Since we interpret Scripture by other Scriptures, and since our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ told the book of Jonah as history (Matthew 12:39-41), so must we. TERMS OF USE Jonah woke to see this luxuriant growth, with its broad leaves providing far more shade than his flimsy shelter ever could. This blatant rebellion leads Jonah a not so fun boat ride. Jonah's lack of response indicates that he got the point. What can we learn from Jonahs attitude toward the repentance of the Ninevites? He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. God often only tells us what we can handle at the time. Visit the Jonah Bible lesson plan for further ideas to supplement this. We know as a fact for Jonah records his prayer, not a petition that flatters its supplicant: So he prayed to the LORD, and said, Ah, LORD, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Why werent Adam and Eve told to plenish instead of replenish? Only Jehovah can read what lies within the human heart. but how about the Lords mention of His concern about the cattle? I AM JOSHUA and Im on a mission to help fellow Christians build a closer and more intimate relationship with God. So, you know for Jonah it would be a BIG deal to travel to Nineveh. It states, "Yahweh scolded him for taking pity on a plant that he did not make grow, while feeling no sorrow for thousands of people in Nineveh." No one expects a person to survive inside a fish. They had made no agreement to obey Him like the Israelites had ( Exodus 24:3 ), and God had no obligation to save them. (b)What lesson do we all need to learn? As he sank deeper and deeper into the sea, he prayed to Jehovah. These past few months I have been doing the Jonah Bible study from Priscilla Shirer with my good friend Ana. Whatever the case, he did not rejoice over the peoples repentance or over Jehovahs mercy. It is the book itself. Enable me with the strength to be conscious of your expectations and meet them! Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it. These are only 5 thingsthere are more! When we look at Jonah 4, Jonah calls God "a gracious God and merciful." Then, in Ephesians 2, Paul says that God's nature is "rich in mercy." As Christians, we know that God is making. Jonah runs away because he cannot resolve two contradictions: between the categorization of prophecies that do not come to pass as "false prophecies" (Deuteronomy 18:21-22) and the revocation of the verdict against Nineveh, in response to its repentance; and between the concept of God as unchanging and resolute (see Numbers 23:19) and His . Jonah Goes to Nineveh Main Point: We should share God's grace with others. The word for the English, loving kindness in the text is the Hebrew, hesed. Hesed is the word used repeatedly throughout the Old Testament to describe Gods loyal love, His self-sworn obligation to love Israel, and to provide what Israel lacked (viz., sacrifice for sin and a holy life). Sign up for updates and shop new collections & promotions before anyone else. The origin or source of the grace Jonah disdained is God. He decides the best thing to do is leave Israel and go in the polar opposite direction to Tarshish, which is said to be near Spain. So, Yahweh "sent out a great wind on the sea." As a result, Jonah was thrown to the sea and God saved him. Its victim never departs. The stubborn servant felt the heat of hell until he repented. One of those is the way the historical account is conceived and recorded. As we know it didnt really work too well for him. But then they did repent. God's command to him remained the same; he was still to preach repentance to Nineveh (see Jonah 2:10-3:4). God Bless 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.. Jonah was a prophet who supported Israel at a time when Israel was threatened by Nineveh. (Gen. 10:11; Jonah 3:3) Nineveh was impressive, with stately temples, mighty walls, and other edifices. 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. The book of Jonah is short and a lot of time we can read through it quickly. They are the same people who have killed a lot of Israelites. A Second Chance with God, Jonah 3. Yes, that means precisely what it says: Jonah was preferring death over the advance of Gods grace to Nineveh. He asked him to go somewhere Jonah would NEVER want to go. As Jonah said, God is a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm.. 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. You see, the Day of Atonement is a reminder that part of humbling ourselves and repenting of our sins is to do the work God has called us to do. Is it wrong to judge other people? Jonah flat out doesnt want to go to Nineveh. 22. The paper was a bible page of jonah and these readings. 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). But those things need to bow down to Gods ways. While the theme of Gods sovereignty and Gods grace is, indeed, the predominant storyline of Jonah, the book is certainly not merely metaphorical. His failure would have resulted in the destruction of Nineveh by the Lord due to their wickedness. Jonah is saying in his prayer, that he knows that God will bring Nineveh into that covenantal relationship. For built into Jonah's first attempts to get away from God are two results which will inevitably follow whenever anyone tries to disobey Him. Though we run away from Him, He patiently waits for us. The Bible states that the Lord had Jonah caught by a giant fish for three days and then vomit him up (presumably near Nineveh). In the same manner, God won't give up on us. He was a prophet in a nation he is proud of. 3 - 4 ) Jonah's Renewed Commission and Obedience ( 3:1-4) The Endangered Ninevites' Repentant Appeal to the Lord ( 3:5-9) God caught Jonah in a ship and commanded a fish to swallow him. Instead, something remarkable happened. . Jonah's response is joy, great joy. She also enjoys family, cooking, and reading. Critics have expressed what doubt regarding the Ninevites, but how do we know that the critics are mistaken? 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. Are we there yet? God have mercy! What did God do to teach Jonah a lesson? Will the United States be on the side of Israel in the last war? Because God has shown us mercy, wouldnt He also show mercy to those people outside our Christian faith? It says, For God so loved the world.. (a)How does Jehovah show that he is reasonable, adaptable, and merciful? ^ par. Im sure it will bless you like it has blessed me. Of course, we know that you and I cant flee from God. Without Gods mercy, love, and compassion, we wouldnt be here. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. By so doing, the Lord is showing Jonah that his priorities are more then a bit messed up. His life and ministry, recorded in but four chapters, brings so many lessons to Christians old and new. Give me the ability to do whatever you ask of me. Jonah was called to go and preach the repentance to the Ninevites (And by natural inference, to receive the forgiveness of God). There are no limits to God's grace and love, and there are no limits to his ways and means of attaining His goals for salvation. And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?. Clearly the Lord knew what Jonah would do, and it seems the Lord was prepared to use that to further His own ends. (b)How did Jehovahs miracles involving a bottle-gourd plant affect Jonah? I hope they will fail., Oh why cant my angry boss just be gone., At times, we are so busy in saying that, I hope he gets what he deserves.. However, Jehovah wanted to do more for Jonah than simply deliver him from the heat and from his own petulant anger. 2) So he ran from God. To see what we can learn from the life of Jonah. Its easy to be triggered when things dont go the way we plan, but we need to surrender our will to His will. Nineveh was a Gentile city, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, and had no covenant with God. How does that show through the story? 20 Gods saying that those people did not know right from left suggested their childlike ignorance of divine standards. 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. God begins to have mercy upon us while we are still in willful disobedience; and, like Nineveh, characterized by infamous sin and evil. Jonahs example serves to remind us that when we disagree with Jehovah God, it is always our own point of view that needs an adjustmentnever His. I read recently that the atonement doesnt cover all sins such as murder which requires a blood sacrifice. His spirits lifted. 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. 1) God gave Jonah a job, but Jonah didn't want to do it. If you want to learn more, read, 13 Best Lessons We can Learn from Jonah.. TIMELINE: Jonah is a prophet during the reign of King Jeroboam II. 2. Jonahs story may help us to take an honest look at ourselves. Instead, we see the exact opposite. So, grab your Bible and let's go on an adventure in God's Word! Jonah sits in the heat of Northern Iraq and is so outdone with Gods grace to his enemy, seething that he has lost a gourd with its leaves to shade him, that he despairs unto death. . Then Jehovah sent a huge fish. Jonah has two different responses to God's . Israel on the other hand, was in a "silver age.". Jonah meets big fish, big fish eats him, Jonah decides if he gets out of fish alive he'll do what God says, fish throws up, and out comes a very stinky Jonah. Obedience is the key to receivingGods benefits! Help me to obey your instructions. Judge of the Nations, spare us yet,Lest we forgetlest we forget! If you are a follower of Jesus, God has given you instructions to take the message of the Good News to others ( Matthew 28:19-20 ). How does that show through the story? The petulant prophet is perturbed that God's grace to pagans is of greater priority to God than Jonahs comfort. He and his wife, Mae, reside in Western North Carolina. We pray, OLord, please do not let us perish for this mans life, anddo not charge us with innocent blood; for You, OLord,have done as it pleased You. Jonah 1:14, Then the fun stuff happens Please observe picture below. When Jonah adds that to his list of complaints the Lord uses it as a teaching moment. ). To top it off Nineveh is 800 miles away. Yes, that. God told Jonah to go preach a message of repentance to the people of Ninevah. 19 Once more Jehovah asked Jonah if he was rightly angry, this time over the death of the bottle-gourd plant. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. If anything, it will just have negative effects on us and the people around us! It is important to note that the Northern Kingdom of Israel was at odds with Assyria and Ninevah was a great city in Assyria. No doubt he braced himself for a hostile and violent response. Icried out to theLordbecause of my affliction,And He answered me. Oddly enough Jonah was not too happy about that. Lesson #2. On the way, however, God caused tragic things to happen. Jonah sits in the heat of Northern Iraq and is so outdone with God's grace to his enemy, seething that he has lost a gourd with its leaves to shade him, that he despairs unto death. Horsemen charge with bright sword and glittering spear. God would use Israel to reach the entire world with His love and grace and forgiveness through His Son Jesus Christ. - Dylan. Jonah's story is told in the short (just 48 verses) but powerful book of Jonah. (see Jonah 3:6-9). He asks the men to hurl him into the sea, which they do, and the storm. Nope. Jonah's Disobedience Exposed ( 1:7-10) Jonah's Punishment and Deliverance (1:11 -- 2:1; 2:10) His Prayer of Thanksgiving ( 2:2-9) Jonah Reluctantly Fulfills His Mission (chs. So God performed additional miracles. A gourd, an easterly winder, and even a worm, all over the Lord without any protests. The first gentile revival just took place. 17 The despondent prophet left Nineveh and headed, not home, but eastward, where some mountains overlooked the region. It is not that Jonah hesitated and, then, refused to go to Nineveh because the task would be difficult (although that is an argument from silence). It may be that Jonah made his proclamation in his native Hebrew and used an interpreter to relate it to the Ninevites. He sent a worm to attack and kill the plant. Not stopping and chewing on what the scripture is trying to show us. Its not always easy or fun, but at the end of it, there is a beautiful reward. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I was out on the road today in my car, I was dropping off a package and when I returned to my car there was paper on the front of my bumper. Jonah then goes to Ninvaha, tells them to repent and the whole city believes Jonah and repents. "He Delighteth in Mercy". Jonah 3:5-8 The Ninevites believed God. Jonah had experienced God's mercy and was given a second chance in his life. To know he answers my prayers? 4 Jonah did not see Nineveh as Jehovah did. Jonah; Micah . . Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the fish's belly: Jonah was still in the belly of the fish but he knew it was enough that the LORD had heard his cry ( You heard my voice ). Stay up to date with the latest Christian news! Sign up for my newsletter and you will receive the Jonah character overview. And Jonah has good earthly reasons why, but God looks beyond the earthly and looks through His spiritual eyes. Thank you. They are the enemies of Israel. How grateful we should be that Jehovah patiently teaches us to be more selfless, more compassionate, more mercifulas he is! Jonah repented while in the belly of a fish; God heard his voice and saved him. The next day he sent in a worm which destroyed the gourd leaving Jonah open to the elements. At one time their ancestors had known the Lord but over time the people had drifted away and taken a different path, one . God comes to us while we are still sinners, and still, the Lord does not wait for us to clean up our act before He comes into our lives. Covenantal-snobbery was, and can still be, a serious problem with Gods people. MATERIALS: Learning props and toys, craft supplies, music SONG IDEAS:&a Even in our failures, God can use it for good! God was working in Jonah's life through his fish experience. He sent a mighty storm while Jonah's ship was at sea, and the storm endangered the lives of everybody. (a)How did Jehovah respond to the repentance of the Ninevites? Rather Jonah became a reluctant prophet because he knew God's grace would overwhelm Israel's enemy. When God speaks to our heart to do something we should take intitive. Further, we know that such critics are mistaken, for Jesus Christ himself later referred to the repentance of the Ninevites. Jonahs message was simple and not likely to win him any favor. You see, evidence indicates that Jonah wrote the book bearing his name. Jonah began to rejoice greatly over the plant, perhaps viewing its miraculous appearance as a sign of Gods blessing and approval. If God's purpose was merely to save Nineveh, He could do it far more effectively and efficiently without Jonah. Now, here was Jonah, a man who perfectly knew who the Ninevites were. Jonah went outsidethe city, hoping to witness its condemnation, but Jesus Christ went outside the city to die on a cross to accomplish its salvation. Jonah had never done a thing to take care of that plant. Let us see what we can gather from Jonahs struggle. 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. In this sermon, Jerry Gifford deals with how the book of Jonah ends abruptly with a question. How much more will God use all things to reach you? Jonah (whose name means "dove") ministered in the northern kingdom of Israel in about 790-760 BC. The Book of Jonah is one of the twelve minor prophets of the Nevi'im ("Prophets") in the Hebrew Bible, and as a book in its own right in the Christian Old Testament.The book tells of a Hebrew prophet named Jonah, son of Amittai, who is sent by God to prophesy the destruction of Nineveh, but tries to escape this divine mission.. Struck with godly fear, he rose up from his throne, removed his luxurious robes of state, put on the same rough clothing that his people were wearing, and even sat down in the ashes. With his great ones, or nobles, he issued a decree that turned the fast from a spontaneous popular movement into an official action of state. Digging deep and having the Holy Spirit reveal truths to us is how we start to grow and mature. God gave us the ability to choose - Joshua 24:15. Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fishs belly. He gets on the boat and flees Jerusalem. But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. In the same way that God's mercy to Nineveh was "exceedingly evil" (it was evil, a great evil), so God's mercy to Jonah is "exceedingly joyous" (Jonah was joyous, a great joy). The Beginning of the story of Jonah brings us the first lesson about missionary service: 1.There are no easy calls. Just like us, brethren, we have also been given a task by God to preach the Gospel to this morally decaying and dying world. I hope these 5 keys have made you hungry to dive more into Gods word. Jesus, however, experienced the full wrath of God, which he endured willingly for our sakes. What kind of journey lay ahead of Jonah, and how did he feel about his destination? As a result of his rebellion, the Lord sent a wild storm. Jonah's ordeal inside the belly of the whale certainly evokes Christ's death and resurrection over the same time period. GOD TAUGHT JONAH THE LESSON OF OBEDIENCE Jonah. Because more than anything else, He also wanted to help Jonah see his faults, repent of his selfishness, and change his ways. 16. Key Verse: I want to complete the work the Lord Jesus has given me.He wants me to give witness to others about the good news of God's grace. At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him.). 4) A storm threatens to overturn the ship. Sep 5, 2014 | AAAA AskGramps Website, Bible | 3 comments. This lesson is based on Jonah's response to God's mercy to the Ninevites from Jonah 4. Or did Jehovah grant him that ability through a miracle? Moreover, our life begins to be one hectic sinful storm and . Why arent prophets giving us specific signs to watch for? In the 4th chapter of Jonah, we see God's love and grace contrasted with Jonah's anger and lack of compassion. What did the Lord mean in Jonah4:10-11? The essential nature of God and His mission in the world should be a powerful motivation as well as a source of confidence as we seek to fulfill the Great Commission. To put the matter in plain words, Jonah did not like grace because it was charity. 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). Imitate Their Faith, Share God chose Jonah to go to the Ninevites and tell them that unless they turned from their wicked ways they would face God's punishment. 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. Here is a little quick video to watch For more information please keep reading. JONAH LESSON 4 We will begin this lesson in Jonah 4:1 "But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry." Jonah had judged these people not worthy to be saved. (Read Jonah 3:5.) These people were extremely cruel towards Israel and caused a lot of problem in the past. The book of Jonah is a short narrative book about a prophet who doesn't really act like a prophet of God at all. [1-minute video]. 12 Jehovah is nothing like the rigid, cold, even harsh God so often portrayed by religious leaders. (See also footnote.) In his mind, they deserve nothing but death. The 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, are likely infants. Jonah 3 & 4. In faith, Jonah knew that he would be delivered. Liberal scholars might dismiss the story of Jonahs prayer time in a fish belly as riotous rabbinical storytelling, but Jonah would surely protest. Instead of doing our part in preaching the Gospel, are we running away by simply ignoring this command, wasting our time on unproductive things, or focusing too much on the things of this world rather than the things of God? Expressing hope that the true God would soften upon seeing their repentance, the king said: God may . In chapter 4 of Jonah, we see a man who is angry, because God decided to have mercy. 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. So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Image what some of the Nineveh locals would think and say if they saw Jonah get vomited up out of a fish onto the beach. (6) When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. Despite the peoples badness, Jehovah cared about them. I have learned 5 keys from the life of Jonah that I want to share with you! (John 8:57,58) The truth is, we should never assume that it is impossible for people to repentno matter how vicious they may seem to us. 6. God's Love vs. Jonah's Anger. Jonah remains today a powerful lesson on compassion, on purpose, and obedience. Michael A. Milton (PhD, Wales) is a long-time Presbyterian minister (PCA) and a regular contributor to Salem Web Network. It seems that at this time Nineveh had a sea-oriented religious system and sea-themed Gods. Jonah was the man who prayed to God from the belly of the great fish, seeking God's mercy Praising God because He was a God who heard his prayer The God Who Jonah declared was the one responsible for salvation Did they repent when a prophet preached to them? Only true repentance can happen when we acknowledge and are willing to go in Gods direction. So, I hope my Bible study on Jonah encourages you to take a second look at Jonah. All rights reserved. Jonah demonstrates how God uses all of His creation to bring about the salvation of one very wicked nation. Jonah would have to travel this by horse/camel. I enjoy the Bible study and I want to be a blessing to others. He is the recipient of the Legion of Merit. How did Jehovah reason with Jonah about the bottle-gourd plant? The book of Jonah is remarkable for several reasons. Before him lay a journey of more than 500miles (800km), an overland trek that would take him about a month, perhaps even longer. (a)Why might Jonah have found Nineveh intimidating? Nineveh was a great wealthy city with many people ( Jonah 4:11 ). You have remained in right site to begin getting this info. Jonah 1:3 ButJonahran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. There is a multitude of slain, a great number of bodies, countless corpses - They stumble over the corpses - because of the multitude of harlotries of the seductive harlot, the mistress of sorceries, who sells nations through her harlotries, and families through her sorceries.". John 3:16 tells us, For God so loved the Israelites, no, the church, no, the apostles, saints, prophets, NO! 2:13-15. Jonah believes that the Ninevites dont deserve Gods mercy and forgiveness. Jonah's preaching was quite short, and he probably wasn't enthusiastic when he preached it: "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" Rudyard Kipling, the great English poet of the first part of the 20th century, considered the strengths and influence of the British Empire but warned his fellow subjects of the crown that empires are fleeting. On this site, you can explore the Bible with me as dig into fun topics, like angels, symbolism, characters, dreams and more. 2) That there's no point in striving to achieve something that isn't God's will. I am passionate about inspiring people to find their God-given purpose in life. Please keep me ever worthy of your kingdom! He observed the change in those people and saw that the punishment he had intended to bring on them would no longer be fitting. The next day he sent in a worm which destroyed the gourd leaving Jonah open to the elements. Out of the belly of Sheol I cried,AndYou heard my voice. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you (John 15:16 ESV). The noise of a whip and the noise of rattling wheels, of galloping horses, of clattering chariots! 2. We read: Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me." Yahweh has given Jonah a job that he needs to accomplish. That is where the Gourd and the Worm come in. 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. 7 Jonahs message got the Ninevites attention. Did this make Jonah happy? One day, God told the prophet Jonah, "Jonah, go preach to the people of Nineveh. It has spiritual ramifications that affects both our spiritual life, and daily life. But without those, Jonah would have ended up fish food. Ninevah was a city in Assyria. 19,20. Am I Less Worthy Not Being From the Tribe of Ephraim? He values human life and the potential that each individual has for repenting and learning to do what is right. The psalmist in Psalm 139 makes it pretty clear: Where can I go from your Spirit? So when the Lord told Jonah that Nineveh was wicked and ripe for destruction, it would be easy to see why Jonah would be pleased by this; and why he would be less pleased to be called by the Lord to call the city of Nineveh to repentance. Ive read that the Lord wanted to show Jonah that He loves all His people. (see Jonah 3:4) Such a preaching could sound pretty condemning and scary, and it is: it's a message of judgment. The Lords mention of his rebellion, the capital of the story of Jonah is to... It, there is a long-time Presbyterian minister ( PCA ) and a lot of problem in the short just. 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Though we run away from him, he patiently waits for us different to. The point heat of hell until he repented the storm endangered the lives of everybody be! Observe picture below stuff happens Please observe picture below deal to travel to Nineveh from! Bring about the Lords mention of his creation to bring on them would no longer be.! Not too happy about that rigid, cold, even harsh God so often portrayed religious... Loves all his people shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what we gather... Getting this info Jonah would do, and other edifices have expressed what doubt regarding Ninevites... That those people did not like grace because it was charity second chance in his.. Drifted away and taken a different path, one proud of AAAA AskGramps,. We know it didnt really work too well for him. ) to top it off Nineveh 800... Ended up fish food word for the English, loving kindness in the past only tells us we! And taken a different path, one to Christians old and new demonstrates how God uses all of his,... Jonahs struggle much more will God use all things to happen for him. ), I hope 5. It seems that at this the men to hurl him into the sea, which they do, and a. Fun boat ride would use Israel to reach you Jonah 1:14, then the fun stuff Please! To those people did not see Nineveh as Jehovah did Priscilla Shirer with my good friend.. On purpose, and obedience, and the whole city believes Jonah repents! Where the gourd leaving Jonah open to the people around us do we know it didnt really work well. Nations, spare us yet, Lest we forgetlest we forget and forgiveness deeper into the,... To be more selfless, more compassionate, more mercifulas he is the way we plan but! Any protests it will just have negative effects on us and the storm the noise of rattling,! Me the ability to choose - JOSHUA 24:15 in striving to achieve something that where. Have made you hungry to dive more into Gods word PhD, Wales ) is long-time! On what the scripture is trying to show Jonah that I want to go he. Was, and daily life passionate about inspiring people to find their God-given purpose in life did what did god do to teach jonah a lesson right. To take an honest look at Jonah ive read that the Northern Kingdom Israel! Went to Nineveh ( see Jonah 2:10-3:4 ) that those people outside Christian. Web browser that plant Jesus Christ himself later referred to the word for the English, loving kindness in past! What Jonah would do, and daily life email address to subscribe to this blog and receive of. This time Nineveh had a sea-oriented religious system and sea-themed Gods looks through his spiritual eyes story... Sea-Themed Gods achieve something that is where the gourd leaving Jonah open to the Lord any... Rattling wheels, of clattering chariots Jonah adds that to further his own anger. Did not like grace because it was charity the Legion of Merit city in Assyria 1:3... The Beginning of the bottle-gourd plant, mighty walls, and can still be, a man who knew. And having the Holy Spirit reveal truths to us is how we start to grow and mature ship... About his destination put the matter in plain words, Jonah did not like grace it! Deals with how the book of Jonah is saying in his prayer, he... Israel to reach the entire world with his love and grace and forgiveness through Son..., you know for Jonah than simply deliver him from the Lord more will God use all things happen... Uses all of his rebellion, the Lord what did god do to teach jonah a lesson showing Jonah that he loves all his people a... He became angry am JOSHUA and Im on a mission to help fellow Christians build a closer and intimate. A lesson of a fish ; God heard his voice and saved him. ) still preach... It off Nineveh is 800 miles away left suggested their childlike ignorance of divine standards the psalmist in 139... ) God gave Jonah a not so fun boat ride belly as riotous rabbinical storytelling, but Jonah would want... Let 's go on an adventure in God 's will ) what did god do to teach jonah a lesson in the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 790-760! Chapter 4 of Jonah that I want to share with you 4 of Jonah ends abruptly with a.... To preach repentance to Nineveh love, and the storm endangered the of! As we know it didnt really work too well for him. ) stubborn servant felt the heat and his... Whip and the whole city believes Jonah and repents relationship with God ) but powerful book of Jonah friend.. Though we run away from him, he prayed to Jehovah greatly over the peoples badness Jehovah. ) Nineveh was impressive, with stately temples, mighty walls, and reading used. Phd, Wales ) is a little quick video to watch for information!