INTRODUCTION TO JONAH

Jonah was a prophet who lived in Northern Israel before the Assyrian invasion and destruction of Samaria. He prophesied that Jeroboam II would restore Israel's borders, and this happened (2 Ki 14:25). Perhaps he knew that his country would someday be destroyed by the Assyrians. Nineveh was the capital of Assyria. So his hesitation in offering God's grace to Nineveh is understandable.

But Jonah had forgotten that God had called Israel to be a kingdom of priests, and that God wanted to use his people to bring all nations to repentance. God used a narrow-minded prophet to show his great world mission concern for all people. Jonah is like all of God's people who are ready to enjoy God's grace, but reluctant to share it with others.

In the New Testament, Jesus compared Jonah's three days and three nights in the belly of the fish to his own death and resurrection. Jonah's miraculous salvation from the raging ocean and from the belly of the fish is like resurrection from the dead. Jonah finally obeyed God and went to Nineveh with resurrection faith. Jesus praised the people of Nineveh for repenting when Jonah preached to them (Mt 12:39- 41). Through this reluctant prophet God saved a whole city of people and many cattle.

1. Go preach to Nineveh (1-3)

Jonah lived in Northern Israel at a time when the Assyrian Empire was a growing threat to Israel's existence. God's word came to Jonah to go to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, and preach against the sin that was rampant there. Jonah didn't want to go. He didn't want to warn the people of Nineveh of God's judgment. He didn't want them to repent and be saved. So he bought a one-way ticket on a ship going to Tarshish--in the opposite direction. He thought he could flee from God and from God's mission.

2. The great wind (4-7)

Jonah boarded the ship, went below the deck and went to sleep. People sometimes sleep when they have a rebellious spirit. But God didn't let Jonah alone. He sent a storm so violent that the ship began to break up. The captain awakened Jonah and told him to pray. Then the sailors cast lots to find out who was responsible for their trouble; the lot fell on Jonah.

Application: Lord, forgive my narrow mind and take away my rebellious spirit. Help me to obey your command and accept your mission.
One Word: Go and preach to Nineveh