LESSON 33 THE BOOK OF JONAH

LESSON 33 THE BOOK OF JONAH

Jonah was a prophet in the Northern Kingdom who was called on to deliver a sermon the Gentile city called Nineveh. Jonah was a contemporary of Jeroboam II of Israel who ministered after the time of Elisha and just before the time of Amos and Hosea (782-753 B.C.) Jonah means "dove." He resided at Gathhepher, a village three miles from Nazareth. II Kings 14:25_______________________________________

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Jonah resists the call to go and preach to Nineveh, located northeast, and flees in the opposite direction to Tarshish. After graduating from "Whale University" God provides the transportation and message that was to be delivered. True repentance is defined and experienced in this city. Jonah is unhappy with the results and is taught a lesson of compassion.

The central message in Jonah is ARISE - GO - PREACH (1:2 & 3:2).

The key verse is Jonah 2:9 SALVATION IS OF THE LORD.

There are four events in the life of Jonah that should be noted:

Jonah Flees Chapter 1 "I Won't Go"

Jonah Prays Chapter 2 "I Will Go"

Jonah Preaches Chapter 3 "I'm Here"

Jonah Learns Chapter 4 "I shouldn't Have Come"

CHRIST IN JONAH

Jonah is the only prophet whom Jesus likened unto himself. Jonahs' experience is a figure of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

Matthew 12:39-40___________________________________________

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SURVEY OF JONAH

Jonahs' First Commission

Jonahs' Second Commission

When Jonah received the First Commission he ran in the opposite direction. It seems that everything obeyed God but Jonah, the sea, the lots, the sailors, the fish, the Ninevites, the plant, the worm, and the east wind. In a unique prayer closet, Jonah repented and was delivered. NOTE: True repentance always brings deliverance.

When Jonah received the second commission, he arose and went. Jesus said in Luke 11:32_____________________________________________

In Chapter 4 we see why Jonah refused to go the first time. He said; "I knew you would be a merciful God." Jonah is taught a lesson with a gourd and a worm.