Read:
Chapter 3 and as much of Jonah possible.
Name:__________________________________________Date:______________________
Vital
Statistics:
PURPOSE:
To
show the extent of God’s Grace – the message of salvation is for all people.
AUTHOR:
Jonah,
a native of Galilee, son of Amittai
and one of the earlier prophets (II Kings 14:25) the prophet of Mercy on the
Gentiles, who ministered to the
House of Israel and to Assyria. His name means “Dove”.
TO
WHOM WRITTEN:
Israel, the Northern Kingdom, and God’s people everywhere.
DATE
WRITTEN:
Covers
a period of about 15 years during the reigns of the Jehoash and Jeroboam II of
Israel. Possibly written between ________B.C
& __________B.C.
SETTING:
Jonah
actually preceded Amos and ministered under Jeroboam II, Israel’s most
powerful King. Assyria was Israel’s great enemy, and Israel was conquered by
them in 722 B.C. Nineveh’s repentance must have been short-lived.
KEY
VERSES:
"Arise,
go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid
thee…. And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God
repented of the evil, that He had said that He would do unto them; and He did it
not.” (3:2,10)
KEY
PEOPLE:
Jonah,
the boat’s captain and crew, and the people of
Nineveh.
KEY
PLACES:
Joppa,
Nineveh
SPECIAL
FEATURES UNIQUE TO JONAH:
This book is different from the other prophetic books because it tells the story of the prophet and does not center on the prophecies. In fact, only one verse summaries his message (3:4). It is also mentioned by Jesus as a picture of His death and resurrection (Matthew 12:38-42).
THE
BLUEPRINT:
A.)
JONAH FORSAKES HIS MISSION (1:1-2:10)
B.)
JONAH FULFILLS HIS MISSION (3:1-4:11)
MEGATHEMES
FOUND IN THE BOOK OF JONAH:
God Sovereignty – When God wants to do a thing, He will do it despite an
unwilling prophet.
God’s message to all the world – Through Jonah, God reminded Israel of their missionary purpose, even to share
the
“Good News” with their enemies.
Repentance – When the reluctant preacher went to Nineveh, there was a great response. The people repented and
turned to God. This was a powerful rebuke to Israel who thought themselves better and yet refused to
respond to
God’s message. God will forgive all those who turn from their sins.
God’s Compassion – God’s message of love and compassion was not for the Jews alone. God loves all people.
Although the Assyrians didn’t deserve it God spared them. He didn’t reject Jonah for trying to abort his
mission. God
has great love, patience and forgiveness.
QUESTIONS:
1.)
Where did Jonah flee when God called him?
________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
2.)
Where was Jonah when the Captain of the ship found him?
_____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
3.)
What did God prepare for Jonah?
________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
4.)
How large a city was Niveveh?
__________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
5.)
What was Jonah’s response to the repentance of the people?
___________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
6.)
What lesson did God teach Jonah through a gourd?
___________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
SUMMARY:
In
Jonah, we find the great Gentile city of Nineveh repenting and turning to God
under the Reluctant preaching of the prophet Jonah. In chapter one we see Jonah
fleeing from the presence of the Lord, going down to Joppa, down into the ship,
and finally down into the belly of the fish which God had prepared. Then in
chapter two he prays to God and is delivered from the fish.
In
chapter 3 Jonah finally delivers God’s message to Nineveh and the whole city
repents, but in chapter 4 he is once again chastened by the Lord for being angry
when God does not fulfill Jonah’s
prophecy
by destroying Nineveh.
CHRIST
SEEN:
Christ is seen as “the Greater than Jonah” using Jonah’s experiences as a sign of His own death, burial and resurrection and of God’s mercy on the repentant Gentiles (Matthew 12:39-41)
Thank
you for studying with us today. At this point you may choose to either save an
unfinished assignment or submit it to the Pastor’s office for review and
feedback.
See
you next lesson: J
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