THE BOOK OF JONAH

INTRODUCTION:

1.JONAH (whose name signifies “Dove”) was of Gath-hepher, about four miles north of Nazareth of Galilee, in the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

2.He was a Prophet of Israel during the reign of Jeroboam II; The context being 2Kg 14:23-29.

3.DATE: About 780 BC.

4.JONAH prophesied to Nineveh, capital of the Assyrian Empire, the enemy of God’s people (they eventually destroyed Samaria, and captured Israel in 721 BC).

5.Jonah thus was called in order to prolong the life of this enemy of his nation.

a.This helps explain why he was reluctant to go to Nineveh: It was not necessarily race prejudice on his part, but...

b.It was his patriotic opposition to a military machine which was about to exterminate his people.

6.The BOOK is a narrative, not doctrine; Jonah’s preaching is stated
in only eight words - Jonah 3:4 [“Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown”].

7.Unlike other Old Testament Books, the BOOK of JONAH revolves exclusively around a Gentile nation.

a.The BOOK also served as a reminder to Israel that wherever repentance was genuine, God would forgive and save.

b.The story seems to lead to the last two verses - 4:10-11.

8.This BOOK is history: It is NOT myth, or legend, or figure of speech - Mt 12:39-41.

9.Each Chapter of the BOOK shows Jonah in a different relationship
with God:

Chapter 1, Running From God;

Chapter 2, Running Back To God;

Chapter 3, Running With God;

Chapter 4, Running Against God.

1.DISOBEDIENCE OF JONAH -- CHAPTER 1 -- JONAH
AND THE STORM: RUNNING FROM GOD -- SAYING
“I WON’T GO”

A.JONAH’S DISOBEDIENCE, Verses 1-10.

1.Jonah was unhappy with God’s call, Verses 1-3.

a.He was unhappy because of WHERE God wanted him to go.

b.He seems to have thought that God should send destruction upon Nineveh without mercy.

1)Apparently the non-writing prophets had made it clear that Assyria was the power destined to destroy Israel.

2)Assyrian inscriptions from the time testify to the cruelty and brutality of their armies - cf Nah 3:1-4; 2:12.

c.Instead of going 500 miles to Nineveh as God said, he started 2,000 miles to Tarshish (in southern Spain).

d.FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD may not mean that he thought God can be escaped; He knew the Psalms, so he knew better - cf Psa 139.

1)Similar words indicate the filling of an office of God’s assignment - 2Ch 29:11; 1Kg 17:1; 2Kg 3:14.

2)This suggests Jonah was willing to give up his office and suffer God’s wrath in order to spare Israel (he thought if Nineveh did not hear the message they would be destroyed).

3)This would spotlight Jonah as a man of great unselfishness, and love for his nation, although he was wrong.

2.The great wind, and Jonah’s confession, Verses 4-10.

a.He did not want to see the cruel Assyrians spared; He had
no desire to aid the enemy, therefore he did not want to preach to Nineveh.

b.So he put his country before his God, and refused to go.

c.Now he would have to face the consequences of thinking he knew better than God.

3.Important lessons we learn from the first few verses:

a.When we run from God, we run toward trouble (we don’t board ships and run away, but in effect any disobedience is running from God).

1)It is running from God to refuse, or hesitate, to obey Him - Lk 17:30; cf Ac 24:25; 1Co 15:58.

2)We are fleeing from Him if we do not spend much time in prayer - 1Th 5:17.

3)Also we are running from Him when we neglect to fill our hearts with His Word - Col 3:16.

4)And when we do not encourage each other - Heb 10:24-25.

b.A lack of desire to obey God does not rid one of the obligation to obey Him - Rom 14:12.

B.JONAH’S PUNISHMENT, Verses 11-17.

1.Some view it as his SALVATION (from drowning).

2.Critics have refused to believe this account is literal.

a.But if God PREPARED all fish originally, why could He not prepare this one?

b.Evidence is abundant that a WHALE can swallow a man.

c.To reject this event as being literal history is to reject the Son
of God - Mt 12:39-41; Lk 11:29-32.

2.DISTRESS OF JONAH -- CHAPTER 2 -- JONAH AND
THE FISH: PRAYING TO GOD -- SAYING, “I WILL GO”

A.JONAH’S POETIC PRAYER OF PRAISE, Verses 1-9.

1.The fish, sent by God, showed Jonah the Sovereignty of God
at all times.

2.Apparently Jonah was accustomed to praying in the words of the Psalms (a good example for us); And now he prayed a beautiful poetic prayer.

a.Not a cry for deliverance; No petition of any kind.

b.There was thanksgiving and praise, Verses 2-6; He saw the wonderful love and care of his God as the “Everlasting Arms” held him.

c.There was contrition, Verses 7-8; He saw the foolishness and futility of disobedience, and rebuked himself.

d.There was rededication, Verse 9; He renewed his vow to
do God’s will, and expressed the truth that SALVATION IS
OF JEHOVAH.

B.JONAH’S DELIVERANCE, Verse 10.

1.If this was near Joppa, it could have been seen by many witnesses, and the story may have preceded him to Nineveh.

2.He had a long time to reflect on all that had happened during his 500 mile trip to Nineveh.

3.DISCOURSE OF JONAH -- CHAPTER 3 -- JONAH AND
THE CITY: SPEAKING FOR GOD -- SAYING “I’M HERE”

A.JONAH PREACHED, Verses 1-4.

1.God graciously gave Jonah a second opportunity to obey,
Verse 1.

2.God’s commission to Jonah, Verse 2.

a.Its scope: THE GREAT CITY.

b.Its limitation: THE PREACHING THAT I BID THEE - cf 2Ti 4:2; 1Pe 4:11.

3.This time Jonah obeyed, Verses 3-4.

a.THREE DAY’S JOURNEY: A day’s journey was considered
to be about twenty miles, and it was sixty miles around this ancient City of Nineveh.

b.His eight-word sermon (a summary?) is given: YET FORTY DAYS, AND NINEVEH SHALL BE OVERTHROWN.

B.NINEVEH REPENTED, Verses 5-10.

1.Jonah was a “sign to the Ninevites” - Lk 11:30.

a.This man was a walking audio-visual from God; What a story
he had to tell!

b.Witnesses may have been with him to verify his story.

2.He spoke in the Name of the God of Israel; The Ninevites had begun to plunder; Then they took Jonah seriously, and were terrified.

3.As he preached through the city there was great response.

a.People believed, Verse 5; cf Rom 10:17.

b.The king believed also, and issued a decree to the people to mourn for their sin, to fast and repent, Verses 6-9.

4.Because of His great mercy, God repented (that is, He changed His mind), Verse 10.

a.Repentance in man involves a change of will and of life.

b.God is unchangeable in character (Mal 3:6; Heb 13:8), but He may change His conduct toward people as they change their attitude toward Him - Jer 18:7-10.

5.Jonah should now have learned to look beyond his nation, and to rejoice in trusting the Creator of all people.

6.The great teaching of the Book of Jonah is the lesson of compassion which God had for this reluctant prophet.

4.DISPLEASURE OF JONAH -- CHAPTER 4 -- JONAH
AND THE LORD: LEARNING FROM GOD -- SAYING
“I SHOULD NOT HAVE COME”

A.JONAH’S ANGRY PRAYER, Verses 1-3 (he was angry because God was good to people!)

B.GOD TENDERLY REBUKED -- JONAH POUTED AND HOPED, Verses 4-5.

C.GOD PATIENTLY TAUGHT; (With three object lessons: a plant, a worm, and a wind), Verses 6-9.

1.The plant brought Jonah great joy, v6.

2.The worm took away temporary shelter and the joy it brought, v7 (joy given by THINGS can quickly be stripped away - Lk 12:15).

3.The wind then brought Jonah into deep despair, Verses 8-9.

4.Is it possible for us to see ourselves in this mirror?

a.Frustrated when we do not understand what God is doing?

b.Find fault with Him if He does not explain every detail?

c.This can cause us to change masters -- to turn from God to self (thus becoming self-centered).

d.Then no longer are we good and faithful servants who obey regardless of whether or not we understand, and no matter the cost or the inconvenience to us.

e.When arrogant demands are made that God give an account of His decisions and actions, the result for Jonah (and us) is misery and frustration.

D.GOD’S MERCY, Verses 10-11.

1.If Verse 11 means 120,000 children, the population was approximately 600,000 to 1,000,000 -- Which made it at that
time the world’s largest city.

2.These verses reveal the heart of God, and are the central teaching of the BOOK (we are led to it by Jonah’s story).

a.Jonah showed compassion for a GOURD VINE (it was of value and beauty within itself, and it meant much to him).

b.Likewise God had compassion for the Ninevites (all men are of intrinsic value, and they mean much to His heart).

c.Note God’s concern even for the animals.

d.His concern has never lessened through the ages; It never will - Mt 9:36-38; Mk 6:34; 16:15; 1Pe 3:12; Heb 13:5-6.

**JONAH IN THREE WORDS:

Jonah And Nineveh.

**CONTRIBUTION OF THE BOOK OF JONAH TO THE BIBLE:

1.This Book shows that, even from early times, Jehovah is the God
of Gentiles as well as Jews.

2.Seemingly the whole point of the Book is that God is tender and merciful to all human beings -- see especially 4:10-11.

3.The aim of all our teaching, even about hell, should be to save the lost -- The reason for telling “bad news” is to bring appreciation of the “good news” of salvation.

**CHRIST IN THE BOOK OF JONAH:

1.Jonah is the only prophet whom our Lord likened unto Himself --
See Mt 12:39-41.

2.Both were buried and rose again in three days (Mt 12:40), in order to bring the doctrine of repentance and salvation to the guilty people.

**CONCLUSION:

1.One who flees is frustrated; One who follows is blessed.

2.Are we following the Lord all the way? - Lk 9:23.

3.Does He own us completely? - Rom 6:4; Rev 1:5; 1Co 6:19-20.