ASTONISHING FACTS ABOUT JONAH
INTRODUCTION
Jonah has attracted attention because of the sensational “fish story.” Anytime we consider the greatness of God’s power, we will be amazed.
There are other things in the book of Jonah that are startling, astonishing, and amazing!
I. It Is Amazing That God’s Preacher Would Resent God’s Compassion.
Jonah knew the compassionate character of God.
Jonah 4:2 – “He prayed to the Lord, ‘O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.”
Jonah resented God’s mercy.Jonah 4:1-3 – “But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. Now O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than live.”
Some preachers prefer “condemning” more than “saving.” You can preach a better sermon with your life than your lips.
Luke 15:1-2 – “Now the tax collectors and ‘sinners’ were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
A shepherd will leave 99 to go after one lost sheep. 1/100
A woman will search for one lost coin. 1/10
A father will wait on one lost son. ½
The cross tells how far God will go to rescue the perishing.
II. It Is Amazing That Heathen Sailors Would Have More Compassion On Another Human Being Than Did A Prophet Of God!
Jonah 1:13-15 – “Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. Then they cried to the Lord, ‘O Lord, please do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, O Lord, have done as you pleased, then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm.”
Jonah 4:11 – “But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?”
The heathen sailors were more concerned about Jonah’s life than Jonah was concerned over the spiritual welfare of 120,000 Ninevites.
People may preach the truth, but not care and love people. It is a sad day when people in error show more compassion and love on suffering humanity than does the Church.
Matthew 5:38-48 – “You have heard that it was said, “Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.” But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give the one who asks you and do not turn away from the one that wants to borrow from you.”
“You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
III. It Is Amazing How The People Of Nineveh, As Wicked As They Were Could So Wonderfully
Repent.
There was a great revival despite the evangelist.
Nineveh was known for its wickedness.
We sometimes think, “Oh, they won’t change. Preaching fails that only charms not changes.
Jonah 3:1-10 – “Then the word of the Lord came a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you. Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very important city – a visit required 3 days. On the first day, Jonah started into the city. He proclaimed: Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned. The Nineveh’s believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from is throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh:
By the decree of the king and his nobles:
“Do not let any man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently upon God. Let them give up
their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.”
When god saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.” True Repentance!
IV. It Is Astonishing That A Preacher Could Be So Successful Yet Be So Disappointed!
The power is in the word: Rom. 1:16 – “It is the power of God unto salvation.”
In terms of numbers, Jonah was the most successful on record.
Jonah was not happy – because his heart was far from what it should have been.
Isaiah 55:11 – “…so is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
Luke 15:7 – “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
Did Jonah rejoice? – He was only obeying on Command. Where is the heart of Jonah?
He who only works for pay will be dissatisfied with the returns.
We can easily forget what business we are in. Jonah was ready to let a city perish. But he was angry over the loss of shade. Some are more concerned about air conditioning than they are saving a lost.
CONCLUSION
How could one resent God’s compassion?
How can the lost be more concerned than the saved?
How could those who were so wicked come to God?
How could a preacher who’s preaching was receiving without dispute be so disappointed?
Amazing things in the book of Jonah!!!
It is amazing how God’s grace can cover your sins!
Richard Baxter once said – “I preach as never sure to preach again and as a dying man to dying men.
