10 Reasons God Might Not Be Blessing Your Life, 9 Christians You Don't Want to Sit Beside on Sunday Morning, 6 Truths about Jesus Coming into the World, Inspiring Mother Breaks Down after Earning Golden Buzzer with Celine Dion Hit, 7 Ways Anxiety Dominates the Christian Mind. The people of Nineveh, from the king to the poorest, repented and held a fast. Article Images Copyright , 4 Powerful Lessons from the Book of Jonah for Today. Instead of repenting, Jonah justified himself, saying: I have rightly become hot with anger, to the point of death. The stage was now set for Jehovah to drive the lesson home.Jonah 4:9. Jonah had experienced God's mercy and was given a second chance in his life. From inside the fish, Jonah prayed: 'I promise to obey you always.'. (b)How did Jehovahs miracles involving a bottle-gourd plant affect Jonah? The Book of Jonah is one of the twelve minor prophets of the Nevi'im ("Prophets") in the Hebrew Bible, and as a book in its own right in the Christian Old Testament.The book tells of a Hebrew prophet named Jonah, son of Amittai, who is sent by God to prophesy the destruction of Nineveh, but tries to escape this divine mission.. We must realize we dont see it all, we dont understand it all. (a)How did Jehovah respond to the repentance of the Ninevites? Instead of punishing Jonah for his disrespect, Jehovah simply asked him one gentle, probing question: Have you rightly become hot with anger? (Jonah 4:4) Did Jonah even answer? 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? We read: "Now Nineveh herself proved to be a city great to God." ( Jonah 3:3) Three times, the record of Jonah quotes Jehovah as referring to "Nineveh the great city." ( Jonah 1:2; 3:2; 4:11) Why was this city great, or important, to Jehovah? What does it mean to dwell in the secret place of the Most High (Psalms 91:1)? The issue in the book of Jonah causes each of us to reflect on this truth: those who curse Christ today could be those who preach Christ tomorrow. The book of Jonah is remarkable for several reasons. Last week we looked at the Jonah 1 & 2 and God's Mercy on a Reluctant Prophet. We cannot know all that went through his mind, but we do know that Jonah had proclaimed doom to Nineveh before all those people. God is trying to teach Jonah that God can bless whoever He wishes, whenever He wishes. Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!. I AM JOSHUA and Im on a mission to help fellow Christians build a closer and more intimate relationship with God. . He built a little shelter and settled in to waitand to watch Nineveh. But none of these factors made the city important to Jehovah God. I am passionate about inspiring people to find their God-given purpose in life. . What does his familiar and most often considered a childrens story could teach us, adults? Its like what my pastor says, Earthly obedience, brings forth spiritual release. . This lesson shows the importance of believers obeying God's command to. 10 How did Jehovah react to the Ninevites repentance? The mandate to preach repentance is inexorably linked to the announcement of Gods grace and forgiveness. I dont select the ads displayed here but generated by advertising software. If anything, it will just have negative effects on us and the people around us! Jonah couldnt see that and sometimes, we couldnt see that as well. 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. Jonah prophesied in the mid-700s BC, a time when Assyria was not as powerful as they had been in recent years. I think not. Lesson #2. It is not that Jonah hesitated and, then, refused to go to Nineveh because the task would be difficult (although that is an argument from silence). JONAH would have plenty of time to think. Long story short they toss him overboard, but before doing so they ask God to forgive them. Jonah could have known friends, family members, and relatives who have been killed by the Ninevites. Obviously, He did not. This blatant rebellion leads Jonah a not so fun boat ride. But then they did repent. . Jonah was a prophet and the Lord told Him to go and preach against Nineveh, which was the capital of the Assyrian empire. 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? Thats after the prophet Elijah but before Amos and Hosea. 4 Jonah did not see Nineveh as Jehovah did. At one time their ancestors had known the Lord but over time the people had drifted away and taken a different path, one . Out of the belly of Sheol I cried,andyou heard my voice. Jonah; Micah . Before him lay a journey of more than 500miles (800km), an overland trek that would take him about a month, perhaps even longer. The Pony Express riders would travel around 75 miles a day, interchanging horses every 5-20 miles. Join me now as we explore Gods word and discover what it takes to become a true Christian! (a)What may have led Jonah into a downward spiral? God was trying to teach Jonah lessons about the importance of being obedient to The Lord and His will. What miracle did God perform to teach Jonah a lesson? Nope. The noise of a whip and the noise of rattling wheels, of galloping horses, of clattering chariots! God punishes Jonah by having a large fish or whale swallow him whole, but Jonah is later reconciled and forgiven. Thank you, Jesus! 7 The first gentile revival just took place. Jonah is mad at the Lord, so the Lord tried to teach him. 1. How had Jonah learned that he could not run away from his assignment? Rather Jonah became a reluctant prophet because he knew God's grace would overwhelm Israel's enemy. Let us go to Jonah 1:1 brethren. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. No; it fulfilled its purpose as a warning. What Does it Mean That Jesus Was Gods Begotten Son? [And]Jesus did not merely weep for us; he died for us. 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. An encyclopedia hit the nail on the head as it described the lesson that God taught Jonah through the worm destroying the plant that gave him such delight in an emotional and tiring time in his life. turn back from his burning anger, so that we may not perish.Jonah 3:6-9. Finally, after he was spit out by the fish, Jonah found himself in dry land. Jonah knew what the Assyrians were capable of doing. Without Gods mercy, love, and compassion, we wouldnt be here. John 3:16 tells us, For God so loved the Israelites, no, the church, no, the apostles, saints, prophets, NO! How did Jonah show faith and courage as he preached in Nineveh? For, Jonah, its an insult to Israel. Jonah is an interesting story. Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fishs belly. People are important to God. 4) A storm threatens to overturn the ship. He learned to be merciful. These results are in verse three, that is, one verse before the one that tells of God's special intervention in sending the storm . But dont forget to download my free Jonah character study pdf! 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. God loves us as much as He loves the people outside of the church. Critics have expressed what doubt regarding the Ninevites, but how do we know that the critics are mistaken? 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. . What's wrong with the House of Bishops' proposed same-sex prayers? As Jonah obeys God the people of Nineveh believe God's message and repent. The fast was so great that even animals fasted and cried out to God! Could we be like that brethren? Milton has also served as chancellor and president of seminaries and is the author of more than thirty books. Jonah began to rejoice greatly over the plant, perhaps viewing its miraculous appearance as a sign of Gods blessing and approval. God let Jonah eat lavishly, then sent him to a place of famine. 3 - 4 ) Jonah's Renewed Commission and Obedience ( 3:1-4) The Endangered Ninevites' Repentant Appeal to the Lord ( 3:5-9) It is an astounding admission of the true nature of Gods covenant given to Abraham. Jonah was inside the fish for three days. Whatever the case, he did not rejoice over the peoples repentance or over Jehovahs mercy. I am currently in a RCIA to becoming catholic. (John 4:11). "Jonah & the Whale" Unit: Splash Into Summer LESSON PURPOSE: The story of Jonah & the Whale teaches us about listening to God's Words and how he is always there to guide us and take care of us. 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 Bible record is silent. Then he sent a parching east wind until Jonah began swooning away because of the heat. Jesus, however, experienced the full wrath of God, which he endured willingly for our sakes. 13 Was Jonahs prophecy a false one? Jonah thought he was going to die. The record of Jonah ends there, so we dont know what happened to Jonah after that, but we can hope that he learned what the Lord wanted him to learn and that he repented of his attitude and actions. Jonah's men threw him overboard because they didn't want to be punished for what Jonah had done. *. Should the Ninevites resume their wicked ways, God would bring the same judgment against them. Rather than the story being only about Nineveh, or about God's message, all of the lessons seem to be centered in the person of Jonah. Jonah was quite content with God's grace and God's love over Israel and over his own life. Jonah woke to see this luxuriant growth, with its broad leaves providing far more shade than his flimsy shelter ever could. He is just doing it just for the sake of preaching. This was at least part of the reason why Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh - he was afraid they would repent, when all along he wanted God to judge the Assyrian capital. Jonah stays 3 days inside the whale and Jonah cried out to God. Dear God, please make me your obedient child. In faith, Jonah knew that he would be delivered. 2) That there's no point in striving to achieve something that isn't God's will. Then, God asks a question to Jonah, which echoes through the ages down to our own lives: Jonah 4:10-11 (ESV): And the Lord said, You pity the plant, for which you did not labor, nor did you make it grow, which came into being in a night and perished in a night. The 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, are likely infants. 14 How did Jonah react when destruction did not come at the time he expected it to? The lesson that God loves us while we are living in rebellion is of great hope to our nation today. Nineveh was a Gentile city, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, and had no covenant with God. When we see people sinning are we quick to say, Wait until you get what you truly deserve?, Oh I cant wait for the time when you fall down!, Oh, this group has cast me out. 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. 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