In the same manner, God won't give up on us. 4,5. John 3:16 tells us, For God so loved the Israelites, no, the church, no, the apostles, saints, prophets, NO! 16. They are the same people who have killed a lot of Israelites. ). (a)How did Jehovah respond to the repentance of the Ninevites? Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. The mans spirits plummeted, and again he asked God that he might die.Jonah 4:6-8. Jonah had never done a thing to take care of that plant. ^ par. All people will one day glorify God - Psalms 86:9. (a)What did Jonah do after leaving Nineveh? Yes, that means precisely what it says: Jonah was preferring death over the advance of Gods grace to Nineveh. God rates his favorite children by their obedience. 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?" 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. These people were extremely cruel towards Israel and caused a lot of problem in the past. [1-minute video]. So, when Jonah was on a ship, there was a storm and the sailors threw Jonah into the sea. This blatant rebellion leads Jonah a not so fun boat ride. Disobedience is a big deal when it comes to God. In what ways might some find themselves disagreeing with God, and what lesson can we learn from Jonahs example? Jonah prophesied in the mid-700s BC, a time when Assyria was not as powerful as they had been in recent years. 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? It is an astounding admission of the true nature of Gods covenant given to Abraham. Some may believe that Jehovah should have prevented a tragedy or that he should have executed swift judgment against the wicked or even that he should have brought an end to this whole world system of things before now. TERMS OF USE 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). How much more will God hear your prayers as you cry out for a wayward child? Because of Gods unending love, He sent His Son to die for us on our behalf. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. We read in Jonah 3:4: Yet, forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.. I enjoy the Bible study and I want to be a blessing to others. Did not his anger over Nineveh spring from motives that were likewise selfisha prideful desire to save face, to be proved right? We all have our opinions, and ideas about how things should happen or be. When they did throw him into the sea, the storm stopped. 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? Jonahs message was simple and not likely to win him any favor. What mattered to him were the people. Will the United States be on the side of Israel in the last war? God gave Jonah a job to do, and he ran away. Israel on the other hand, was in a "silver age.". 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). Meanwhile, as soon as Jonah was thrown from the ship, the storm stopped and the water became calm again. He was the earliest of the prophets and close behind Elisha in his place in the Old Testament. God's compassion easily surpasses our love for others. So, grab your Bible and let's go on an adventure in God's Word! California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Registered in England and Wales 5090917, Christian Today, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN, Southern Baptists oust Rick Warren's Saddleback Church for naming a female pastor, Evangelical church pursues alternative oversight after CofE same-sex blessing vote, 'Jesus Revolution' leaves out the tough stuff but gets the music right. As soon as Jonah has settled gratefully into its shade, God sends a worm to chew the roots of the plant, killing it so that Jonah is left exposed once again. This is why its great to do a Bible study on these types of books in the Bible. 10 How did Jehovah react to the Ninevites repentance? You can try to hide, move, go away, either physically or even internally with your emotions, but its futile. 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 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). Dear God, please make me your obedient child. turn back from his burning anger, so that we may not perish.Jonah 3:6-9. Jonah 1:1-2 The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: Go to the great city of Ninevehand preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.. JONAH would have plenty of time to think. 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 Lastly, I get commissions for purchases made through my Amazon affiliate links in this website. Jonah would know that if Nineveh repented, the Lord would not destroy it, and it would remain a threat to Israel. Introduction: This lesson is about a man that is in a little bit of all of us. After God delivered him, Jonah traveled to Nineveh and prophesied that the Lord would destroy the city because of its wickedness. 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. Rather Jonah became a reluctant prophet because he knew God's grace would overwhelm Israel's enemy. One could never feel any sense of accomplishment or ownership, because it is given without cause. It has a ton of practical and fun things to print that will help you in you grow in your walk with God! The fast was so great that even animals fasted and cried out to God! But then they did repent. Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the fish's belly: Jonah was still in the belly of the fish but he knew it was enough that the LORD had heard his cry ( You heard my voice ). Please click here to learn how. Jonah was the son of Amittai, who came from Gath-hepher in Zebulun (called Gittah-hepher in Joshua 19:10-13 ). What gets missed is Jonah's repentance . He will establish his abiding presence with his favorite children. His spirits lifted. We need to realize who the Ninevites were. Icried out to theLordbecause of my affliction,And He answered me. It seems that at this time Nineveh had a sea-oriented religious system and sea-themed Gods. God is eager to see the wicked repent and change their ways, as the Ninevites did. They had made no agreement to obey Him like the Israelites had ( Exodus 24:3 ), and God had no obligation to save them. After paying the fare, he. 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?? However, anyone who willingly obeys God has the advantage of receiving greater benefits than a person who was coerced into obedience. Jonah would not weep over a people who came close to destruction, but "Jesus, the true prophet, did.". 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. The story of Jonah demonstrates why God so often leads us one step at a time without telling us more. Jonah thought he was going to die. Jonah was quite content with God's grace and God's love over Israel and over his own life. The Beginning of the story of Jonah brings us the first lesson about missionary service: 1.There are no easy calls. Michael A. Milton (PhD, Wales) is a long-time Presbyterian minister (PCA) and a regular contributor to Salem Web Network. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. I hope these 5 keys have made you hungry to dive more into Gods word. 2. We are all sinners who are worthy of death. In faith, Jonah knew that he would be delivered. 20 Gods saying that those people did not know right from left suggested their childlike ignorance of divine standards. During this time Jonah humbled himself to do what the Lord wanted. Learning to show mercy is often difficult for imperfect humans. This lesson shows the importance of believers obeying God's command to. Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish? Jonah didn't want to go there because the Ninevites were wicked people (see Jonah 1:2), and Jonah knew that when he came there to preach to the people, they'd repent and be spared from God's impending wrath (see Jonah 4:2). For Jonah a whole city was ready to repent, but for that to happen he would have to leave his comfort zone. Its like what my pastor says, Earthly obedience, brings forth spiritual release. 19,20. Jonah, after receiving God's command, quickly ran away to a place far away from Nineveh: Tarshish. Jesus knew what he was talking about, for he had been alive in heaven to witness those events as they unfolded. This is an essential characteristic of God. The stubborn servant felt the heat of hell until he repented. Jonah's ordeal inside the belly of the whale certainly evokes Christ's death and resurrection over the same time period. Jonah 3:5-8 The Ninevites believed God. There might be more, but thats just what is said here. God has Compassion on All People, not just us. Because God has shown us mercy, wouldnt He also show mercy to those people outside our Christian faith? The book of Jonah demonstrates the sovereignty of the Almighty as he employs his creation to accomplish the divine plan. Learn More. If anything, it will just have negative effects on us and the people around us! He has composed and performed original music for five albums. Jonah 3 & 4. We read: Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me." Yahweh has given Jonah a job that he needs to accomplish. How would he reach these people? A person should aspire to obey God and receive his blessing than to disobey him and suffer terrible consequences. But did He? When someone repents, are we happy for the person? 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 . In his heart of hearts, he knew that they deserve nothing but punishment and death. Or trouble within your church? Why Do We Need to Be Crucified with Christ? So, it shows that the Ninevites are even better than the Israelites at some point! Jehovah can allow his children to suffer for the sake of saving them. You see, evidence indicates that Jonah wrote the book bearing his name. His failure would have resulted in the destruction of Nineveh by the Lord due to their wickedness. It had all the elements of a spellbinder: a reluctant prophet fleeing God, a sinking ship, a man thrown overboard into the maw of a sea. If I go up to the heavens,you are there;if I make my bedin the depths, you are there.If I rise on the wings of the dawn,if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me,your right handwill hold me fast.If I say, Surely the darkness will hide meand the light become night around me, even the darkness will not be darkto you;the night will shine like the day,for darkness is as light to you. For You cast me into the deep,Into the heart of the seas,And the floods surrounded me;All Your billows and Your waves passed over me. The book of Jonah is a short narrative book about a prophet who doesn't really act like a prophet of God at all. 21. God Wants You Back, Jonah 1-2. We stop there and think of it as a fun story especially for childrens church. PlusFULL access to my printables vault! At any rate, his message was simple and not likely to win him any favor: Only forty days more, and Nineveh will be overthrown. (Jonah 3:4) He spoke out boldly and repeatedly. Who of us is immune to such selfish tendencies? As we know it didnt really work too well for him. MATERIALS: Learning props and toys, craft supplies, music SONG IDEAS:&a Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. He is just doing it just for the sake of preaching. Jonah was inside the fish for three days. But without those, Jonah would have ended up fish food. it helps to pay the bills and keeps this website running. Thanks for malisa for strong messages from the book Jonah ,Jonah prophecy symbol Christ in other characteristics such 3 days in fish belly while Jesus spend 3day in a tomb ,2 both messages gentiles, I enjoyed your Bible Study today on Jonah very much.. it was a blessing. 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. . 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 What miracle did God perform to teach Jonah a lesson? His life and ministry, recorded in but four chapters, brings so many lessons to Christians old and new. Hes actually ANGRY at God. At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him.). Post by James Taiwo author ofBook of Prayers|Pinnacle of Compassion|Bible Application Lessons|Success Express Lane|Bible Giants of Faith& others. 15 What was troubling Jonah? Im sure it will bless you like it has blessed me. How did Jonah show faith and courage as he preached in Nineveh? God didn't give up on Jonah. What's wrong with the House of Bishops' proposed same-sex prayers? Jonah would have to travel this by horse/camel. To top it off Nineveh is 800 miles away. So great was this monumental world capital that considerable remnants of Nineveh remain to this day. Evidently, though, Jonahs merciful God still saw good in this distressed prophet. The essential nature of God and His mission in the world should be a powerful motivation as well as a source of confidence as we seek to fulfill the Great Commission. 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. 6) A great fish, that God prepared, swallows him. She has spoken in churches in California, Oregon, Texas, and Mexico and has been featured in Guidepost Magazine and All Recipes Magazine. So he goes to Nineveh and calls them to repent or be destroyed. 5 Nineveh was ancient, being among the first cities that Nimrod established after the Flood. 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). . 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.". Need to be Crucified with Christ to Abraham helps to pay the bills and keeps this website running him! Better than the Israelites at some point it, and Nineveh shall be overthrown this lesson is about man... Christian faith more, but thats just what is said here are even than! Nineveh remain to this day days, and he ran away to place. To a place far away from Nineveh: Tarshish your prayers as you cry out for wayward. Made you hungry to dive more into Gods word telling us more some find themselves disagreeing with 's. 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