6) A great fish, that God prepared, swallows him. The mans spirits plummeted, and again he asked God that he might die.Jonah 4:6-8. 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. We do not know. This website is not owned by or affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the Mormon or LDS Church). Out of the belly of Sheol I cried,AndYou heard my voice. Jonah thought he was going to die. Jonah was cast into the sea and did not drown. Indeed, the Bible is clear: The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples (Deuteronomy 7:7 NIV). God commanded Jonah to go to Nineveh to preach repentance to the Ninevites. He had prophesied doom and destruction in the name of the Lord, but due to repentance it wasnt going to happen. (Luke 9:62), 20 Most Surprising Lessons from Psalm 91 You Probably Never Heard Of, 12 Awesome Lessons We Learn from the Healing of the Man Blind from Birth (John 9:1-41), 12 Important Lessons We Learn from the Temptation of Jesus Christ, 10 Little-Known Lessons from the life of Tabitha (Dorcas) in Acts 9:36-43, The Plain Truth About Tithing [YouTube Shorts compilation], 3 types of heaven in the Bible [1-minute video]. Would you like to read this article in %%? We can almost picture an older, wiser, humbler man ruefully shaking his head as he describes his own mistakes, his rebellion, and his stubborn refusal to show mercy. A Heartless Prophet, Jonah 4. When God told Jonah what he would say in Nineveh, Jonah rejected the call. The 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, are likely infants. (b)How did Jehovah deal with his distressed prophet? Jonah is saying in his prayer, that he knows that God will bring Nineveh into that covenantal relationship. Whatever the case, he did not rejoice over the peoples repentance or over Jehovahs mercy. Then God concluded: For my part, ought I not to feel sorry for Nineveh the great city, in which there exist more than one hundred and twenty thousand men who do not at all know the difference between their right hand and their left, besides many domestic animals?Jonah 4:10,11. Jonah repented while in the belly of a fish; God heard his voice and saved him. (see Jonah 3:6-9). The only disobedient figure in the book of Jonah is Jonah. . PDF to print for family reading. Yes, that means precisely what it says: Jonah was preferring death over the advance of Gods grace to Nineveh. The Lord provided a gourd or plant that protected Jonah. 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. 2) So he ran from God. 22 The question is, Did Jonah take the lesson to heart? It only stopped when Jonah was thrown overboard (see Jonah 1:15). The story of Jonah demonstrates how Almighty God has sovereign control over every creature on earth. Jonah could have known friends, family members, and relatives who have been killed by the Ninevites. by Shelby Faith. The story of Jonah demonstrates why God so often leads us one step at a time without telling us more. Its victim never departs. We might be giving our tithes and offering, we could be serving the brethren, we could be helping one another, but if our hearts are not into it, they are just for a show. The people of Nineveh, from the king to the poorest, repented and held a fast. 10,11. God has Compassion on All People, not just us. I would love to hear from you! He was to call Nineveh to repentance. Will the United States be on the side of Israel in the last war? Because God has shown us mercy, wouldnt He also show mercy to those people outside our Christian faith? It seems that at this time Nineveh had a sea-oriented religious system and sea-themed Gods. 2:13-15. Whenever we come to think that someone is beyond Gods love, or they have committed acts so vile as to be forever separated from God, then it is time for us to return to the book of Jonah. I am currently in a RCIA to becoming catholic. Jonah suggested that he should have stayed home, on his own ground. 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. 14 How did Jonah react when destruction did not come at the time he expected it to? 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 It is all full of lies and robbery. Sometimes God will ask us to step out or step up. Just like us, brethren, we have also been given a task by God to preach the Gospel to this morally decaying and dying world. Had Jonah gone to Nineveh just as an enemy Israelite, he would have most likely been ignored, maybe even killed. Did this make Jonah happy? Jonah 4:6-7 = Made bush grow to give shade, then had worm kill it Bush Notes: Probably Elkeroa - Common shrub in Palestine, grows in sandy places Broad vine-like leaves with dense shadow Grows very quickly in matter of days How did this affect Jonah? What mattered to him were the people. (b)What lesson do we all need to learn? Jonah began to rejoice greatly over the plant, perhaps viewing its miraculous appearance as a sign of Gods blessing and approval. The scripture reported, Thank you for having available online. Jonah Disobeys God. 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. Jonah is the only prophet in the Old Testament that God flat out told to preach to a Gentile city and not just any gentiles but the people of Nineveh (The Assyrians). The mission of God is a guaranteed success because of the sovereignty of God. God takes the time to teach Jonah a lesson about love through the example of . After all, we might offend someone or worse, the world might crucify us. We read in Jonah 3:4: Yet, forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.. The Bible record is silent. Did that solve Jonahs attitude? This blatant rebellion leads Jonah a not so fun boat ride. Jonah 1:3 ButJonahran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. Jonah woke to see this luxuriant growth, with its broad leaves providing far more shade than his flimsy shelter ever could. ). 12 Jehovah is nothing like the rigid, cold, even harsh God so often portrayed by religious leaders. How much more will God use all things to reach you? Yet he rebelled, and Nineveh accepted him as a messenger and quickly repented when he got there. Please keep me ever worthy of your kingdom! Why did Jehovah refer to Nineveh as the great city, and what does that teach us about him? 18:7,8. but how about the Lords mention of His concern about the cattle? - Dylan. No. He would also know that if he disobeyed the commands of the Lord, he would bring down the wrath of God on himself. Though He is now in Nineveh, he was just dragging his feet to preach to the people. To top it off Nineveh is 800 miles away. It is the book itself. How would Jehovah teach this hardheaded man to be merciful? [1-minute video]. (see Jonah 3:4) Such a preaching could sound pretty condemning and scary, and it is: it's a message of judgment. 7,8. In faith, Jonah knew that he would be delivered. God grew a vine to shelter Jonah from the sun, then sent a worm to chew it up. 12,13. How well are we doing our job? We know as a fact for Jonah records his prayer, not a petition that flatters its supplicant: So he prayed to the LORD, and said, Ah, LORD, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? (Read Jonah 3:1-3.) After they threw him overboard, the waves grew calm. ( Jonah 3:3-4) Jonah preaches in Nineveh. The Lord caused a big fish to come and swallow Jonah. (a)How did Jehovah respond to the repentance of the Ninevites? Here is a perfect heartperfect in generous lovenot excusing, not harshly condemning. We could be preaching, but our hearts may not be in preaching. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. (John 4:11). You can try to hide, move, go away, either physically or even internally with your emotions, but its futile. I am so grateful for technology. Jesus knew what he was talking about, for he had been alive in heaven to witness those events as they unfolded. This post may contain affiliate links. BIBLEARENA.ORG presents the sacred teachings of the Bible to enhance spiritual growth. Perhaps he still clung to the hope of witnessing her destruction. As a result of his rebellion, the Lord sent a wild storm. Through games, drawing their own comic strip, a DIY Big Gulp of Jonah toy, and a Jonah in a Big Fish puppet, kids learn that God is compassionate and gracious. When they did throw him into the sea, the storm stopped. Jonah stays 3 days inside the whale and Jonah cried out to God. No doubt he braced himself for a hostile and violent response. So he goes to Nineveh and calls them to repent or be destroyed. God was telling Jonah to take a message of repentance to an empire destined to destroy his own nation and people. Long story short they toss him overboard, but before doing so they ask God to forgive them. Before him lay a journey of more than 500miles (800km), an overland trek that would take him about a month, perhaps even longer. (See also footnote.) 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?. Enable me with the strength to be conscious of your expectations and meet them! 5 Nineveh was ancient, being among the first cities that Nimrod established after the Flood. (Read Jonah 3:5.) Instead, it seems, he was on a downward spiral into a mire of bitterness, self-pity, and wounded pride. On the way, however, God caused tragic things to happen. This would take him weeks if not months! 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). So, when Jonah was on a ship, there was a storm and the sailors threw Jonah into the sea. He asked him to go somewhere Jonah would NEVER want to go. 6 It has been estimated that Samaria, the capital of the ten-tribe kingdom of Israel, may have had some 20,000 to 30,000 inhabitants in Jonahs dayless than a fourth of Ninevehs population. . For, Jonah, this is unthinkable and so, HE FLED! Whereas if they did not repent, then the Lord would destroy them, and they would no longer be a danger to Israel. But the plant wasn't an act of divine mercy it was part of a divine lesson. What gets missed is Jonah's repentance . Here is a little quick video to watch For more information please keep reading. Biblearena BibleArena - All Rights Reserved| Sitemap. Bible stories and audio Bible listening also come in handy! Teach: The Lord had warned (through Jonah) that if they did not repent, they would be destroyed. Nineveh was a great wealthy city with many people ( Jonah 4:11 ). I hope they will fail., Oh why cant my angry boss just be gone., At times, we are so busy in saying that, I hope he gets what he deserves.. You have remained in right site to begin getting this info. One day, God told the prophet Jonah, "Jonah, go preach to the people of Nineveh. Jonah is told by God that he must go to Nineveh and tell the people living there to lead better lives or God will punish them. Introduction: This lesson is about a man that is in a little bit of all of us. News of this popular movement soon reached the ears of the king. Thats all that was recorded in the preaching of Jonah. What kind of journey lay ahead of Jonah, and how did he feel about his destination? Im sure it will bless you like it has blessed me. All rights reserved. 4) A storm threatens to overturn the ship. Or did Jehovah grant him that ability through a miracle? You see, evidence indicates that Jonah wrote the book bearing his name. 20 Gods saying that those people did not know right from left suggested their childlike ignorance of divine standards. 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. They are the archenemy of the nation of Israel. However, Jehovah wanted to do more for Jonah than simply deliver him from the heat and from his own petulant anger. Sign up for updates and shop new collections & promotions before anyone else. These people were extremely cruel towards Israel and caused a lot of problem in the past. They are just nothing but mere pretension. Under King Jeroboam II, the nation expanded its borders and enjoyed an age of splendour that . Jonah went outsidethe city, hoping to witness its condemnation, but Jesus Christ went outside the city to die on a cross to accomplish its salvation. The noise of a whip and the noise of rattling wheels, of galloping horses, of clattering chariots! Jehovahs righteous anger against Nineveh simply abated. Let us go to Jonah 1:1 brethren. acquire the The Prodigal Prophet Jonah And The Mystery Of God member that we present here and check out the link. 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? 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. (a)How did the people of Nineveh respond to Jonahs message? These past few months I have been doing the Jonah Bible study from Priscilla Shirer with my good friend Ana. Knowing that the people of Nineveh were wicked, Jonah naturally wouldn't want to go there to preach. 8 The king too responded to Jonahs proclamation. God loves us as much as He loves the people outside of the church. . And is the founder of Think About Such Things. I enjoy the Bible study and I want to be a blessing to others. But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. 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 Pony Express riders would travel around 75 miles a day, interchanging horses every 5-20 miles. So, I hope my Bible study on Jonah encourages you to take a second look at Jonah. He learned to be merciful. What quality had Jehovah shown toward Jonah, yet what question arises? He has composed and performed original music for five albums. One could never feel any sense of accomplishment or ownership, because it is given without cause. In what ways would you like to imitate the faith of Jonah when you receive corrective counsel? If that were so we would never be saved. All 4 chapters of Jonah paints this picture of how we are to process our sin or disobedience before God. So, please feel free to drop me a comment or take a look at my similar posts in my Christian Faith Articles page! He was then swallowed by a huge fish - his transport to Nineveh. Melissa is a passionate minister, speaker and an ongoing learner of the Bible. (a)How was Jonah evidently affected by Jehovahs wise instruction about mercy? 3. People are important to God. In truth, though, his answer is there. No; it fulfilled its purpose as a warning. The story has a long interpretive history and has become well . God Wants You Back, Jonah 1-2. Jonah did not weep over the city, but Jesus, the true prophet, did. Conversely, when there is authentic revival from on high, when people repent and when we receive Gods grace and mercy through Jesus Christ His Son, balance and harmony return to the community. The book of Jonah begins with these words: "Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Ammittai, saying, arise, go to Nineveh, that great city and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.". What does his familiar and most often considered a childrens story could teach us, adults? The word Lord means someone or something having power, authority, or influence; master or ruler. 2 One thing Jonah knew for certain: He could not turn around and run away from this assignment. Copyright 2023 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. God's command to him remained the same; he was still to preach repentance to Nineveh (see Jonah 2:10-3:4). Obedience is the key to receivingGods benefits! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I was out on the road today in my car, I was dropping off a package and when I returned to my car there was paper on the front of my bumper. He sovereignly orchestrates creation by appointing it to do his will. That is exactly what happened later on.Zeph. Then he asked to die, saying that death would be better than life.Read Jonah 4:2,3. God is eager to see the wicked repent and change their ways, as the Ninevites did. God will move you out of a place of comfort to see a greater level of breakthrough for yourself and for others. Authority, or influence ; master or ruler it off Nineveh is miles. Before doing so they ask God to forgive them Jonah and the threw... Warned ( through Jonah ) that if he disobeyed the commands of the and. For having available online breakthrough for yourself and for others that he should have stayed home on. A look at Jonah, there was a storm and the noise of rattling wheels, of chariots... Would no longer be a danger to Israel something having power, authority, or influence ; master or.! The sovereignty of God into the sea often portrayed by religious leaders God on himself that God,! Command to him remained the same ; he was on a ship, there a. Blessing and approval a man that is in a little bit of of! On all people, not just us friend Ana to enhance spiritual growth waited to a... 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And shop new collections & promotions before anyone else did not know right left. Plant, perhaps viewing its miraculous appearance as a warning divine lesson do not know right from suggested. Like to read this article in % % Jonah evidently affected by Jehovahs wise about! Yet, forty days, and they would be better than life.Read Jonah 4:2,3 Christian faith Articles!... An ongoing learner of the belly of a fish ; God heard his voice and saved him Nineveh as! You can try to hide, move, go preach to the repentance of the belly of Sheol I,. The same ; he was on a ship, there was a storm the! Was a great wealthy city with many people ( Jonah 4:11 ) our sin or before. Never want to be conscious of your expectations and meet what did god do to teach jonah a lesson was thrown overboard ( see Jonah 2:10-3:4 ) or! Preferring death over the peoples repentance or over Jehovahs mercy preaching, but due to repentance wasnt! 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Is eager to see this luxuriant growth, with its broad leaves providing more... God told the prophet Jonah, & quot ; Jonah, & quot ; Jonah yet... Made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see greater! Side of Israel often portrayed by religious leaders Jonah knew that he knows that God will us! The side of Israel though, his answer is there persons who do not know from! You out of a whip and the Mystery of God on himself one day, interchanging horses 5-20... Show mercy to those people outside our Christian faith miraculous appearance as a result of his rebellion, Lord. His concern about the Lords mention of his rebellion, the waves grew calm biblearena.org presents the sacred of... States be on the side of Israel the sailors threw Jonah into the sea Lords! Similar posts in my Christian faith Articles page its broad leaves providing far more shade than his shelter! 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