Resources:
Note on the chapters and the video:
- Background:
- Jonah’s name means “dove”.
- Throughout the Book of Jonah he refers to in third person (“Jonah did this..”).
- 2 Kings 14:25 tells us Jonah comes from Gath-hepher. Gath-hepher was near Nazareth. Jonah was in the northern kingdom, part of the ten tribes.
- Some people say the Book of Jonah was a dream that Jonah had while others think it actually happened.
- The Book of Jonah is the first part of a larger story. The Book of Nahum is the second part of the story. This will become obvious when you read the Book of Nahum.
- There are 6 ways that Jonah reveals the gospel
- Jonah’s experience in the fish predicts Jesus’ resurrection: Just as Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights, Jesus would be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights, symbolizing his death and resurrection.
- Jonah’s prayer from the belly of the fish reflects the power of repentance and prayer: Jonah’s prayer, “I shall again look upon your holy temple… You brought up my life from the pit… My prayer came to you, into your holy temple”, illustrates the power of repentance and the importance of prayer in the Christian faith. It shows that even in the depths of despair, God hears and answers the prayers of those who seek him.
- Jonah’s reluctance to preach to Nineveh highlights God’s mercy towards the unworthy: Jonah’s initial reluctance to go to Nineveh, a city known for its wickedness, reflects the human tendency to judge and exclude others. However, God’s mercy extends to all, even those we consider unworthy. This is a key aspect of the gospel, which emphasizes that salvation is available to all who repent and believe.
- Jonah’s story illustrates the importance of obedience to God’s call: Despite his initial disobedience, Jonah eventually obeys God’s command to go to Nineveh. This highlights the importance of obedience in the Christian life and the consequences of resisting God’s will. It also shows that God is patient and willing to give us second chances.
- Jonah’s experience with the plant and the worm reveals God’s sovereignty and the futility of human anger: The story of the plant and the worm, where God uses a plant to shade Jonah and then takes it away, reveals God’s sovereignty over all creation and the futility of human anger. This is a reminder that God’s ways are higher than our ways and that we should trust in his plan.
- Jonah’s story is a similar to Jesus’ story: In the New Testament, Jesus refers to Jonah as a type of himself, saying, “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth”. This typology highlights the connection between Jonah’s story and the gospel, showing that Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises and types found in the Old Testament.
- Chapter 1 addresses Jonah’s call to preach for Nineveh to return to the Lord, his attempt to run away from God, and the consequences that followed. Nineveh a city was known for its great cruelty and was possibly the largest city in the world at the time of Jonah. Jonah illustrates the futility of running from God: the chapter ends with Jonah being thrown into the sea and swallowed by a great fish.
- Jonah didn’t want to follow God’s command to preach to Ninevah and tried to flee.
- Chapter 2 provides the prayer of Jonah. He calls out to God in his distress (Jonah 2:2) while in the belly of the fish. Jonah was trapped in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights before he finally submits to God. God answers Jonah’s prayers, speaks to the fish, and the fish vomits Jonah onto dry land (Jonah 2:10).
- Jonah finally realized how much he needs God when he was at his lowest point (having been swallowed by a large fish).
- Jonah 2:8: Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God’s mercies.
- God gave Jonah a second chance. God will always give us a second chance if we call out to Him for help.
- The Jewish people apparently believe Jonah died in the belly of the fish and was resurrected on the third day.
- Chapter 3 gives the account of Jonah faithfully obeying the Lord to preach in Nineveh. After this second call (Jonah 3:1–2), Jonah obeys and proclaims destruction would come in forty days. The people of Nineveh believe God, fast, and mourn in response (Jonah 3:5). The king even issues a decree for no person or animal to eat, but to pray to the Lord for mercy (Jonah 3:6–9). When they do, the Lord shows them mercy (Jonah 3:10).
- Jonah worked hard to warn Nineveh that they would be destroyed for not following God’s laws. The people of Nineveh believed Jonah because of all he had gone through to come and warn them of this potential judgement.
- In Matthew 12:39-41 Jesus explains how Nineveh believed Jonah. Jesus compares Jonah’s experience to His own by explaining how He would be dead for three days and three nights before resurrecting – much like Jonah emerged from the large fish. This means if you don’t believe in the story of Jonah you likely cannot believe in the resurrection of Jesus.
- Chapter 4 offers the response of Jonah. Rather than rejoicing, he wants to die (Jonah 4:3). Jonah then rests outside the city under a plant the Lord had provided. The next day, the plant is gone and Jonah is so angry he again wants to die (Jonah 4:8). The Lord reminds Jonah that the people of Nineveh are much more important than the plant that had died. The Lord chose to have compassion on them and cared for them much more than Jonah cared about a plant that produced shade. God’s love is clearly shown for all people who respond to Him.
Group Discussion:
- Discussion of different Bible translations. The best translation to use is the one that you will read.
Prayer Requests:
- I gave praise (thanks) for:
- my health and other blessings I take for granted
- my wife, my children, and my church
- being able to travel and spend time with my daughter for Father’s Day
- the Bible Study Group
- Jim’s leadership and daily messages of inspiration
- I prayed for:
- my wife and kids
- my marriage and all of our marriages and relationships
- to heal divisions within our countries and the relations between them
- for our leaders to govern well according to God’s will
- a possible job or self-employment opportunity to better provide for my wife, my children, my church, and my community
