SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
(Jonah 1:1-4) (1) “Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,” (2) “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.” (3) “But Jonah rose to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.” (4) “But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea so that the ship was like to be broken.”
(Jonah 1:5-7) (5) “Then the mariners were afraid and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship, and he lay and was fast asleep.” (6) “So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.”(7) “And they said every one to his fellow, Come and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.”
(Jonah 1:8-12) (8) “Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou?” (9) “And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.” (10) “Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.” (11) “Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous.” (12) “And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.
(Jonah 1:13-17) (13) “Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them.” (14) “Wherefore they cried unto the LORD, and said, We beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee.” (15) “So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging.” (16) “Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows.” (17) “Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.”
PREFACE SUMMARY
We will not read all four chapters of the Book of Jonah to save time. However, I suggest you read it in your quiet moments with God because each chapter brings something new. For example, in chapter one, God assigns the prophet to travel east and provide a solemn warning to the people of Nineveh. Instead, the prophet boards a ship going west and soon gets into trouble.
Chapter two describes the prophet praying to God after being swallowed by a great fish. After repenting for disobeying his assignment, the prophet lives to fulfill his mission. This powerful act of repentance, leading to his survival and eventual success, serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for all of us.
This shows us that God's love and compassion for his creation is beyond human understanding and that no one is beyond the reach of redemption. This should motivate us as believers to preach the gospel of the kingdom, knowing that the gospel is for all who will repent and believe.
This timely message is centered on the biblical story of Jonah, a powerful story that reassures us of the inevitability of divine purpose. Divine purpose, in this context, refers to God's plan for each of us, a plan that cannot be thwarted by our human resistance. Despite Jonah's initial resistance, God's purpose for him could not be thwarted. This story is a powerful illustration of the intense struggle between divine purpose and human resistance, and the inspiring themes of obedience, mercy, and the relentless pursuit of God's will serve as a beacon of motivation and encouragement for us all.
To understand the story of Jonah's life, we would need to read and study all four chapters. For example, we would need to read and study all four chapters to understand how he was swallowed by a fish specially prepared to swallow him when he was thrown into the raging sea and how, after three days and nights inside the fish's belly, God spoke to the fish to vomit him out on dry land.
Jonah’s decision to escape God’s command has important consequences, including being swallowed by a great fish. This period inside the fish is a literal and symbolic representation of Jonah’s internal conflict and need for restoration. It emphasizes themes of discipline, reflection, and the necessity of returning to one’s purpose after straying.
After spending three tormenting days and nights in the dark, foul belly of the great fish, Jonah, feeling utterly isolated and desperate, finally reaches a point of deep remorse and prays fervently for deliverance.
The prophet's heartfelt prayer signifies a profound turning point in his journey as he humbly acknowledges God’s sovereignty and pleads for mercy. This pivotal moment of repentance is crucial as it leads to his physical restoration, as he is miraculously released from the fish's belly, and spiritual restoration, as he reaffirms his unwavering commitment to fulfilling God’s mission to preach in Nineveh.
Following his restoration, Jonah travels to Nineveh, the ancient capital of the Assyrian Empire, to deliver God's message. The city's subsequent repentance showcases God's boundless compassion for all people, regardless of nationality, and obedience's transformative power in fulfilling divine assignments.
Upon arriving in Nineveh, Jonah proclaims God’s warning: “Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” (Jonah 3:4). To his astonishment, the people of Nineveh respond with immediate repentance; they fast and don sackcloth from the king down to the least of them.
God observes their genuine repentance and decides not to bring them the destruction He had threatened. This act of mercy, extended to a people considered unworthy by societal standards, underscores the universal nature of God's compassion, making us all feel included and valued.
The prophet Jonah was deeply distressed by the repentance and salvation of the people of Nineveh. He found the idea so unbearable that he expressed a desire to die rather than think about it. Jonah complains that this was why he initially tried to flee from his divine calling, not because he feared he would be ineffective, but because he feared he would be too effective!
Jonah's anger stemmed from the fact that God granted repentance to the Ninevites, who were the enemies of Judah and Israel. Jonah wished God to bring judgment upon the people he harbored such intense hatred towards.
In conclusion, some Christians today, like Jonah in the Bible, received God's mercy and forgiveness but still harbor deep-seated ill feelings toward others who also seek God's mercy. The story of Jonah serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of forgiveness, encouraging us to extend the same grace and forgiveness to others we have received.
“FIVE LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM JONAH’S EXPERIENCE.”
Below are five valuable lessons from Jonah's experience that can help us navigate our own spiritual journeys and improve our interactions with others. These lessons include the importance of facing our fears, the power of forgiveness, the impact of our actions on others, the value of perseverance, and the need to be open to change.
1. The Nature of Divine Mercy: In the story of Jonah, we learn that God's mercy goes beyond what we can imagine. When the city of Nineveh repented, God spared them, showing that redemption is possible for anyone who seeks it. This powerful message reminds us that God's mercy knows no bounds, and genuine repentance can lead to forgiveness and grace.
2. Obedience vs. Disobedience: The story of Jonah highlights the internal struggle between following one's desires and adhering to divine will. Jonah's initial decision to flee from God's command demonstrates the conflict between his own wishes and what he knows to be right. His eventual compliance with God's command illustrates that true fulfillment and peace can only be achieved through obedience.
3. Compassion for Others: The story of Jonah challenges people to reflect on their attitudes toward others who may be perceived as sinful or undeserving of God’s grace. It encourages compassion rather than judgment by prompting people to consider the life circumstances, experiences, and struggles of others, prompting a deeper understanding of their situations.
4. The Power of Repentance: The Ninevites' swift and wholehearted response to Jonah's preaching emphasizes that sincere repentance can lead to profound and positive change, both at an individual level and within a community.
5. Human Limitations: Jonah’s intense frustration with God's decision to spare the city of Nineveh illustrates the challenge of comprehending divine intentions. This story prompts reflection on the common tendency for individuals to reject the compassion shown to others while simultaneously desiring it for themselves.
MY CONCLUSION
In this message, we have deeply explored the life of the Prophet Jonah. We have delved into his divine assignment, his initial rejection of it, his subsequent repentance, and his ultimate redemption. Through Jonah's story, we have gained insight into the human experience of obedience and disobedience and the transformative power of God's divine mercy.
The story of Jonah teaches us that a prophet's role often involves the challenging task of delivering messages that may not align with personal desires or comfort. This highlights the problematic nature of the prophetic calling, as prophets are called to convey God's message even when it is not easy or convenient for them. In the case of Jonah, he initially resisted delivering a complex message to the people of Nineveh, but in the end, he fulfilled his prophetic duty.
Jonah's defiant behavior showcases the innate human inclination to resist divine will when it clashes with personal desires or fears. His refusal to follow God's instructions leads to a series of events that vividly portray his internal conflict and God's unwavering pursuit of Jonah.
After being swallowed by a great fish, Jonah finds himself in darkness. In this desperate situation, he turns back to God in prayer from within the fish’s belly (Jonah 2). His heartfelt plea signifies true repentance as he acknowledges his wrongdoing and expresses gratitude for God’s mercy, recognizing that he can be saved only through divine intervention. This decisive moment illustrates that even in despair, one can seek forgiveness and find redemption through sincere repentance and turning to God.
Jonah finally fulfills his original assignment by preaching to the people of Nineveh about their impending doom (Jonah 3:4), as God instructed him. To his surprise, the people of Nineveh, including the king, respond to his message by repenting and turning away from their sinful ways. This demonstrates that God’s mercy extends even to those deemed unworthy, showing the depth of His compassion and forgiveness.
Jonah's life richly portrays a journey that both changed and transformed him. From his initial rebellion against a divine calling to his subsequent deep repentance and, finally, to his redemption, Jonah's story highlights the profound lesson of obedience and the limitless nature of God’s mercy to be extended to all who will repent and call upon his blessed holy name.
International Evangelist
Jerry W. Hulse, Ph.D.
Miracle Life Church International
