great city, and what does that teach us about him? I went down to themoorings of the mountains;The earth with its barsclosedbehind me forever;Yet You have brought up mylife from the pit,OLord, my God. What kind of journey lay ahead of Jonah, and how did he feel about his destination? God chose Jonah to go to the Ninevites and tell them that unless they turned from their wicked ways they would face God's punishment. Then all of sudden God decided to come between Jonah and his patriotism. ). 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. - Acts 20:24b Props: One Ziploc bag with a fresh piece of Play-doh inside; Second piece of Play-doh that is dried out, in no particular shape; an extra ziplock bag. He was the earliest of the prophets and close behind Elisha in his place in the Old Testament. Because more than anything else, He also wanted to help Jonah see his faults, repent of his selfishness, and change his ways. Further, we know that such critics are mistaken, for Jesus Christ himself later referred to the repentance of the Ninevites. (b)What lesson do we all need to learn? i. Jonah knew God heard him before the answer came. 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. Perhaps, he was angry, because the warning he had given them had not been carried out. Jonah knew what the Assyrians were capable of doing. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying. (a)What may have led Jonah into a downward spiral? So when the Lord told Jonah that Nineveh was wicked and ripe for destruction, it would be easy to see why Jonah would be pleased by this; and why he would be less pleased to be called by the Lord to call the city of Nineveh to repentance. I am passionate about inspiring people to find their God-given purpose in life. July 19, 2009. (Read Matthew 12:41.) Talk about Jonah 1: 4-16: This is what it is like to turn away from God. Bible stories and audio Bible listening also come in handy! These people were extremely cruel towards Israel and caused a lot of problem in the past. Its been an amazing journey to take a deeper look at this Old Testament prophet. Isaiah was called to preach to a derelict people: "Jerusalem is ruined, and . Jonah would not weep over a people who came close to destruction, but "Jesus, the true prophet, did.". Would you like to read this article in %%? Only true repentance can happen when we acknowledge and are willing to go in Gods direction. Disobedience is a big deal when it comes to God. Sometimes when we read Jonah we shake our heads and go seesh really? He gets tossed around by a storm and swallowed by a whale (or big fishwhatever floats your boat). 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. Though we run away from Him, He patiently waits for us. After paying the fare, he. Nineveh was a Gentile city, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, and had no covenant with God. God gave us the ability to choose - Joshua 24:15. Mark Wahlberg gives lessons on fasting during Lent, Free Church of Scotland condemns 'anti-Christian intolerance' towards Kate Forbes, Ian Paul on why he won't leave the Church of England despite its support for gay blessings, How becoming a refugee host forged a friendship for life, Rate of church closures is higher in low-income neighbourhoods, 'We never stopped praying,' says kidnap for ransom survivor, Medieval Christian women voices that we need to hear. Himself to do what the Lord, he patiently waits for us ; Delighteth. Away from God from his own petulant anger our heart to equip the saints by helping them get into word! Not home, but for that to his list of complaints the Lord provided gourd. A whip and the Mystery of God on himself put on sackcloth, the prophet Elijah but before so! Without telling us more Jonah 's obedience to God go to Nineveh the second time, the and. To give a response us see what we can handle at the,! 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