Chronological Bible Study – July 7
There is a short introduction available for the book of Jonah. You can read it here.
Key Themes
The book of Jonah is a unique prophetic book in the Old Testament that tells the story of the prophet Jonah and his reluctant mission to the city of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, a major enemy of Israel. Unlike other prophetic books that focus on the prophet’s message, Jonah’s story highlights his personal struggle with God’s call and the broader themes of God’s mercy and sovereignty. The key themes include:
- God’s Mercy and Compassion: A central theme in the book of Jonah is God’s mercy and compassion, even toward those who are considered enemies of Israel. Despite Nineveh’s wickedness, God sends Jonah to warn the city of impending judgment, giving its inhabitants a chance to repent. This theme underscores the idea that God’s mercy is not limited to Israel but extends to all nations and peoples who turn from their sins.
- Repentance and Forgiveness: The book of Jonah highlights the power of repentance and God’s willingness to forgive those who sincerely turn from their evil ways. When the people of Nineveh, from the king down to the common citizens, respond to Jonah’s warning by repenting, God spares the city from destruction. This theme emphasizes that repentance can avert judgment and bring about God’s forgiveness, regardless of past sins.
- God’s Sovereignty: Throughout the book, God’s sovereignty is evident in His control over nature, events, and people. From the storm that threatens Jonah’s ship to the great fish that swallows him, and even to the plant that provides him shade, God orchestrates events to fulfill His purposes. This theme reinforces the idea that God’s will prevails, even when His chosen servants are reluctant or disobedient.
- Human Reluctance and Obedience: Jonah’s initial refusal to go to Nineveh and his subsequent journey reveal the struggle between human reluctance and divine command. Jonah’s disobedience contrasts with God’s persistent call, ultimately leading him to fulfill his mission despite his personal reservations. This theme explores the tension between personal desires and God’s will, highlighting the importance of obedience to God’s commands.
- Universal Reach of God’s Concern: The book of Jonah challenges the idea that God’s concern is limited to Israel alone. By sending Jonah to a foreign, pagan city, God demonstrates that His love and concern extend to all people, regardless of their nationality or status. This theme underscores the universal nature of God’s compassion and the idea that no one is beyond the reach of His grace.
- The Danger of Self-Righteousness: Jonah’s anger at God’s mercy toward Nineveh reveals a self-righteous attitude and a lack of compassion. Jonah is more concerned with his own expectations of justice than with the repentance and salvation of others. This theme warns against the dangers of self-righteousness and challenges readers to embrace God’s broader perspective of mercy and love.
The book of Jonah is a compelling narrative that explores profound themes of mercy, repentance, and the universal scope of God’s love. It challenges readers to consider their own attitudes toward God’s commands and the breadth of His compassion. Through Jonah’s story, the book encourages a deeper understanding of God’s sovereignty and a more inclusive view of His concern for all humanity.
What I Noticed Today (Jonah)
Jonah 1
In verses 1-2 the word of the Lord came to Jonah, son of Amittai, saying he should go to Nineveh and prophecy against them because their evil had come to God’s attention.
Note: The city of Nineveh was located on the Tigris river about 550 miles northeast of Samaria. It was the capital of the Assyrian Empire (opposite the city of Mosul in modern day Iraq).
In verse 3 rather than go to the northeast to Nineveh, Jonah went to Joppa (modern Jaffa) about 35 miles from Samaria and boarded a ship bound for Tarshish (in southern Spain, about 2,500 miles west.
In verses 4-16 there is a complex chiastic structure (where the theme of an early verse is repeated by a later verse:
- The theme of verses 4-5a is repeated in verses 15-16. Sailor’s fright.
- The theme of 5b in repeated in verse 14. Sailor’s pray.
- The theme of 5c is repeated by verse 13. Sailor’s unloading//rowing ship.
- The theme of verse 6 is repeated by verse 12. Captain & Jonah’s speeches.
- The theme of verse 7a is repeated in verses 10b-11. Sailor’s/Jonah’s words to each other.
- The theme of 7b-8 is repeated in verse 10a. Sailor’s questions to Jonah.
- The theme of verse 9 is in the middle. Jonah’s confession.
In verses 1-4 rather than speaking to Jonah, the Lord communicated via His power over the elements. The Lord sent a great storm that threatened to break up the ship. The sailors were afraid and dumped the ship’s cargo overboard to lighten their load.
Jonah was unaware of their peril because he had gone below decks and fallen asleep (Seriously!? How could he sleep through this storm and all the activity?). The ship’s captain woke Jonah up and implored him to call out to his God in hopes that He might save the ship. (I wonder what made him think Jonah and Jonah’s God could save the ship?).
In verses 7-10 the sailors cast lots to determine what the cause of this storm was and the lot fell to Jonah. Jonah confessed that he is a Hebrew who feared the Lord God who made the sea and the land. The sailors were afraid because they knew Jonah was trying to flee from the Lord.
In verses 11-17 The sailors asked Jonah what they should do, and he told them to throw him overboard. The sailors tried to row through the storm but couldn’t so they prayed to the Lord not to take Jonah’s life and not to blame them for throwing Jonah overboard. They threw Jonah overboard and made a sacrifice to God.
Note: In addressing the Lord as God, and in praying and offering a sacrifice, it seems they were more obedient to God than was Jonah!
The Lord then sent a great fish to swallow Jonah, and he was in the fish for three days and nights.
Jonah 2
In verses 1-2 Jonah begins to recount the prayer of thanksgiving he made to God. Jonah called out to God from the belly of the fish, and God heard him.
Note: Jonah refers to himself as being in the belly of Sheol. Presumably, Jonah had not died but thought of himself as being dead and entombed. Yet when he called out to God, God heard him. God hears us wherever we are!
In verses 3-7 Jonah describes his experience in the great fish and God’s deliverance. Jonah refers to this situation as a result of God’s actions: “you cast me into the deep” and “your waves…passed over me.” Jonah said even though he was driven away from God he had confidence that he would again be in God’s presence (the holy temple). Then, says Jonah, he began to sink into the depths of the sea in what he thought would be his grave (the land whose bars closed around me forever). Yet, just before death, God lifted him up from the pit (grave).
Note: In verse 6b a repentant Jonah turns to God in prayer affirming his personal faith in God when he says “O Lord my God.”
When Jonah remembered and prayed to the Lord, he knew his prayer had been heard.
In verses 8-9 Jonah warns against worshipping foreign idols because to do so is to forsake the steadfast love of God. But Jonah, full of thanksgiving, said he would sacrifice to God, do what he had promised to do, and shouted Salvation belongs to the Lord. And with that prayer and promise, God had the fish vomit Jonah out on dry land.
Note: In order to accomplish His objective to have Jonah preach repentance to the Ninevites God did five miracles in these two chapters:
- God caused the storm (1:4).
- God caused the lot to fall on Jonah (1:7).
- God calmed the sea as soon as Jonah was thrown overboard (1:15).
- God caused the fish to swallow Jonah (1:17).
- God caused the fish to vomit Jonah out onto dry land (2:10).
The result of these miracles by God (and perhaps another miracle); Jonah repented, pledged his faithfulness, and returned to God.
The result of these miracles by God (and perhaps another miracle); Jonah repented, pledged his faithfulness and returned to God.
Jonah 3
In verses 1-2 the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time telling him to go to Nineveh and preach against the city the message the Lord would give him.
Note: In Jonah 1:2 the Lord told Jonah why he was to preach; because their evil had come to His attention. In this second commissioning, God tells Jonah go and say what I tell you.
In verses 3-5 Jonah responded to God’s command and went to Nineveh. It was a very large city; it took three days for Jonah to walk across it. As he went, he warned the people of Nineveh, in 40 days Nineveh will be overthrown. The people of Nineveh from the greatest to the least believed God, called for a fast and put on sackcloth (sign of mourning).
Note: It seems the Ninevites had a conversion experience, but we don’t know if their conversion was sincere or an attempt to avoid judgment. If their conversion was sincere, it is hard to understand why they continued in their violence and why some 37 years later (722 B.C.) they destroyed Israel.
In verses 6-9 Jonah’s message reached the king of Nineveh. He covered himself in sackcloth and ashes and issued a proclamation for everyone to fast, to call out to God, and to turn from their evil ways and from violence in hopes that God would relent and they might not perish.
In verse 10 when God saw what they had done and how they had turned from their evil ways, He relented and did not bring disaster on them.
Jonah 4
In verses 1-4 Jonah was exceedingly upset that God relented in His punishment of the Ninevites. He claims he knew that because God was gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in love He would relent from His judgment and that is why he attempted to flee to Tarshish
Therefore, Jonah said, he would prefer to die than to live. God asked if he thought he had the right to be so angry.
In verses 5-11 without answering, Jonah left the city and made a small shelter for himself to see what would happen to the city. The Lord made a plant to grow up and give him some shade, and he was happy. But the next day, the Lord had a worm eat the plant and it withered. Then the next day, the Lord sent a hot wind and again Jonah said he wanted to die. God asked Jonah if he was right in being angry at the plant and Jonah said yes, angry enough to want to die.