Jesus Christ I AM THAT I AMGreat Commission Ministries

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Jonahthe reluctant prophet

32nd book of the Bible

A. THEME

This book is peculiar among the prophets in that it contains no direct message to Israel.

The message of the prophet being addressed to the

Ninevites. The book is a display of God's vast

mercy, both to the city of Nineveh and to the reluctant missionary, Jonah.

B. HISTORICAL BACKGROUNDNineveh, the city to which Jonah

was to preach, was the capital of Assyria, then dominate world power known for its cruelty. It had oppressed many peoples, including the Jews. Hence, God had asked Jonah to go and preach in an alien country, to a people who had grievously treated his own people, and who were still his enemy. The Assyrian nation later conquered all of Israel.

C. AUTHORJonah was a Galilean from the town

of Gath-hepher, near Nazareth.He ministered to the ten tribes

during the reign of Jeroboam II and prophesied concerning the restoration of Israelites' territory (II Kings 14:25-27).

When Elisha's ministry closed, Jonah's was beginning.

Jesus Himself bore witness to Jonah's personal existence, miraculous

fate, and prophetical office (Matthew 12:40).

The story of Jonah in the belly of the fish was a prophetical picture of the Lord's death and resurrection

D. CONTENTS1. Jonah's First Commission, His

Disobedience, and the results (Chapters 1, 2)Jonah was commissioned to go and

preach repentance to the city of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. Because Nineveh was the great enemy of Israel and had committed many atrocities among the nations, Jonah was not willing to obey God's command. Instead, he boarded a ship sailing for

Tar shish, attempting to run away from God.

As the result, a great storm overtook the ship and Jonah was thrown overboard. at his own request. so that the ship could be saved. Thereupon Jonah was swallowed by a great fish that had been prepared by the Lord, apparently as a means of saving the prophet. While in the fish's belly, Jonah repented of his rebellion. He was then vomited out on dry land

One must remember that the story of Jonah and the whale is not an allegory or parable. Jesus put the fish, the repentance of the Ninevites, His resurrection, and the judgment day in the same category (Matthew12:39-41). It was the Lord who prepared. the fish. It could have been one especially created. Nevertheless, there is also documented evidence of other men being swallowed by great whales.

2. Jonah's Second Commission, His Obedience, and Its results

(Chapter 3)The word of the Lord came unto

Jonah the second time. . . But the words were the same, .Go unto Nineveh.. (See Romans 11:29.) In obedience,Jonah went to the great city and delivered his soul. His message convicted the Ninevites, who believed God and repented.

3. Jonah.s Complaint and God's Answer (Chapter 4)

Even though Jonah obeyed and preached to the Ninevites, he apparently was hoping that they would not heed the message and would still be destroyed (verse 5). By the lesson of the gourd, God dealt gently with His servant and rebuked him. Verse II reveals God's compassion.

E. VALUE

From this book we may learn the importance of obedience to the will

of God and catch a glimpse of His great and tender mercies.

Statistics:32nd book of the Bible4 chapters48 verses1,321 words8 commands12 question No promise 1 verse of fulfilled prophecy6 distinct message from God(1:2; 2:10; 3:2;

4:4,9,10)Date and Place: Written in Palestine about

853-824 B.C