October 2, 2022 - Jonah 1 and 2
October 2, 2022
Introduction to Jonah
by Wayne Gaeddert
1. The author of the book of Jonah is uncertain. Chapter 2 uses first-person pronouns (I, me, my) while the rest of the book uses third-person pronouns (he, him, his).
2. No precise date can be given for when the book of Jonah was written, commentators estimate between the middle of the 8th century B.C. to the middle of the 3rd century B.C.
3. Jonah’s hometown was Gath-hepher which is west of the Sea of Galilee. 2 Kings 14:25
4. “This book is unique in that it is more concerned with the prophet himself than with his prophecy. The condition of his soul, and God’s loving discipline of him instruct and humble the reader.” George Williams
5. Jonah’s mission to Nineveh took place during the reign of Jeroboam II who ruled the northern kingdom from about 793 to 753 B.C. 2 Kings 14:23-28
6. Nineveh was the capital of Assyria.
7. “The Assyrians were renowned for their brutality. For more than 50 years they had been bitterly oppressive in their dealing with Israel.” Dr. T. J. Betts
8. Jonah was called by God to be a missionary to hostile Gentiles.
9. The book is a commentary on Romans 3:29:
“Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also.”
10. “Unlike all other books of the prophetic canon, it delivers its message through a narrative story and not through a series of oracles.” Michael C. Griggiths
11. The message of Jonah is that God’s judgment can be avoided by genuine repentance.
12. God provided Nineveh as an example of repentance for Israel to follow.
13. Jonah is the only minor prophet specifically referred to by Jesus. Matthew 12:39-41
Gath-hepher
Nineveh - Tarshish
October 2, 2022
Lessons Learned
Jonah 1-2
by Wayne Gaeddert
1. You cannot escape the grasp of God.
2. Saying that you ‘fear God’ while you are being disobedient is hypocrisy.
3. God turns up the heat in the lives of believers until they are willing to submit to His will.
4. There are no restrictions on when/where you can pray.
5. Jonah’s life teaches us that God wants to use people for His glory who still have much room to grow.
6. Disobedience has an impact on those who are around you.
7. “One of the worst things that can happen to believers when they refuse to say to God, ‘Your will be done’ is for the Lord to say to them, ‘your will be done.’” Dr. T. J. Betts
8. Application:
Saying ‘No’ to God will bring about consequences into your life. How will you answer God’s call?
The first call of God is for salvation.
The second is for service.
God designs the circumstances of your life to help you understand, ‘Salvation belongs to the LORD’.
God hears the prayer of those who belong to Him.
Although we do not deserve God’s grace, He is willing to extend grace to those who put their faith in Him.