For one thing, it is a book artfully constructed, with one chapter devoted to a psalm. A reluctant prophet, jonah originally ran from god before delivering a message of repentance to the nation of nineveh. Through some supernatural events, god convinced him to obey and carry out the lords plan. The book of jonah is more than just a delightful story for children.
We are a team of christians creating a visual journey through the bible as a resource for teaching all ages available for free download by anyone, anywhere at any time. But, as every bible student knows, his plans were soon thwarted. Apr 12, 2016 watch our overview video on the book of jonah, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Sep 18, 2018 the message is the bible paraphrased into contemporary english. It is a book that will reward careful reading and meditation. Not too long after the ministry of elijah and elisha, another prophet came onto the scene in the northern kingdom of israel during the rule of jeroboam ii 2 kings 14. The purpose of this book is to show that god is a merciful and gracious god. These were considered signs of divine anger and may help explain why the ninevites responded so readily to jonahs message, around 759. Sometime after the fish vomited jonah onto dry land, the word of the lord comes to him yet again, arise, go to nineveh, that great city, and call. T he book of jonah is an old testament story which tells about how the prophet jonah refused to follow the lord. To calm a storm, the crew throws jonah into the sea, where he is swallowed by a great fish god.
Oct 23, 2016 when the people of nineveh hear jonahs message from god, the most unexpected thing occurs. The theme of jonah is gods saving mercy toward the nations of the world. But in the book of jonah, the focus is not so much on the message, but on the prophet. Watch our overview video on the book of jonah, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Mar 16, 2019 written by the prophet jonah, son of amittai, around 785760 b. At the bottom of the sea9then jonah prayed to his god from the belly of the fish.
Do you consider the fish swallowing jonah to be punishment or salvationlaw or gospel. The title of the book is the name of the main character, jonah. Jonah with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Thats after the prophet elijah but before amos and hosea. He is the central figure of the book of jonah, in which he is called upon by god to travel to nineveh and warn its residents of impending divine wrath. Full text in english of the book of jonah my jewish learning. Jonah 1 msg running away from god one day long bible. But in the book of jonah, the focus is not so much on the. My jewish learning is a notforprofit and relies on your.
During this time, an important event happened to israel. It is a mistake to assume that events and actions of the book are not historical in nature. It tells of a hebrew prophet named jonah son of amittai who is sent by god to prophesy the destruction of nineveh but tries to escape the divine mission. Many have questioned whether the book of jonah is historical. Identified in verse 1 as the son of amittai, jonah came from a town called gathhepher. Jonah represents jesus as the resurrection and the life. Jonah or jonas, in the hebrew bible tanakhold testament, is a prophet of the northern kingdom of israel in about the 8th century bce. Perhaps the third quarter of the eighth century is the most likely date for the book, after the public ministries of amos and hosea and before the fall of samaria to assyria in 722721. Book of jonah overview insight for living ministries.
Jonahs story is told in the short just 48 verses but powerful book of jonah. Jonah s experiences form the main contents and purpose of the book. The book is anonymous, and there are no indicators elsewhere in scripture to identify the author. If you are not familiar with the story of jonahspend some time reading it. I knew you were sheer grace and mercy, not easily angered, rich in love, and ready at the drop of a hat to turn your plans of punishment into a program of forgiveness. All of the citizens of the city, from the least to the greatest call for a fast and. The supposed legendary character of some of the events e. That is the point of the book of jonah in the old testament.
Jonah is a perfect example of privileged hypocrisy and merciless pride. The lords compassion is not only for insiders like jonah and israel but also for outsiders like the ninevites. The message of jonah to the people of nineveh contained no conditional statement. The book is about a prophet, some sailors and the inhabitants of the city of nineveh who are about to be destroyed because of their sin. The book of jonah, written primarily in the third person, does not explicitly name the prophet as the author of his own account, but we have no reason to doubt either the inspiration or the historical veracity of the book. The book of jonah recounts real events in the life and ministry of the prophet himself. Literary characteristics unlike most other prophetic parts of the ot, this book is a narrative account of a single prophetic mission. The message is the bible paraphrased into contemporary english. Jonah 14 msg running away from god one day long bible. Freebibleimages is a uk registered charity 1150890. That is, he did not preach that nineveh would be overturned unless they repented. While jonah eventually departed and proclaimed gods message, the lesson of his story does not end there. Jonah therefore is the only prophet of the ot revealing the grace of god towards the heathen. Jonah was resurrected from the whale to pursue gods path that he had laid before him, which was to rebuke nineveh into repentance.
Outline of the book of jonah jonah doesnt like his duty, so he tries to flee from god on a ship. Running away from god one day long ago, gods word came to jonah, amittais son. Jonah was a prophet in the land of israel about 800750 bc. The book of jonah is mostly remembered for its oddity. This is because the story is not very favourable towards jonah. A commentary on the book of jonah cooper abrams bible truth. Written by the prophet jonah, son of amittai, around 785760 b. Concern for the salvation of all people, including ones enemies, is the proper attitude for people of god. John hannah, the bible knowledge commentary wheaton. Jonah vividly displays the heart of mercy god has for all people groups of the world, even those known for their godlessness. And, as any schoolboy knows, a whale is a mammal, not a fish. The book starts with gods order to jonah to go and preach the people of nineveh but he was reluctant because they were his enemies and further thinking that they wont repent. No writer in the bible tells such a bad story about himself.
Unfortunately, many christians thoughtlessly cast aspersions upon this important book in the canon of scripture without realizing that they are playing into the hands of the critics and innocently becoming the dupes of the skeptics. The foundational source for the book was likely jonahs own telling of the story after his return from nineveh. His name was jonah son of amittai from gathhepher near. Jonah is identified as a prophet and servant of god during the reign of king jeroboam ii of israel 2 kings 14. He was the earliest of the prophets and close behind elisha in his place in the old testament. Jonah prophesied to nineveh but he wasnt happy about it jonah 4.
While jonah eventually did what he was asked to do, the book closes with showing jonah as a bitter man. The book of jonah includes the famous story of the great fish often erroneously thought of as a whale has led many to dismiss this book as merely a biblical fish story. Dec 19, 2015 the book of jonah includes the famous story of the great fish often erroneously thought of as a whale has led many to dismiss this book as merely a biblical fish story. The prophetic significance of this book not only lies in the short message in nineveh but also in the entire history of jonah described in his book. This summary of the book of jonah provides information about the title, authors. Furthermore, the book of jonah seems to indicate that there is an inherent conditional element behind all prophecies, even if not explicitly stated. In the belly of the fish for three days, jonah cries out to god, repents. The message of the book of jonah christian articles. Within its four chapters is perhaps one of the better known childrens bible stories jonah and the big fish. Jonah was the son of amittai, who came from gathhepher in zebulun called gittahhepher in joshua 19. The book of jonah is a subversive story about a rebellious prophet who.
He went down to the port of joppa and found a ship headed for tarshish. Although the wicked city of nineveh deserved to be crushed immediately, god was patient towards them. Intro to jonah biblica the international bible society. Introduction jonah is the book of the bible which perhaps has been criticized more than any other.
Jonahs experiences form the main contents and purpose of the book. Moreover, some critics argue that the book of jonah depicts the prophet as being swallowed by a great fish jon. Date since jonah prophesied during the reign of jeroboam ii 782753. Jonah was a picture of the death and resurrection of christ. It concerns a disobedient prophet who rejected his divine commission, was cast overboard in a storm and swallowed by a great fish, rescued in a marvelous manner, and returned to his starting point. Theyre in a bad way and i cant ignore it any longer. Up on your feet and on your way to the big city of nineveh. In most of the prophetic books of the bible, the focus is the message of the prophet. This time god does not mention the reason for sending jonah. The book is about a prophet, some sailors and the inhabitants of the city of nineveh who are about to be destroyed because of their.
Aug 11, 2003 the book of jonah is mostly remembered for its oddity. When the people of nineveh hear jonahs message from god, the most unexpected thing occurs. Nov 21, 2012 furthermore, the book of jonah seems to indicate that there is an inherent conditional element behind all prophecies, even if not explicitly stated. Jonah is unusual among the prophets in that his message is received and his audience repents. Perhaps it is bothgods punishment of jonah while also saving him from drowning in the sea.
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