(b)Why can we be sure that Jehovahs judgment was not in error? As he sank deeper and deeper into the sea, he prayed to Jehovah. God is working to teach Jonah a lesson. Jonah would know that if Nineveh repented, the Lord would not destroy it, and it would remain a threat to Israel. 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. Give me the ability to do whatever you ask of me. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Lastly, I get commissions for purchases made through my Amazon affiliate links in this website. You can try to hide, move, go away, either physically or even internally with your emotions, but its futile. 3 When Jehovah ordered Jonah to Nineveh the second time, the prophet obediently headed east on this long journey. But what happened, did Jonah obey God with zeal and passion? Though He is now in Nineveh, he was just dragging his feet to preach to the people. He will establish his abiding presence with his favorite children. He claimed that he knew all along that Jehovah would not bring calamity on Nineveh, even using that as an excuse for his running away to Tarshish in the first place. To top it off Nineveh is 800 miles away. The story is probably written between the 8th and 3th century BC. Amen. Ive read that the Lord wanted to show Jonah that He loves all His people. Jonah repented while in the belly of a fish; God heard his voice and saved him. (b)What do we learn about Jonah from the preaching work that he carried out? 21. It is the book itself. The result, however, was nothing short of amazing. He sent a worm to attack and kill the plant. But Jonah doesn't want to do God's bidding to he jumps. Im having trouble understanding the story. God is trying to teach Jonah that God can bless whoever He wishes, whenever He wishes. She has the heart to equip the saints by helping them get into the Word of God and fall more in love with Jesus. It is clear that Jonah believed in the efficacy of God's message. Nineveh had a huge population for that time. 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. Instead, we see the exact opposite. But the plant wasn't an act of divine mercy it was part of a divine lesson. God's compassion easily surpasses our love for others. God gave us the ability to choose - Joshua 24:15. Read Jonah 4:1-11. The story of Jonah was a popular tale in Jesus' time. It rocks my world that Jonah is running away from God and causing a huge storm (ahemmess) actually got people to offer sacrifices and make vows to the Lord. Here is a little quick video to watch For more information please keep reading. Will the United States be on the side of Israel in the last war? It was vast, a metropolitan region that evidently included several other cities, requiring a man three days to walk from one end to the other. Liberal scholars might dismiss the story of Jonahs prayer time in a fish belly as riotous rabbinical storytelling, but Jonah would surely protest. . There are treasures to be learned and applied in every chapter. 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. 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. The book of Jonah is a short narrative book about a prophet who doesn't really act like a prophet of God at all. Did this make Jonah happy? Copyright 2023 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. 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. So, Yahweh "sent out a great wind on the sea." As a result, Jonah was thrown to the sea and God saved him. 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 Just like us, brethren, we have also been given a task by God to preach the Gospel to this morally decaying and dying world. But have you thought of what you also deserve? The story of Jonah and the Whale, one of the oddest accounts in the Bible, opens with God speaking to Jonah, son of Amittai, commanding him to preach repentance to the city of Nineveh. Further, we know that such critics are mistaken, for Jesus Christ himself later referred to the repentance of the Ninevites. On the contrary, he is reasonable, adaptable, and merciful. Jonah was a prophet and the Lord told Him to go and preach against Nineveh, which was the capital of the Assyrian empire. Please see my disclosure policy for details. JONAH would have plenty of time to think. Instead, the "sign" we are offered is an invitation to die with Christ so that we can personally begin to experience the new life of the Resurrection. With this understanding, Jonahs choice to flee makes sense (in a very short-sighted kind of way) . To know he answers my prayers? If that were so we would never be saved. 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. On the way, however, God caused tragic things to happen. 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). His mercy isnt just limited to His people, but He also extends it to those outside of Israel. Jonah would have to travel this by horse/camel. I hope these 5 keys have made you hungry to dive more into Gods word. He must learn that God's love is greater and wider than he had ever imagined. Sometimes we learn lessons the hard way because we don't always do things God's way. ^ par. The next day he sent in a worm which destroyed the gourd leaving Jonah open to the elements. Jonah was quite content with God's grace and God's love over Israel and over his own life. Hi, welcome to my little piece of cyberspace! 1:17; 4:6, 7). He had tried that before. Visit the Jonah Bible lesson plan for further ideas to supplement this. (Read Matthew 12:41.) 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). The Book of Jonah offers valuable lessons in regards to this fear and shows us how we can become the prophets we are called to be. 2 One thing Jonah knew for certain: He could not turn around and run away from this assignment. "Lest we forget lest we forget!". Imitate Their Faith, Audio download options 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? Who of us is immune to such selfish tendencies? He could be preaching, but his heart wasnt into it. 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. Jonah's lack of response indicates that he got the point. Sometimes when we read Jonah we shake our heads and go seesh really? He gets tossed around by a storm and swallowed by a whale (or big fishwhatever floats your boat). He has composed and performed original music for five albums. Did they repent when a prophet preached to them? How does that show through the story? This is a great Jonah and the whale lesson. Let us see what we can gather from Jonahs struggle. - Acts 20:24b Props: One Ziploc bag with a fresh piece of Play-doh inside; Second piece of Play-doh that is dried out, in no particular shape; an extra ziplock bag. Sep 5, 2014 | AAAA AskGramps Website, Bible | 3 comments. Rather Jonah became a reluctant prophet because he knew God's grace would overwhelm Israel's enemy. Enable me with the strength to be conscious of your expectations and meet them! Thats it. Notice, out of the four chapters of Jonah, the words of his preaching was only one sentence. For instance, Jehovah had shown him mercy, saving him from drowning, holding back punishment for his rebellion, and giving him a second chance to carry out this assignment. I would love to hear from you! 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). . Jesus, however, experienced the full wrath of God, which he endured willingly for our sakes. Yes, that. Its easy to be triggered when things dont go the way we plan, but we need to surrender our will to His will. Judge of the Nations, spare us yet,Lest we forgetlest we forget! In the same way, God is not quitting on us. It seems that at this time Nineveh had a sea-oriented religious system and sea-themed Gods. July 19, 2009. Jonah believes that the Ninevites dont deserve Gods mercy and forgiveness. Its Not What You Think! 17 The despondent prophet left Nineveh and headed, not home, but eastward, where some mountains overlooked the region. I am passionate about inspiring people to find their God-given purpose in life. Jonah Disobeys God. Thank you. (a)How did the people of Nineveh respond to Jonahs message? Whatever the case, he did not rejoice over the peoples repentance or over Jehovahs mercy. Instead, something remarkable happened. The book of Jonah is short and a lot of time we can read through it quickly. What quality had Jehovah shown toward Jonah, yet what question arises? We could be in the church, but our heart is not in the church. As the days passed, he thought about the destination that he so dreaded, the city that drew closer with each step he tookNineveh. 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. I enjoy the Bible study and I want to be a blessing to others. Whenever he wishes `` Lest we forget! `` the capital of the dont! Nineveh respond to Jonahs message as riotous rabbinical storytelling, but Jonah would know that such critics are,. To do God & # x27 ; s lack of response indicates that he the. 2014 | AAAA AskGramps website, Bible | 3 comments do God & # x27 ; time hi, to! It what did god do to teach jonah a lesson and it would remain a threat to Israel the case he... Got the point divine mercy it was part of a fish ; God heard his voice and saved.! Helping them get into the Word of God and fall more in love with.... 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