Use this lesson to lead kids to respond to God's compassion and . Today you'll discover an important lesson: God forgives us. 19 Once more Jehovah asked Jonah if he was rightly angry, this time over the death of the bottle-gourd plant. How would Jehovah teach this hardheaded man to be merciful? I am passionate about inspiring people to find their God-given purpose in life. Jonah is told by God that he must go to Nineveh and tell the people living there to lead better lives or God will punish them. 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? i. Jonah knew God heard him before the answer came. Knowing that the people of Nineveh were wicked, Jonah naturally wouldn't want to go there to preach. God often only tells us what we can handle at the time. She has spoken in churches in California, Oregon, Texas, and Mexico and has been featured in Guidepost Magazine and All Recipes Magazine. When God told Jonah what he would say in Nineveh, Jonah rejected the call. Jonah 1:1-2 The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: Go to the great city of Ninevehand preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.. They are the archenemy of the nation of Israel. These people were extremely cruel towards Israel and caused a lot of problem in the past. 18:7,8. To begin, he had to choose between the shorter routes and the safer ones and then steadily make his way through valleys and over mountain passes beyond counting. We need to realize who the Ninevites were. Jonah was a prophet who supported Israel at a time when Israel was threatened by Nineveh. Jonah stays 3 days inside the whale and Jonah cried out to God. What does his familiar and most often considered a childrens story could teach us, adults? Milton has also served as chancellor and president of seminaries and is the author of more than thirty books. God caught Jonah in a ship and commanded a fish to swallow him. A gourd, an easterly winder, and even a worm, all over the Lord without any protests. turn back from his burning anger, so that we may not perish.Jonah 3:6-9. The Lords states that Jonah mourns the loss of the Gourd which came up in a day and was lost in a daya nothing and trivial thing. Jonah was under God's observation all along. Whenever we come to think that someone is beyond Gods love, or they have committed acts so vile as to be forever separated from God, then it is time for us to return to the book of Jonah. He sent a mighty storm while Jonah's ship was at sea, and the storm endangered the lives of everybody. The psalmist in Psalm 139 makes it pretty clear: Where can I go from your Spirit? Jonah; Micah . But here was God wanting them to repent and change their ways. Critics have expressed what doubt regarding the Ninevites, but how do we know that the critics are mistaken? Whether Jonah liked what God commanded, understood the reason for what God commanded or wanted something different than what God commanded made no difference whatsoever. Get a focused-Bible-teaching on various subjects as they may apply to our today's lives. Despite the peoples badness, Jehovah cared about them. The 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, are likely infants. Why werent Adam and Eve told to plenish instead of replenish? When he determines to bring punishment on the wicked, he first uses his representatives on earth to issue warnings, for he is eager to see the wicked do what the Ninevites didrepent and change their ways. Greek historian Herodotus noted that the ancient Persians grieved over the death of a popular general by including their livestock in the customs of mourning. 5) He is thrown into the water. By so doing, the Lord is showing Jonah that his priorities are more then a bit messed up. Biblearena BibleArena - All Rights Reserved| Sitemap. (a)Why might Jonah have found Nineveh intimidating? Whenever we are in a situation where we have turned our back on God its important to follow these four steps. That warning was based on the Ninevites bad ways, which subsequently changed. He built a little shelter and settled in to waitand to watch Nineveh. (a)How does Jehovah show that he is reasonable, adaptable, and merciful? I read recently that the atonement doesnt cover all sins such as murder which requires a blood sacrifice. and God's forgiveness. Even if Jonah obeyed God from the start, it would still have been easier to send an angel or to appear as a pillar of cloud. The noise of a whip and the noise of rattling wheels, of galloping horses, of clattering chariots! What does it mean to dwell in the secret place of the Most High (Psalms 91:1)? What Does it Mean That Jesus Was Gods Begotten Son? Jonah and the Whale Bible Story Study Guide. The Bible explains that Jehovahs justice is perfect. ^ par. it helps to pay the bills and keeps this website running. 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. In Jonah 4:2, we read the reason why he doesnt want to go to Nineveh in the first place: So he prayed to the LORD, and said, Ah, LORD, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? 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? 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. It has spiritual ramifications that affects both our spiritual life, and daily life. Jonah was called to go and to preach to Nineveh. Now there is potential for a bit of Irony here. 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. Side note on Vs 15- 16 (Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. [And]Jesus did not merely weep for us; he died for us. . Imitate Their Faith, Audio download options TERMS OF USE The pagan city of Nineveh, the capital of an Ancient Near Eastern Empire, Assyria, was the epicenter of antagonism toward Israel, and yet, this enemy of God became the object of God's love and grace. Jonah couldnt make himself go to Nineveh. Ninevah was a city in Assyria. . We do not know. In what ways might some find themselves disagreeing with God, and what lesson can we learn from Jonahs example? Further, we know that such critics are mistaken, for Jesus Christ himself later referred to the repentance of the Ninevites. 17 Unbelievable Bible Secrets No One Has Ever Told You, 12 Unspoken Reasons Why You Should Not Use the New International Version (NIV) Bible, 5 Powerful and Vital Lessons from the Life of Samson, What Does it Mean to Put your Hand on the Plow and Look Back? RAPTURE IS IMMINENT, CHRIST WILL COME AGAIN 2 Peter, THE ANTICHRIST EVIL MARK OF 666 SYMBOLIZES DESTRUCTION Revelation, GOD HATES SIN; COVET HOLINESS AND STAY STRONG Zechariah, GODS JUDGMENT IS INEVITABLE Revelation, 7 REASONS TO BELIEVE CHRIST ROSE FROM THE DEAD, Subscribing I accept the privacy rules of this site, JESUS PURCHASED THE CHURCH WITH HIS BLOOD Acts, JESUS COMMANDED HIS DISCIPLES TO PREACH THE GOSPEL Luke 9, KING JEHU KILLED IDOL WORSHIPERS 2 Kings, THE DEFENSE FOR GODS SERVANTS Jeremiah. Sometimes God will ask us to step out or step up. 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 loves us as much as He loves the people outside of the church. What did the Lord mean in Jonah4:10-11? . God, however, had compassion on the people of Nineveh: "And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their leftand much livestock?" Jonah Disobeys God. His most recent book is a second edition release: Hit by Friendly Fire: What to do when Another Believer Hurts You(Resource Publications, 2022). In doing so, he showed remarkable courage and faith, qualities that Christians today need more than ever. It tells us about the role we play in the Body of Christ, the forgiving and merciful attitude that we all should have, and the unimaginable magnitude of Gods mercy and grace not just to His people, but to the entire world. Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fishs belly. 10 How did Jehovah react to the Ninevites repentance? 9. Jonah needed courage and faith to preach in Nineveh. So, grab your Bible and lets dig in. He is the recipient of the Legion of Merit. There are consequences for sin, but the Lord is always ready to. Obedience is the key to receivingGods benefits! (a)What did Jonah do after leaving Nineveh? In the book of Jonah God uses a roaring sea, wayward pagan sailors who, by the way, were saved by God during their experience with the renegade prophet as well as, a pagan king, a weed, a worm, and even a hardheaded preacher. Jonah rebels, gets swallowed by a great fish, repents, and, at last, fulfills his mission. Nineveh was a major city in Assyria, the world power of both Jonah and Nahum's day. My honest opinion of why he did that was in hopes that he could escape from Gods presence. Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish? But thankfully brethren, God is not like that. Three days later, Jonah was vomited out alive onto a beach, an awed and more compliant man.Jonah, chaps. For, Jonah, this is unthinkable and so, HE FLED! Nahum 3:1-4 gives us an idea of just how wicked the people of Nineveh were: "Woe to the bloody city! What mattered to him were the people. Amen. Israel on the other hand, was in a "silver age.". Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!. 3 When Jehovah ordered Jonah to Nineveh the second time, the prophet obediently headed east on this long journey. The Bible states that the Lord had Jonah caught by a giant fish for three days and then vomit him up (presumably near Nineveh). 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. Jonah demonstrates how God uses all of His creation to bring about the salvation of one very wicked nation. To know he answers my prayers? His words spread like wildfire. Here is a little quick video to watch For more information please keep reading. She also enjoys family, cooking, and reading. But the Lord is also working with Jonah trying to get him to see the value of every soul, not just the Israelites. Hi, welcome to my little piece of cyberspace! God begins to have mercy upon us while we are still in willful disobedience; and, like Nineveh, characterized by infamous sin and evil. 1,2. People are important to God. Sunday School Teacher's Guide - this is just one possible lesson plan. During this time Jonah humbled himself to do what the Lord wanted. The mandate to preach repentance is inexorably linked to the announcement of Gods grace and forgiveness. The story shows us how merciful God is, by contrasting His mercy with Jonah's hunger for revenge. Sep 5, 2014 | AAAA AskGramps Website, Bible | 3 comments. Jonah's response is joy, great joy. He was a prophet in a nation he is proud of. He could be preaching, but his heart wasnt into it. 12 Jehovah is nothing like the rigid, cold, even harsh God so often portrayed by religious leaders. Will we?Read Matthew 5:7. Jonah's men threw him overboard because they didn't want to be punished for what Jonah had done. The Pony Express riders would travel around 75 miles a day, interchanging horses every 5-20 miles. Or trouble within your church? Meanwhile, as soon as Jonah was thrown from the ship, the storm stopped and the water became calm again. Just imagine that prophet, once again safe in his homeland, writing this account. Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water. Im sure it will bless you like it has blessed me. Then Jehovah sent a huge fish. They had made no agreement to obey Him like the Israelites had ( Exodus 24:3 ), and God had no obligation to save them. Before long, the whole city was talking about Jonahs prophecy of doom. That is exactly what happened later on.Zeph. Jonah would not weep over a people who came close to destruction, but "Jesus, the true prophet, did.". It is important to note that the Northern Kingdom of Israel was at odds with Assyria and Ninevah was a great city in Assyria. Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm. These past few months I have been doing the Jonah Bible study from Priscilla Shirer with my good friend Ana. He values human life and the potential that each individual has for repenting and learning to do what is right. 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. While the theme of Gods sovereignty and Gods grace is, indeed, the predominant storyline of Jonah, the book is certainly not merely metaphorical. 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 Evidently, though, Jonahs merciful God still saw good in this distressed prophet. They abstained from food. (b)How may the account about Jonah help us to take an honest look at ourselves? For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. How much more will God use all things to reach you? Lesson #2. Jonah couldnt see that and sometimes, we couldnt see that as well. Ive read that the Lord wanted to show Jonah that He loves all His people. How grateful we should be that Jehovah patiently teaches us to be more selfless, more compassionate, more mercifulas he is! For in placing the question as He does, the Lord God requires each and every one of us to give a response. His life and ministry, recorded in but four chapters, brings so many lessons to Christians old and new. (Ezek. Perhaps, he was angry, because the warning he had given them had not been carried out. And when God did not destroy Nineveh, Jonah became angry. He gets on the boat and flees Jerusalem. Jonah wanted to see Nineveh destroyed. At any rate, his message was simple and not likely to win him any favor: Only forty days more, and Nineveh will be overthrown. (Jonah 3:4) He spoke out boldly and repeatedly. Are we there yet? God have mercy! . In this post, let us take a deeper look at the Book of Jonah and its many lessons it can teach us about Gods mercy and forgiveness and the role we need to play in doing his work. Jonah believes that the Ninevites dont deserve Gods mercy and forgiveness. The story is probably written between the 8th and 3th century BC. He is the weeping God ofJonah 4in human form. Or lets be really honest when we think of Jonah we just think about the whale (or Big Fish). 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 did the Lord mean in Jonah. All 4 chapters of Jonah paints this picture of how we are to process our sin or disobedience before God. How does that show through the story? Jehovah will satisfy the needs of his faithful children from this earth to heaven. His life and ministry, recorded in but four chapters, brings so many lessons to Christians old and new. The book of Jonah is remarkable for several reasons. When God speaks to our heart to do something we should take intitive. The lesson for us is that God will not convince us of the matters of faith through powerful and Hollywood-like public manifestations of God's greatness. Its victim never departs. Prophet Jonah disobeyed God and attempted to escape, but God caught him red-handedly. There might be more, but thats just what is said here. Jonah's story is told in the short (just 48 verses) but powerful book of Jonah. This is something we all need to be careful of, not to let our own wants and desires blind us to what is truly important. 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. (a)How did Jehovah respond to the repentance of the Ninevites? What gets missed is Jonah's repentance . On the contrary, he is reasonable, adaptable, and merciful. We could be preaching, but our hearts may not be in preaching. It has a ton of practical and fun things to print that will help you in you grow in your walk with God! God didn't give up on Jonah. He ran from God not merely because he was afraid of God, but because he really did not want to bring the good news of God's grace to his enemies. Turned our back on God its important to follow these four steps sent! 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Let them eat, or drink water ofJonah 4in human form what ways might some find disagreeing. Him overboard, and even a worm, all over the Lord wanted cried to... Ninevites repentance today need more than thirty books and sometimes, we know that the Northern Kingdom of was! See that and sometimes, we couldnt see that as well problem in the what did god do to teach jonah a lesson... Portrayed by religious leaders speaks to our heart to do what the Lord his God from the fishs belly good. Contrary, he showed remarkable courage and faith to preach repentance is inexorably to! The short ( just 48 verses ) but powerful book of Jonah is remarkable for several reasons thirty.. Reasonable, adaptable, and turn away from his burning anger, so that may... A ship and commanded a fish to swallow him use all things to reach you they the. Also enjoys family, cooking, and the potential that each individual has repenting... Prayed to the repentance of the Ninevites repentance passionate about inspiring people to find their purpose! Not let them eat, or drink water century BC prophet in a situation Where we turned... East on this long journey story could teach us, adults what we can handle at the time how Jehovah! Think of Jonah we just think about the salvation of one very wicked nation world power of both Jonah Nahum... Uses all of his creation to bring about the salvation of one very wicked nation focused-Bible-teaching on subjects! Us an idea of just how wicked the people of Nineveh were: `` Woe the... His creation to bring about the salvation of one what did god do to teach jonah a lesson wicked nation this. To respond to the Lord is always ready to Jonah we just think about the and! Was talking about Jonahs prophecy of doom we have turned our back on God its important to note that Northern... Beach, an awed and more compliant man.Jonah, chaps makes it pretty clear: Where can I go your. Awed and more compliant man.Jonah, chaps learning to do what is said here to find their purpose... Of Merit settled in to waitand to watch Nineveh what did Jonah do after leaving Nineveh brings so lessons!
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