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The Book of Jonah is Unique!
• Jonah, the only minor prophet, whom Jesus likened to Himself.
• Jonah, the only minor prophet whom Jesus mentioned by name.
• The only minor prophet whose major activities were on foreign soil.
• The book of Jonah is more historical than prophetical.
Brief Outline of the Book
• Jonah’s call, and the flight toward Tarshish, chapter one.
• Jonah’s prayer to God, and his deliverance from the belly of the great fish, chapter two.
• God’s second call to Jonah; his response and great success, chapter three.
• Jonah’s reaction to the sparing of Nineveh, chapter four.
Outline of Chapter One:
• Jonah’s commission and flight, vs. 1-3.• The Endangered Sailors cry to the gods
for deliverance, Jonah 1:4-6.• The Disobedience of Jonah Exposed,
Jonah 1:7-10.• Jonah’s Punishment, Jonah 1:11-17.
Jonah, the Man
• The Son of Amittai, Jonah 1:1.• He was from Gath-hepher, 2 Kings
14:25.– In the area occupied by Zebulun, Joshua
19:11, between Mt. Carmel & the Sea of Galilee, 4 miles North of Nazareth.
• He served as a prophet during the 41-year reign of Jeroboam II, 2 Kings 14:23-25.
The Place of Jonah’s Labors
• Nineveh, Jonah 1:2.• Called a “great city,” 1:2; 3:2; 4:11.• For many years the capita of Assyria,
which had long been a menace to Israel.
• An old city, built by Nimrod, Genesis 10:8-12, about 500 miles northeast of Gath-hepher
Jonah’s Commission and Flight, Jonah 1:1-3.
• “The Word of the Lord came unto Jonah,” 1:1; 3:1. A common phrase indicating the Source of the Message.
• “Arise, go to Nineveh that great city, and cry against it,” 1:2; 3:2; 4:11.
• “But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord,” Jonah 1:3
The Sailors Cry to their gods for Deliverance, Jonah 1:4-6.
• “But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea,” 1:4. cf. 1:2; 1:4; 1:17.
• “The mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god,” Jonah 1:5.– But Jonah was fast asleep!
• The Shipmaster said to Jonah, “arise, call unto thy God..,” Jonah 1:6.– Irony: heathen sailors asking a prophet of
God to pray!
Jonah’s Disobedience Exposed, Jonah 1:7-10.
• They cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah, Jonah 1:7!
• The sailors interrogated Jonah, 1:8.• Jonah’s honest answer, 1:9.• The men were “exceedingly afraid;”
they asked “why hast thou done this,” and “what shall we do unto thee,” Jonah 1:10-11.
Jonah’s Punishment, Jonah 1:11-17.
• He said, “cast me forth into the sea,” Jonah 1:12.
• They vainly tried to bring the ship to land, Jonah 1:13.
• They petitioned God, and threw Jonah overboard; the sea ceased raging, 15.
• The men “feared the Lord exceedingly, offered a sacrifice, made vows, 1:16.
• Jonah was swallowed by a great fish, 1:17!
Some Lessons to be Gleaned from Jonah, Chapter One:
• In Old Testament times, God was concerned about people other than just the Jews.
• Jonah reflects the folly of misplaced Patriotism!– He ran from the post of duty because he
feared he might be successful! Jonah 4:2.– Willing to sacrifice his life for the sailors,
but wanted people of Nineveh destroyed!
Lessons to be Learned (con’t)
• God is a merciful God, even though some of his followers are narrow-minded and vengeful.
• Man can evade his duties, but he cannot hide from God!
• When God enjoins a difficult duty, it is much better to do it than to run from it!
Conclusion:
• When chapter one ended Jonah was in “the belly of the fish,” and out of favor with God! Are you in sin”
• It was necessary for the people of Nineveh to obey the preaching of Jonah if they wanted to be spared!
• “A greater than Jonah is here,” Matt. 12:41. Obey Jesus! Hebrews 5:8,9.