Jonah

Jonah


Explain the historical background and purpose of the prophet: God sends Jonah on a mission to warn Nineveh of destruction by God. Jonah has a problem with this as he hates this cruel nation that has been the bane of Israel’s existence and increasingly more so all the time. This story took place at the end of Jeroboam II’s reign in Israel.

What does this book show about the character and nature of God? God’s infinite mercy is so clearly portrayed in this book. He asks Jonah if it’s right that he should be so angry about his assignment from God; angry because the plant died; angry that God should not have mercy for such a great city? These questions show us how much God is willing to wait for repentance . . .

What does the book show about God’s redemptive plan for mankind? The most obvious example of God’s redemptive plan is the reference from Jonah 1:17. Jesus uses Jonah’s disaster in the belly of the whale for three days to demonstrate and inform His disciples of his soon approaching death and resurrection. (Matt

Personal Application: I was blessed when this week’s church bulletin came in the mail with the story of the five year old boy and his Jonah-like interpretation of life. He his dream to ride the big John Deere tractor was right in front of him and he missed the signals because he was fearful and immature. How much is this true of me! I miss the breath of a good God, I pine for the most insignificant things when before me is a "John Deere" tractor that could plow acres of blessing that I could not imagine. Jonah had a "child size" plan that did not pan out. I’ve had many of those myself. But just as Little Mike went back to the fence a few days later, the giant Norwegian saw him, stopped the tractor, and did it again, made that sweeping motion of invitation . . . ."my smallness was now absorbed in his largeness."

Point of Passion: I have been slowly coming to the conclusion that the call of the prophet is very much like the call to intercession. The prophet is vocal and even demonstrates the message given him by clothing (or no clothing), or other visual means, while the intercessor is in the prayer closet. The heart is the same. Change. God change us. Change our world. Lord, use us on the street, or in the closet, or both!