><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Jonah) CHAPTER 1-2 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 'But Jonah' (verse 3); 'But the Lord' (verse 4). Cf Acts 11: 8,9 (where the context also concerns Gentiles). Of what truth had Jonah lost sight? Cf I Tim. 2: 4. How did the Lord retain control of the situation? With 1:7b cf Pr. 16:33, and notice 'appointed' in 1:17. 2 Jonah (like Adam and Eve, Gn. 3: 8-10) tried to escape from the presence of the Lord (1:3,10; cf 2:4). Why was this impossible? In the light of this passage, look up Ps. 139: 23, 24 and apply it to yourself 3 Jonah's prayer, remarkable for its lack of direct petition, speaks of distress and passes into thanksgiving. What was the fundamental cause of his distress? What caused the transition? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from Jonah Chapter 1-2 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) Jonah seems to have forgotten that salvation comes from the Lord (2:9b) and can be given to anyone whom He chooses. Later, Jonah admits this truth inside the fish and is prompty vomited onto dry land. The Lord was sovereign over all events that occurred here. (2) God is everywhere and sovereign, omniscient. THERE IS NO ESCAPE FROM HIM. Since once cannot escape - we had better get right with Him. The only way is through the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ. (3) Jonah was distressed because he was sinking into the deep sea. (Wouldn't we all be?) And directly as aresult of running from God and trying to disobey Him command to go to Ninveveh (which represented salvation of the Gentiles). At this time, Israel was becoming proud of her relationship to the Lord, His chosen people. However, God had "Gentiles" and Nineveh in mind to save. Jonah changed when he realized the loving mercy of the Lord for answering his prayer of distress. That is the heart of God - full of compassion, even for the most sinful and disobedient. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Jonah Chapter 1 Paid His Fare and Went Aboard to Tarshish The Lord called Jonah to go to Nineveh, the great city of Assyria, which is about 550 miles northeast of Israel. Jonah disobeyed the order with his own good reasons. So he planned to flee to Tarshish of Spain from Joppa, which is about 2,500 miles in the westerly direction. Assyria was Israel's dreaded enemy. Jonah felt God made a mistake and he would not follow this wrong decision. In fact, I think most Israelites at that time would have considered Jonah as a hero and a loyal prophet for refusing to go to Nineveh; because in Old Testament time, there was no teaching about love your enemies. The fare Jonah paid for sail across Mediterranean Sea would be very expensive. He must have spent all his saving for this wasteful trip. The same way as we studied in Hosea 7:9 that "Aliens have devoured his strength, but he does not know it. Yes, gray hairs are here and there on him, yet he does not know it." It referred to the case that Israel paid Egypt high protection charge to defend against her enemies. They worked to death to pay the debts. Lord, help me not to waste my time and money to do things to waste my life away. Jonah Chapter 2 Salvation is of the Lord, 2:9b As he surrendered himself to God, "So the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land." 2:10. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- Jonah was a contemporary of Amos. His preaching occured before Amos' in 760 BC. Our glimpse into Jonah's life begins at a watershed moment in his service to the Lord. Jonah had known the Lord until this moment, but at this moment he made a decision that would affect the rest of his life. He turned, in rebellion from the Lord. I personally identify with the story of Jonah and relate it to my personal testimony. Jonah knew the Lord as Saviour of his life, but was not living with Him as Lord of his life. If he had been living with this mindset, compassion and mercy would have followed toward the people of Nineveh. I went through a period of time in my life for 3 years(vs 3 days)at Virginia Tech when I was in rebellion to the Lord going in the complete opposite direction from His will and running from Him. I sought after my own goals, acceptance of others, and things of this world. I thought that the Lord's plan was wrong, and that I knew better. I was sorely wrong as was Jonah. It was only after I hit rock bottom(my academic probation from Va Tech) that I realized my error and was able to return on the journey back in line with God's will and 'return to Nineveh'. 1) Jonah heard God's word. He chose to ignore it. His patriotism to the nation of Israel and pride got in the way and he chose to go in the exact opposite(compass direction opposite in fact) from what the Lord wanted. Nineveh was the capital of the rival Assyria. It was a great sinful city. Jonah had lost sight of the fact that God desires all men to come to a saving knowledge of Him. 1Tim2:4. God remained Sovreign even though Jonah thought he was in control. God 'controlled' the lot, and 'appointed' the fish. 2) Jonah thought that he could run and hide and avoid God. He was wrong. Psalm 139 7-12 7 ¶ Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. 9 If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, 10 Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me. 11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night," 12 Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You. WE CANNOT HIDE FROM GOD. THERE IS NO SECRET SIN. The men on the boat even realized this. The captain even had to call Jonah to pray. My guess is that Jonah was hiding below deck knowing that he needed to pray, but not willing to do so and admit he was in rebellion to God. It took the non-believing crew and captain to cause him to face the error of his ways. 3) Jonah finds himself at the lowest point, at the belly of the great fish. Jonah's cause for distress was his feeling of isolation, that he was all alone, with no one to help, nowhere to turn to. In his darkest hour though, he remembers that God is always there to pick us up when we have fallen and to lift us up from the mire. This is the reason for the shift to praise and thanksgiving in Jonah's prayer. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Jonah) CHAPTER 3-4 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 God is unchangeably consistent in His attitude to men. What moral action is necessary to avoid judgment and find mercy? Cf Joel 2: 12-14; Acts 10:34, 35. How did Jesus commend the Ninevites' action? Cf Mt. 12: 41. 2 Jonah the patriot almost hides Jonah the prophet. How do 4:2b,4,10 and 11 rebuke his attitude? Contrast the attitude ofjonah with that of Jesus thejew. Cf Mt. 23:37, 38; Mk. 10:45. 3 What aspects of the character of God stand out in this short book? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from Jonah Chapter 3-4 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) True repentance, as repeated continuously throughout the minor prophets, is required to receive God's mercy. The Ninevites were genuine - even including their cattle in sackcloth. Jesus commended them for their fear of God to repent when Jonah warned them. However, the Messiah Himself was rejected... (2) God can do whatever He wants. If He chooses to choose another for mercy and grace, it is His right. He is sovereign, and shows this to Jonah by having mercy on Nineveh and not overturning them. Jonah was against Nineveh because they were Israel's enemy, and he wanted to keep tfavored status of Israel. Jesus, however, rebukes the Jews in Mt. 23:37 for their unwillingness. (3) God is shown as sovereign, merciful and compassionate, just and righteous in the book of Jonah. How amazing that this book is in the Old Testament, symbolizing God's love to Gentiles as well as Jews. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Jonah 3 The Only Prophetic Verse - Yet 40 Days Nineveh Shall Be Overthrown, 3:4 Quite a few scholars have viewed the book as an example of myth, allegory, or parable. But there is little reason to take the book as other than historical. Scripture presents the story as historical and the application of Jonah's experience to Christ's resurrection and it was quoted by Jesus Himself, Matt. 12:39-41. It demands that we take the account with utmost seriousness. Chapter 4 Jonah and the Plant God gives the reasons to make Jonah understand why He sent him to Nineveh. This illustration was given beyond human wisdom. Praise the Lord. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- The repentance and salvation of a nation. 1)Joel 2:12-14 shows us the necessary requirements to receiving the mercy of God. 12"Yet even now," declares the LORD, "Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning; 13 And rend your heart and not your garments." Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil. 14 Who knows whether He will not turn and relent And leave a blessing behind Him, Even a grain offering and a drink offering For the LORD your God? In order to receive mercy, we must return to God with ALL our heart, we must turn, indicating a change in direction of travel, and repent from our sin. Matthew 12:41 shows Jesus pleasure with the Ninevites action of repentance. 2) Jonah tells God 'I told you so...' After God relents, Jonah waits 40 days to see if anything will happen to the city. This is a long time to wait around and watch a city! Jonah the patriot and national hero wanted something bad to happent to the 'evil' Ninevites. He felt they deserved what they would get. How do we feel about unbelievers? Is out heart extended to them in compassion and do we actively seek their salvation, or do we desire their demise because they are evil and 'the enemy'. Jonah has no compassion for the people whereas Jesus showed total compassion for ALL men, regardless of race, nationality, skin color, or station in life. He desires us to show this same compassion to those WE come in contact with. Mt 12:42-45 42 for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; 43 I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.' 44 "Then they themselves also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?' 45 "Then He will answer them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' 3) God's mercy, His love, and His compassion for this fallen world are the key character traits of the Almighty, the Most High that leap out of the pages of this book. It is a shame we only have these two days to study what I consider to be so rich a book. It has really helped shape my life and make me realize how foolish it is to run from God and to go after things our flesh desires. May we each one be motivated by this book to reshape our world view and increase our compassion quotient to those around us that we may please our loving Heavenly Father.