Teach: The Lord had warned (through Jonah) that if they did not repent, they would be destroyed. by Leanne Guenther. God has won Jonah's heart back in the right direction, so he commanded the fish to grant him bail and asked Jonah the second time to go preach in the city of Nineveh. Its like what my pastor says, Earthly obedience, brings forth spiritual release. The Bible record is silent. Image what they would be thinking when he started telling them that God had a message for them, and they needed to repent or be destroyed. Jonah didn't want to go there because the Ninevites were wicked people (see Jonah 1:2), and Jonah knew that when he came there to preach to the people, they'd repent and be spared from God's impending wrath (see Jonah 4:2). Instead of us being beaten, insulted, and crucified, Yahshua did it for us. It seems that at this time Nineveh had a sea-oriented religious system and sea-themed Gods. How would he reach these people? If that were so we would never be saved. We are all sinners who are worthy of death. Through games, drawing their own comic strip, a DIY Big Gulp of Jonah toy, and a Jonah in a Big Fish puppet, kids learn that God is compassionate and gracious. . Jesus knew what he was talking about, for he had been alive in heaven to witness those events as they unfolded. The Prodigal Prophet Jonah And The Mystery Of God Recognizing the showing off ways to get this ebook The Prodigal Prophet Jonah And The Mystery Of God is additionally useful. Only true repentance can happen when we acknowledge and are willing to go in Gods direction. Is it True for Christians That 'Once Saved, Always Saved'? He was a prophet in a nation he is proud of. Jonahs example serves to remind us that when we disagree with Jehovah God, it is always our own point of view that needs an adjustmentnever His. * He walked for a day, penetrating ever deeper into that teeming metropolis, perhaps looking for a suitable central location to start spreading his message. How much more will God use all things to reach you? The next day he sent in a worm which destroyed the gourd leaving Jonah open to the elements. Could you please help to understand what lesson the Lord wanted to teach Jonah about the Gourd and the Worm? He was then swallowed by a huge fish - his transport to Nineveh. . It takes place in part in Nineveh, the capital city of Assyria . I hope these 5 keys have made you hungry to dive more into Gods word. This is an essential characteristic of God. The people of Nineveh repented, and God spared the city. Jonah is depressed and miserable due the the fact that the city would not be destroyed. Here is a little quick video to watch For more information please keep reading. Lesson 48, November 21-27. We all have our opinions, and ideas about how things should happen or be. Jehovah will satisfy the needs of his faithful children from this earth to heaven. Talk about Jonah 1: 4-16: This is what it is like to turn away from God. With this understanding, Jonahs choice to flee makes sense (in a very short-sighted kind of way) . Then Jehovah sent a huge fish. . (a)How did Jehovah respond to the repentance of the Ninevites? Clearly, Jonah did learn a vital lesson from Jehovahs wise instruction. By so doing, the Lord is showing Jonah that his priorities are more then a bit messed up. What did God do to teach Jonah a lesson? 1:4, 11, 13, 15; 4:8), and he prepared a sea-creature, a vine, and a worm to do his bidding (Jon. He tried to run away from the presence of God, and enjoy himself. Jonah needed courage and faith to preach in Nineveh. The commandment to Jonah was to "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me" (Jonah 1:2). Nahum 3:1-4 gives us an idea of just how wicked the people of Nineveh were: "Woe to the bloody city! Jonah was a prophet who supported Israel at a time when Israel was threatened by Nineveh. This was at least part of the reason why Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh - he was afraid they would repent, when all along he wanted God to judge the Assyrian capital. Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water. Introduction: This lesson is about a man that is in a little bit of all of us. Instead, the Lord saved him. He is the recipient of the Legion of Merit. When Jonah adds that to his list of complaints the Lord uses it as a teaching moment. "Lest we forget lest we forget!". The Bible says that God so loved the world He sent His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). - Dylan. When we see people sinning are we quick to say, Wait until you get what you truly deserve?, Oh I cant wait for the time when you fall down!, Oh, this group has cast me out. Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?'" The sign of Jonah was an expression used by Jesus to refer to Jonah's three days and three nights in the belly of the fish (Jonah 1:17). 1) God gave Jonah a job, but Jonah didn't want to do it. Rudyard Kipling, the great English poet of the first part of the 20th century, considered the strengths and influence of the British Empire but warned his fellow subjects of the crown that empires are fleeting. What does a man swallowed by a big fish thousands of years ago have to do with the Day of Atonement? We do not know. 17 The despondent prophet left Nineveh and headed, not home, but eastward, where some mountains overlooked the region. Instead of punishing Jonah for his disrespect, Jehovah simply asked him one gentle, probing question: Have you rightly become hot with anger? (Jonah 4:4) Did Jonah even answer? What gets missed is Jonah's repentance . (Ezek. They are just nothing but mere pretension. RAPTURE IS IMMINENT, CHRIST WILL COME AGAIN 2 Peter, THE ANTICHRIST EVIL MARK OF 666 SYMBOLIZES DESTRUCTION Revelation, GOD HATES SIN; COVET HOLINESS AND STAY STRONG Zechariah, GODS JUDGMENT IS INEVITABLE Revelation, 7 REASONS TO BELIEVE CHRIST ROSE FROM THE DEAD, Subscribing I accept the privacy rules of this site, JESUS PURCHASED THE CHURCH WITH HIS BLOOD Acts, JESUS COMMANDED HIS DISCIPLES TO PREACH THE GOSPEL Luke 9, KING JEHU KILLED IDOL WORSHIPERS 2 Kings, THE DEFENSE FOR GODS SERVANTS Jeremiah. 4) A storm threatens to overturn the ship. Instead, something remarkable happened. As soon as Jonah has settled gratefully into its shade, God sends a worm to chew the roots of the plant, killing it so that Jonah is left exposed once again. 3) He ends up on a ship. That is where the Gourd and the Worm come in. it helps to pay the bills and keeps this website running. It had all the elements of a spellbinder: a reluctant prophet fleeing God, a sinking ship, a man thrown overboard into the maw of a sea. Jonah's lack of response indicates that he got the point. 14. To see what we can learn from the life of Jonah. Did he fear being ridiculed or being labeled a false prophet? For You cast me into the deep,Into the heart of the seas,And the floods surrounded me;All Your billows and Your waves passed over me. Perhaps, even us today, we'd be hesitant to go to somewhere chaotic and full of wickedness to preach the Gospel. Ive read that the Lord wanted to show Jonah that He loves all His people. Jonah 4:6-7 = Made bush grow to give shade, then had worm kill it Bush Notes: Probably Elkeroa - Common shrub in Palestine, grows in sandy places Broad vine-like leaves with dense shadow Grows very quickly in matter of days How did this affect Jonah? Are we there yet? God have mercy! Yet the city of Nineveh had sixscore thousand people (Jonah 4:11) who didnt know any better and Jonah thinks their preservation is a bad thing? Nineveh was a major city in Assyria, the world power of both Jonah and Nahum's day. Jonah is mad at the Lord, so the Lord tried to teach him. Prophet Jonah disobeyed God and attempted to escape, but God caught him red-handedly. When he determines to bring punishment on the wicked, he first uses his representatives on earth to issue warnings, for he is eager to see the wicked do what the Ninevites didrepent and change their ways. Digging deep and having the Holy Spirit reveal truths to us is how we start to grow and mature. I dont select the ads displayed here but generated by advertising software. Out of the belly of Sheol I cried,AndYou heard my voice. Before long, the whole city was talking about Jonahs prophecy of doom. This was an occasion to show divine mercy. This lesson is based on Jonah's response to God's mercy to the Ninevites from Jonah 4. In what ways might some find themselves disagreeing with God, and what lesson can we learn from Jonahs example? Jonah was the son of Amittai, who came from Gath-hepher in Zebulun (called Gittah-hepher in Joshua 19:10-13 ). (b)How did Jehovahs miracles involving a bottle-gourd plant affect Jonah? When God speaks to our heart to do something we should take intitive. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. Jonah has two different responses to God's . His life and ministry, recorded in but four chapters, brings so many lessons to Christians old and new. (b)What do we learn about Jonah from the preaching work that he carried out? We dont deserve mercy and compassion. Not stopping and chewing on what the scripture is trying to show us. 5 Nineveh was ancient, being among the first cities that Nimrod established after the Flood. Jonah 4:8 "And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, [It is] better for me to die than to live." So, when Jonah was on a ship, there was a storm and the sailors threw Jonah into the sea. from the presence of the LORD. Indeed, the Bible is clear: The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples (Deuteronomy 7:7 NIV). He had to learn the hard way. While the theme of Gods sovereignty and Gods grace is, indeed, the predominant storyline of Jonah, the book is certainly not merely metaphorical. The book is historical and refers to what became one of the greatest revivals in the history of humankind. Imitate Their Faith, Audio download options Obedience is the key to receivingGods benefits! Jonah repented while in the belly of a fish; God heard his voice and saved him. I enjoy the Bible study and I want to be a blessing to others. These are only 5 thingsthere are more! (a)How does Jehovah show that he is reasonable, adaptable, and merciful? However, anyone who willingly obeys God has the advantage of receiving greater benefits than a person who was coerced into obedience. His spirits lifted. The result, however, was nothing short of amazing. So, you know for Jonah it would be a BIG deal to travel to Nineveh. Since we interpret Scripture by other Scriptures, and since our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ told the book of Jonah as history (Matthew 12:39-41), so must we. Rich and poor, strong and weak, young and old were all caught up in the same repentant spirit. God does not tempt us with sin - James 1:13. Sunday School Teacher's Guide - this is just one possible lesson plan. We start to grow and mature faithful children from this earth to heaven book is historical refers! 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