Read Jonah 4:1-4
Jonah is in the city when he prays this prayer. He is watching the response of the Ninevites to God’s message. Jonah learns from God that He has decided not to destroy the city.
1) How did Jonah respond to God’s decision to show compassion for the Ninevites and not
destroy them? Greatly displeased and became angry. A more appropriate translation of angry would be furious. Jonah was ticked off. With whom was Jonah displeased/angry? God.
2) Put in your own words Jonah’s prayer to God in verses 2 and 3. Point out Jonah is still in the
city when he prays this prayer.
I knew this would happen. When you first told me back in Israel to go to Nineveh and cry against it. I knew this would happen. That’s why I fled to Tarshish, to delay this. I know you God. You are gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, full of mercy, and one who does not seek to destroy. Now kill me.
3) From reading Jonah’s prayer, why was he angry at God? He chose to show compassion/mercy towards Nineveh rather than wipe out every single man, woman, and child in the city. Read how Jonah describes God. God showing such qualities to Nineveh should have made Jonah feel how? Rejoicing, excited, partying mood. Instead he’s angry at God. Do you get the impression that Jonah makes God’s mercy, compassion, etc. sound as if they are faults? Jonah in a way was telling God - Nineveh does not deserve Your mercy/compassion/love. The city deserved Your anger/wrath. The city deserves what YOU told me to tell them. The city deserved to be blown off the face of the planet. Why? From Jonah’s point of view why? They are evil, cruel, violent people. They are Israel’s number one enemy. They are Gentiles. How did Israelites view Gentiles? Godless, wicked, depraved, fuel for fires of hell. Beneath contempt. Again, this attitude stemmed from the Israelites’ egotistical/monopolistic view of their relationship with God. God’s blessings, his mercy, love, compassion should be limited to them. Jonah had this attitude regarding the Ninevites. If you were to ask Jonah, “Hey Jonah, don’t you remember that God recently showed compassion and mercy towards you? Remember when the Gentiles pagans attempted to spare your life by not throwing you off the boat? How God sent the big fish to save you from drowning? Remember the words of your prayer inside the big fish - Salvation comes from the Lord?” What do you think Jonah’s response might have been? I am an Israelite. I’m not surprised God would show me mercy. These people are Gentiles. They deserve to be destroyed. Therefore, when God showed mercy to the Ninevites, it angered Jonah to the point where he rather be dead than live in a world where God shows mercy to Gentiles. Again, it is not up to us humans to decide who deserves God’s mercy and who deserves His wrath. Homosexuals, Muslims, Osama bin Laden, do not deserve eternal salvation. They deserve eternal damnation. That is not our choice to make. It’s God’s.
4) Why did Jonah want to die? Jonah would rather die than live in a world where Gentiles are shown mercy by God. Or, he may have been afraid of what might happen to him if his fellow Israelites learn of how God used him to save Nineveh from destruction.
5) Read verse 4. How did God respond to Jonah? Did God strike him dead? No. He asked Jonah a question. Have you any right to be angry? Can you justify your anger towards me because I chose to spare Nineveh? What was Jonah’s response? Silence.
6) Read vs. 5. What did Jonah do? Jonah went outside the walls of the city, built a shelter from the bright sun, and waited to see if God might change His mind again and wipe out Nineveh.
7) Read vs. 6-8. What all did God do to Jonah in these verses? What were Jonah’s reactions? God caused a huge vine to grow to protect Jonah from the blazing sun. Keep him cool/comfortable. What was Jonah’s reaction to this? Happy; thrilled. God once again shows compassion for Jonah. The next morning what did God do? God allowed a worm to eat the vine to the point it withered and died. Jonah no longer had protection from the hot sun. Furthermore, God made it even more uncomfortable for Jonah by having a scorching wind from the east to blow at Jonah. The hot wind combined with the blazing sun made Jonah extremely uncomfortable. His reaction? He wanted to die.
8) Read vs. 9-11. What did God ask Jonah? “Do you have a right to be angry about the vine?” Jonah said “Yeah! I’m so ticked off I want to die.” Why was Jonah so angry? Jonah loved the vine. It provided him with shade and comfort. Now it had been taken from him. The death of the vine upset Jonah greatly to the point where he once again wanted to die.
9) What was God’s purpose for doing what He did in vs. 6-8? To once again teach Jonah a lesson in mercy/compassion. If Jonah could show compassion for a plant which he had nothing to do in growing, that grew one day and died the next, should not God show compassion for the people of Nineveh, and its animals, which God did create? The Ninevites were God’s creation. He formed each in the womb. God watched them be born. God watched the Ninevites grow and mature. He watched them make poor decisions and succumb to evil. God despised what they became and yet He still felt compassion for them. Why? Because they were His creation that He had fashioned and formed with his own hands. And so, God sent Jonah to warn them of what He would happen in hopes that the Ninevites would repent. They did. On the other hand, Jonah felt more pity for a plant than he did for human beings created by God.
10) What was Jonah’s response? Silence. No “God you are right. How could I continue to be so hard-headed?” Just silence.
APPLICATION:
Why was Book of Jonah included in Scripture? What did God want Israel to learn from Book of Jonah? God’s love is not confined to one nation. God loves all peoples. He shows compassion for all peoples. His redemptive plan was for all peoples. By showing compassion/mercy to Assyrians, God was showing Jonah and Israel He loved all peoples/enemies. Did Jonah get it? No. Did Israel? No. Their enmity towards Gentiles continued well into the New Testament era.
What does God want us to learn from the Book of Jonah? Same as above. Also Jonah 2:8 - Salvation comes from the Lord. We do not have the authority to determine who deserves eternal salvation and who deserves eternal damnation.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Jonah Chapter 3
1) Why do you think God told Jonah a second time to go to Nineveh? Didn’t Jonah already know he was supposed to go to Nineveh? This was God’s way of giving Jonah a do over/a clean slate. Let’s start over Jonah.
2) What was Jonah told to do? Go to Nineveh and proclaim the message I will give you.
3) What did Jonah do? Jonah went to Nineveh. Jonah had learned his lesson.
During Jonah’s journey to Nineveh, let’s say he stopped off at a tavern for a meal. He sits down by a fellow traveler. They strike up a conversation. The traveler asks Jonah where he is going. Jonah tells him Nineveh. He is going there to deliver the citizens of that city a message from God. Traveler – “Don’t you know how cruel the Ninevites are? What they will do to you if you speak against them? Aren’t you afraid?” Jonah’s response – “Afraid to go to Nineveh in the will of God? Let me tell you, I’d be more afraid not to go to Nineveh. It is far more dangerous to be out of the will of God. I’m not afraid of Nineveh.”
4. When did Jonah begin to proclaim to the Ninevites the message God gave him? Soon as he walked through the city gates.
5) What was the message God gave Jonah to proclaim to Nineveh? 40 days and Nineveh will be overthrown. May have said more. But that was the heart of the message. It could be summarized in one sentence. Stick in people’s minds. Notice, countdown for Nineveh’s punishment began not from when Jonah first received the message in Jonah chapter 1 or the second time in Jonah chapter 3. The countdown began when Nineveh first received the message. An example of God’s justice. He was not going to destroy the city without a warning.
6) What did the people of Nineveh learn from Jonah’s message? 40 days and city will be overthrown.
7) How would you characterize Jonah’s sermon? Fire and brimstone. Not a kum-by-yah sermon. Not a sermon that you walk away from feeling good about yourself and the world.
8) What was the purpose of such a sermon? To convince the Ninevites to repent. How? To make real God’s anger for their iniquity. To make real God’s anger for their evil ways and violence. The Ninevites got an image of God’s wrath ready to be poured upon them. There is a verse in the Book of Hebrews in the New Testament that says “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of an angry God.” Nowhere is there mention in God’s message to the Ninevites about grace, mercy, compassion, love. It was not an uplifting/encouraging message, only a fearful expectation of judgment. Why? What was God seeking to do by having Jonah proclaim such a message? God wanted to instill in thr people’s hearts a fear of God. God wanted to let the Ninevites know how much He abhors sin. How serious He is in dealing with sin in hopes that they would repent.
9) How did the Ninevites respond to God’s message? They did not turn to their gods for deliverance/salvation. They believed God. Not Jonah. The Ninevites put their belief in God. The word “believe” here in Hebrew means “have trust”, “have confidence”. It is the same word used by Abraham in Genesis after God told him he would be the father of many nations. Abraham believed and it was counted to him as righteousness. That’s amazing considering these people are Gentiles who did not have the same heritage of worshipping God as Jonah and the Israelites did.
The Ninevites’ belief were followed by works (fasting, wearing sackcloth – both are symbols of humility/repentance) which gave credibility to their repentance. James chapter 2 in the New Testament tells us that faith without works is dead. If the Ninevites only gave lip service to their repentance … showed no outward evidence of their repentance but continued to do evil and harbor evil in their hearts … what would that have shown God and you about how much they believed God’s words? Their belief/faith was non-existent.
10) Why were they so receptive to Jonah’s message? It was a message the Assyrians could relate to. What do you remember about their culture/reputation in the world? Violence – destruction – conquest – other peoples feared them. The Assyrians had no concept of mercy, compassion, grace. Such words were not in their vocabulary. In His message to the Assyrians, God spoke in a language they understood/were familiar with. He instilled fear in their hearts just as the Assyrians instilled fear in other peoples. If God been filled with words such as peace, love, compassion, mercy, the Assyrians might have been so receptive.
What else may have convinced the Ninevites to believe God? Jonah’s appearance. He was a living example of both God’s wrath and God’s mercy/compassion. Also, Jonah’s story was similar to an Assyrian myth about a battle between their great god Asshur and Tiamat, a goddess that resembled a sea beast. Like their god Asshur, Jonah survived his encounter with the sea beast, but he did so because His God commanded the sea beast/was more powerful than the sea beast. Recall the Assyrians are very religious/superstitious people. Therefore, it was not a coincidence that God used a big fish to swallow Jonah. He had a purpose – a tool to reach the Assyrians.
11) When word of God’s message reached the king what all did he do? He took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. All acts of repentance/contrition. What impression do you think that made on his subjects? It was huge. Recall the influential role the king played in Assyrian society. He was a political leader and a religious leader. What might have happened if the king had rejected God’s message? Called it nonsense? The people of Nineveh might have followed his example and God would have destroyed the city. The fact that the king believed God’s message encouraged/convinced the people to follow his example.
12) What did the proclamation he issued to the people say? Read verses 7-9 How serious were they about seeking repentance? Even animals were to fast and wear sackcloth.
Let all men call on God earnestly/urgently and turn from wickedness and violence. In other words cry out to God for mercy with all you strength. The people placed their faith in God – they repented of their evil ways – followed up repentance with action/works that gave credence to their belief.
13) What was the king’s hope? That God would have compassion and spare the city from destruction. Did he guarantee that God would not overthrow the city? No. Read verse 9.
14) When God saw the response of the Ninevites to his message how did He respond in
turn? God showed compassion/mercy to the cruelest people on the face of the earth. He did not destroy the city. Why? Grace. Remember what Jonah said in chapter 2:8. Like Jonah, the people of Nineveh in a moment of desperation renounced their gods. They did not pray to Asshur for salvation. They prayed to God. They did not cling to their idols, they clung to God and hoped for his mercy. Like Jonah, the city deserved to be destroyed but just as He did with Jonah, God showed mercy/compassion for Nineveh. He showed mercy/compassion for Gentiles just as He did for a Hebrew/Israelite, one of the Chosen People. All because of grace.
Was the Ninevites’ repentance genuine? In Matt. 12:38-41, Jesus gave testimony to the Ninevites’ repentance.
Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you." He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here.
Jesus is telling the Jewish religious leaders that the people of Nineveh – GENTILES! –repented at the preaching of Jonah and yet Jesus, who is greater than Jonah because He is the Son of God, is preaching repentance to the Jews of his generation, God’s chosen people, and they reject His message. Consequently, on Judgment Day, who will be accepted by God and who will be condemned? Accepted – Ninevites (GENTILES!); Condemned – Jews of Jesus’ day. Moreover, the Ninevites will condemn the Jews for rejecting Jesus.
Jesus’ references to Jonah and to the Ninevites being present at Judgment Day give authenticity to the Book of Jonah. It is historical, not fiction.
15) What do you think Jonah’s thoughts are regarding the Ninevites’ response to the
message he delivered? Perhaps skepticism. They don’t mean what they’re saying/doing. It’s all an act. What are Jonah’s thoughts regarding God’s decision to show compassion to Nineveh and not destroy the city? The answer is in chapter 4.
2) What was Jonah told to do? Go to Nineveh and proclaim the message I will give you.
3) What did Jonah do? Jonah went to Nineveh. Jonah had learned his lesson.
During Jonah’s journey to Nineveh, let’s say he stopped off at a tavern for a meal. He sits down by a fellow traveler. They strike up a conversation. The traveler asks Jonah where he is going. Jonah tells him Nineveh. He is going there to deliver the citizens of that city a message from God. Traveler – “Don’t you know how cruel the Ninevites are? What they will do to you if you speak against them? Aren’t you afraid?” Jonah’s response – “Afraid to go to Nineveh in the will of God? Let me tell you, I’d be more afraid not to go to Nineveh. It is far more dangerous to be out of the will of God. I’m not afraid of Nineveh.”
4. When did Jonah begin to proclaim to the Ninevites the message God gave him? Soon as he walked through the city gates.
5) What was the message God gave Jonah to proclaim to Nineveh? 40 days and Nineveh will be overthrown. May have said more. But that was the heart of the message. It could be summarized in one sentence. Stick in people’s minds. Notice, countdown for Nineveh’s punishment began not from when Jonah first received the message in Jonah chapter 1 or the second time in Jonah chapter 3. The countdown began when Nineveh first received the message. An example of God’s justice. He was not going to destroy the city without a warning.
6) What did the people of Nineveh learn from Jonah’s message? 40 days and city will be overthrown.
7) How would you characterize Jonah’s sermon? Fire and brimstone. Not a kum-by-yah sermon. Not a sermon that you walk away from feeling good about yourself and the world.
8) What was the purpose of such a sermon? To convince the Ninevites to repent. How? To make real God’s anger for their iniquity. To make real God’s anger for their evil ways and violence. The Ninevites got an image of God’s wrath ready to be poured upon them. There is a verse in the Book of Hebrews in the New Testament that says “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of an angry God.” Nowhere is there mention in God’s message to the Ninevites about grace, mercy, compassion, love. It was not an uplifting/encouraging message, only a fearful expectation of judgment. Why? What was God seeking to do by having Jonah proclaim such a message? God wanted to instill in thr people’s hearts a fear of God. God wanted to let the Ninevites know how much He abhors sin. How serious He is in dealing with sin in hopes that they would repent.
9) How did the Ninevites respond to God’s message? They did not turn to their gods for deliverance/salvation. They believed God. Not Jonah. The Ninevites put their belief in God. The word “believe” here in Hebrew means “have trust”, “have confidence”. It is the same word used by Abraham in Genesis after God told him he would be the father of many nations. Abraham believed and it was counted to him as righteousness. That’s amazing considering these people are Gentiles who did not have the same heritage of worshipping God as Jonah and the Israelites did.
The Ninevites’ belief were followed by works (fasting, wearing sackcloth – both are symbols of humility/repentance) which gave credibility to their repentance. James chapter 2 in the New Testament tells us that faith without works is dead. If the Ninevites only gave lip service to their repentance … showed no outward evidence of their repentance but continued to do evil and harbor evil in their hearts … what would that have shown God and you about how much they believed God’s words? Their belief/faith was non-existent.
10) Why were they so receptive to Jonah’s message? It was a message the Assyrians could relate to. What do you remember about their culture/reputation in the world? Violence – destruction – conquest – other peoples feared them. The Assyrians had no concept of mercy, compassion, grace. Such words were not in their vocabulary. In His message to the Assyrians, God spoke in a language they understood/were familiar with. He instilled fear in their hearts just as the Assyrians instilled fear in other peoples. If God been filled with words such as peace, love, compassion, mercy, the Assyrians might have been so receptive.
What else may have convinced the Ninevites to believe God? Jonah’s appearance. He was a living example of both God’s wrath and God’s mercy/compassion. Also, Jonah’s story was similar to an Assyrian myth about a battle between their great god Asshur and Tiamat, a goddess that resembled a sea beast. Like their god Asshur, Jonah survived his encounter with the sea beast, but he did so because His God commanded the sea beast/was more powerful than the sea beast. Recall the Assyrians are very religious/superstitious people. Therefore, it was not a coincidence that God used a big fish to swallow Jonah. He had a purpose – a tool to reach the Assyrians.
11) When word of God’s message reached the king what all did he do? He took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. All acts of repentance/contrition. What impression do you think that made on his subjects? It was huge. Recall the influential role the king played in Assyrian society. He was a political leader and a religious leader. What might have happened if the king had rejected God’s message? Called it nonsense? The people of Nineveh might have followed his example and God would have destroyed the city. The fact that the king believed God’s message encouraged/convinced the people to follow his example.
12) What did the proclamation he issued to the people say? Read verses 7-9 How serious were they about seeking repentance? Even animals were to fast and wear sackcloth.
Let all men call on God earnestly/urgently and turn from wickedness and violence. In other words cry out to God for mercy with all you strength. The people placed their faith in God – they repented of their evil ways – followed up repentance with action/works that gave credence to their belief.
13) What was the king’s hope? That God would have compassion and spare the city from destruction. Did he guarantee that God would not overthrow the city? No. Read verse 9.
14) When God saw the response of the Ninevites to his message how did He respond in
turn? God showed compassion/mercy to the cruelest people on the face of the earth. He did not destroy the city. Why? Grace. Remember what Jonah said in chapter 2:8. Like Jonah, the people of Nineveh in a moment of desperation renounced their gods. They did not pray to Asshur for salvation. They prayed to God. They did not cling to their idols, they clung to God and hoped for his mercy. Like Jonah, the city deserved to be destroyed but just as He did with Jonah, God showed mercy/compassion for Nineveh. He showed mercy/compassion for Gentiles just as He did for a Hebrew/Israelite, one of the Chosen People. All because of grace.
Was the Ninevites’ repentance genuine? In Matt. 12:38-41, Jesus gave testimony to the Ninevites’ repentance.
Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you." He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here.
Jesus is telling the Jewish religious leaders that the people of Nineveh – GENTILES! –repented at the preaching of Jonah and yet Jesus, who is greater than Jonah because He is the Son of God, is preaching repentance to the Jews of his generation, God’s chosen people, and they reject His message. Consequently, on Judgment Day, who will be accepted by God and who will be condemned? Accepted – Ninevites (GENTILES!); Condemned – Jews of Jesus’ day. Moreover, the Ninevites will condemn the Jews for rejecting Jesus.
Jesus’ references to Jonah and to the Ninevites being present at Judgment Day give authenticity to the Book of Jonah. It is historical, not fiction.
15) What do you think Jonah’s thoughts are regarding the Ninevites’ response to the
message he delivered? Perhaps skepticism. They don’t mean what they’re saying/doing. It’s all an act. What are Jonah’s thoughts regarding God’s decision to show compassion to Nineveh and not destroy the city? The answer is in chapter 4.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Jonah chapter 2
1) Describe what it must have been like for Jonah to be in the belly of a great fish for three days? Smelly; wet; dark. What do you think Jonah did during his three days inside the fish? A lot of thinking and reflection. How did end I end up in this situation? I’m still alive. I didn’t drown. God spared my life. Even after I disobeyed him. Now, how do I get out of this predicament?
2) How would you characterize Jonah’s prayer? Jonah is reflecting on what happened in the moments after he was thrown off the ship three days earlier. He was sinking like a rock into the waters. He was headed for the bottom of ocean. Read verses 4 & 7. Jonah believed his situation to be hopeless. God had removed him from His presence. He would not spare Jonah. However, Jonah chose to cry out to God in hopes that He would spare him. In both verses, Jonah references the temple. Why? Read I Kings 8:30 - Listen to the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place (the Temple); hear in heaven Your dwelling place; hear and forgive. This verse is part of a prayer spoken by King Solomon delivered at the dedication of the temple. I believe in his last moments of life, Jonah remembered the words of Solomon’s prayer. Did God hear Jonah’s cry for salvation? Yes. See verse 6. How did God save his life? Sent a big fish to swallow him. Did Jonah complain about how God saved him? No. Read verse 9. He thanked God for sparing his life. Chapter 2 is a prayer of thanksgiving from Jonah to God.
3) How did Jonah view being in the belly of the great fish? Salvation or punishment? Salvation. (see verse 9) Which did Jonah deserve? Punishment. He had blatantly disobeyed God. How long did it take for Jonah to realize the whale was God’s method of salvation and not punishment? Three days and nights have passed and he has not been digested.
4) When did Jonah remember God? Verse 7. During a moment of desperation, when he was near death. Do you think Jonah was amazed that God answered his prayer? Speaking for myself, I would be. Why? Jonah did not deserve God’s mercy. He deserved to punishment for blatantly disobeying God. Who was responsible for the state Jonah was in? My opinion: Jonah. If he had done what God told him to do, he would not have gone through a near death experience. He would not be inside a big fish.
5) Share in your own words what Jonah was saying in verse 8. Those who worship anyone or anything other than God are undeserving of grace. Grace is undeserved/unmerited favor. It is undeserved mercy and compassion. Jonah did not deserve mercy; he deserved to drown. Why did he not drown? Grace. Where does grace come from? What is the source of grace? Who is the source of grace? God. How could God show compassion to Jonah? Grace. In order to show compassion/mercy, one must have grace. For an illustration of grace, read the story of the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15:11-12.
6) When did God release Jonah from the great fish? a) After Jonah agreed to fulfill his vow to God. God, you win. I’ll carry out my mission to be a prophet. God says to a prophet “Tell the people …” A prophet was expected to go and say it.
The final words in Jonah’s prayer are “Salvation comes from the Lord.” Remember these words Jonah spoke. We’ll come back to them later in the Book of Jonah.
7) What do you think Jonah’s physical appearance was like after being in the belly of a fish for 3 days? Skin may have been bleached white from fish’s digestive fluids.
What did God teach Jonah in chapters 1 and 2? 1) You can’t run away from God. 2) A lesson in compassion and mercy. a) Jonah experienced mercy from Gentiles on the ship. They refused to immediately throw Jonah off the ship despite the fact Jonah said if they did the storm would end. They did everything they could to spare Jonah’s life. b) God showed Jonah compassion/mercy by sparing him from drowning. He sent the big fish to spare Jonah’s life despite the fact that Jonah deserved punishment for blatantly disobeying God.
2) How would you characterize Jonah’s prayer? Jonah is reflecting on what happened in the moments after he was thrown off the ship three days earlier. He was sinking like a rock into the waters. He was headed for the bottom of ocean. Read verses 4 & 7. Jonah believed his situation to be hopeless. God had removed him from His presence. He would not spare Jonah. However, Jonah chose to cry out to God in hopes that He would spare him. In both verses, Jonah references the temple. Why? Read I Kings 8:30 - Listen to the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place (the Temple); hear in heaven Your dwelling place; hear and forgive. This verse is part of a prayer spoken by King Solomon delivered at the dedication of the temple. I believe in his last moments of life, Jonah remembered the words of Solomon’s prayer. Did God hear Jonah’s cry for salvation? Yes. See verse 6. How did God save his life? Sent a big fish to swallow him. Did Jonah complain about how God saved him? No. Read verse 9. He thanked God for sparing his life. Chapter 2 is a prayer of thanksgiving from Jonah to God.
3) How did Jonah view being in the belly of the great fish? Salvation or punishment? Salvation. (see verse 9) Which did Jonah deserve? Punishment. He had blatantly disobeyed God. How long did it take for Jonah to realize the whale was God’s method of salvation and not punishment? Three days and nights have passed and he has not been digested.
4) When did Jonah remember God? Verse 7. During a moment of desperation, when he was near death. Do you think Jonah was amazed that God answered his prayer? Speaking for myself, I would be. Why? Jonah did not deserve God’s mercy. He deserved to punishment for blatantly disobeying God. Who was responsible for the state Jonah was in? My opinion: Jonah. If he had done what God told him to do, he would not have gone through a near death experience. He would not be inside a big fish.
5) Share in your own words what Jonah was saying in verse 8. Those who worship anyone or anything other than God are undeserving of grace. Grace is undeserved/unmerited favor. It is undeserved mercy and compassion. Jonah did not deserve mercy; he deserved to drown. Why did he not drown? Grace. Where does grace come from? What is the source of grace? Who is the source of grace? God. How could God show compassion to Jonah? Grace. In order to show compassion/mercy, one must have grace. For an illustration of grace, read the story of the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15:11-12.
6) When did God release Jonah from the great fish? a) After Jonah agreed to fulfill his vow to God. God, you win. I’ll carry out my mission to be a prophet. God says to a prophet “Tell the people …” A prophet was expected to go and say it.
The final words in Jonah’s prayer are “Salvation comes from the Lord.” Remember these words Jonah spoke. We’ll come back to them later in the Book of Jonah.
7) What do you think Jonah’s physical appearance was like after being in the belly of a fish for 3 days? Skin may have been bleached white from fish’s digestive fluids.
What did God teach Jonah in chapters 1 and 2? 1) You can’t run away from God. 2) A lesson in compassion and mercy. a) Jonah experienced mercy from Gentiles on the ship. They refused to immediately throw Jonah off the ship despite the fact Jonah said if they did the storm would end. They did everything they could to spare Jonah’s life. b) God showed Jonah compassion/mercy by sparing him from drowning. He sent the big fish to spare Jonah’s life despite the fact that Jonah deserved punishment for blatantly disobeying God.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Jonah chapter 1
1) What did God tell Jonah to do? “Go and cry against it!” What does that mean? God says nothing about offering repentance to Nineveh. The last time the phrase “its wickedness has come up before me” was spoken against a city/cities was Sodom and Gomorrah. How did Jonah respond? He refused to go to Nineveh. Why did he respond this way?
When God called Jonah to prophecy to the people of the Northern Kingdom in II Kings, did Jonah have a problem doing it? No. God calls Jonah to prophecy to this city Nineveh, and Jonah refuses? What’s the difference? What was Jonah’s reason for not going to Nineveh? Was it out of fear or something else? The answer is found in Jonah 4:2. Jonah was afraid but not of the Assyrians. He was afraid of God’s compassion/mercy. Jonah knew that if he preached to the Ninevites and by some slim chance they repent and turn to God, that God being a merciful God would forgive them their sins and not destroy Nineveh. Jonah did not want that to happen. He figured that by not going to Nineveh, they won’t hear God’s message; therefore, they won’t repent; and therefore, God would destroy the city like he did Sodom and Gomorrah. Good riddance. Nineveh deserves to be destroyed. What was Jonah’s reason for not going to Nineveh? Prejudice. The Assyrians are Gentiles. Gentiles do not deserve God’s mercy/blessings. Only his Chosen People … the children of Israel deserve that. Moreover, the Ninevites are a cruel, mean, nasty people. They are the Northern Kingdom’s #1 enemy. If God destroys Nineveh, Assyria would no longer be a threat to Jonah’s country. Knowing all this would you have made the same decision as Jonah to not preach to Nineveh? Imagine if you were a Jewish Christian living during the early days of WWII and God called you to leave the U.S. to go to Berlin and preach the gospel to the Nazis. Your response might be the same as Jonah’s.
Why did God call Jonah to prophesy to the Assyrians? Why not Amos or Hosea who were Jonah’s fellow prophets in the Northern Kingdom? Jonah was a man of God. But he also had a heart problem - prejudice. Jonah shared the same attitude toward Gentiles that people in the Northern kingdom had. I believe that is the very reason why God called Jonah to go to Nineveh and not Hosea and Amos. God did not pick Jonah’s name out of a hat. He didn’t say, “Let’s see … who can I send to Nineveh? Jonah’s available. I’ll send him.” He wanted to open Jonah’s eyes to the fact that God’s love and compassion is not limited to one people of the world but that He shows love and compassion for all people. A prejudiced person like Jonah would see God show love and compassion to a Gentile nation and not just any Gentile nation, but the cruelest one on the face of the earth. God wanted to change Jonah’s heart by teaching him this lesson and then take that message back to Israel and change their hearts. You can see that God’s purpose for sending Jonah on this mission to Nineveh was not limited to Nineveh. It also included Jonah and the Northern Kingdom.
A contemporary example – A Christian has issues with homosexuals. He/she is prejudiced toward them. Gays do not deserve mercy/compassion. They deserve damnation. Then, God calls that Christian to minister to homosexuals, specifically those dying from AIDS. What’s God’s purpose for doing this? A learning opportunity for the Christian.
Has God ever told you to do something that you didn’t want to do? Why did you not want to do it? How did you respond? If we were in Jonah’s shoes our problem may have been fear not prejudice. God wants me to walk into Nineveh alone – my people’s #1 enemy … a people notorious for their cruelty and He wants me to preach against them.
As Christians, we can’t pick and choose who we minister to. We can’t pick and choose who to love/show compassion. That decision is not ours, its God’s. God says “Arise, go” what are we to do? Arise and go. If not, how does God respond? See that next.
2) Where did Jonah attempt to flee to? Tarshish. Where was this city located in relation to Nineveh?
From Joppa to Nineveh – about 800 miles. From Joppa to Tarshish – about 2500 miles. Tarshish was a Phoenician trading colony at the west end of the Mediterranean Sea. Past Tarshish was the unknown. Jonah wanted to get as far away from Nineveh as possible.
3) What happened soon after Jonah’s ship set out to sea? God hurled a mighty storm against the ship carrying Jonah. God does not take “No” for an answer. When God tells you to do something he expects you to do it. If He wanted somebody else to do it, he would have called somebody else. If He wanted Hosea or Amos to preach to Nineveh, He would have called one of them. But He didn’t, He called Jonah. If God called you to do something, and for whatever reason (fear, lack of self-confidence) you refuse, don’t think God will say “OK” and move on. If God wanted somebody else to do it, He would have called somebody else. But He didn’t, He called you. As long as you run away from Him, He’s going to continue to pursue you. If you persist in running from your call, you are not going to know true peace.
4) Did the consequences of Jonah’s disobedience impact only him? No. His disobedience put the lives of the men on the ship in jeopardy. Do not think that the consequences of your sin impact only you and not the people around (family, friends, strangers).
5) What did the captain of the ship ask Jonah to do? Pray. Do you think he did it? We do not know for sure. Scripture does not say that Jonah got on his knees to seek God’s intervention. If he did pray, God told Jonah, “You know what it will take to stop this storm Jonah – go to Nineveh.” See answer to question 8. If Jonah did not pray to God, it was because he knew what God’s response would be – “Go to Nineveh” – and Jonah was determined not to go to Nineveh.
6) At what point did Jonah admit he was responsible for putting everyone on the ship in danger? After the crew gambled to see who was at fault. The dice said it was Jonah. God rigged the game so the dice would point to Jonah.
7) Why were the sailors terrified by Jonah’s response to their questioning? Jonah told them that his God was an extremely powerful God because He was not only God of the land but also God of the sea. Moreover, Jonah explained he was running away from this God. Sailors’ response “How could you do something so stupid as to make such a God angry? You have put our lives at risk.”
8) This is a head scratcher. Why did Jonah tell the sailors they had to pick him up and throw in the sea for God to still the storm? Why didn’t he just jump in the water? There is no right answer to this question. We do not know for certain why. What I believe, and this is just me speculating, if Jonah prayed to God as the ship’s captain asked, God answered Jonah by tellong him that in order for the storm to end, the sailors would have to throw him into the sea for the purpose of teaching Jonah a lesson in compassion/mercy. You may be saying “Huh?” How could having Jonah thrown off the ship by the sailors be a teaching opportunity re: compassion? Read verse 13 and 14.
9) Did the sailors act quickly to throw Jonah off the ship when they realized he was to blame for the storm? No. They refused to throw Jonah overboard. They did not want Jonah to die. They did not want his blood on their hands. Think about it. These pagan Gentiles had compassion/mercy for a Hebrew/Israelite who in his heart despised them. Do you see the contrast? Jonah refused to preach salvation to a pagan Gentile nation because he had no compassion for them. Yet these Gentile sailors made every effort to save Jonah because they had compassion for him. God here is attempting to teach Jonah a lesson in compassion. Ultimately, the sailors have no choice but to do what Jonah said. They prayed to God not to hold them accountable for Jonah’s death. They threw Jonah into the sea and as soon as he hit the water the storm stopped raging. The sea was peaceful once more. The sailors worshipped God and made promises to behave.
10) At the moment Jonah was thrown off the ship into the raging sea, what do you think Jonah believed would happen to him? He would drown and die. What did happen to him? A great fish swallowed Jonah whole. Jonah remained inside the fish for three days and three nights.
11) What was the purpose of the great fish? 1) As well see in chapter 2, salvation 2) Give Jonah a time out. What is a time out? What purpose does it serve? Think things out. Think about what you did. How did I end up in this situation? How do I get out? A time out is done in a place of solitude. No one else to consult; no seeking advice from a half dozen people. Just Jonah and God.
Has God ever given you a time out?
When God called Jonah to prophecy to the people of the Northern Kingdom in II Kings, did Jonah have a problem doing it? No. God calls Jonah to prophecy to this city Nineveh, and Jonah refuses? What’s the difference? What was Jonah’s reason for not going to Nineveh? Was it out of fear or something else? The answer is found in Jonah 4:2. Jonah was afraid but not of the Assyrians. He was afraid of God’s compassion/mercy. Jonah knew that if he preached to the Ninevites and by some slim chance they repent and turn to God, that God being a merciful God would forgive them their sins and not destroy Nineveh. Jonah did not want that to happen. He figured that by not going to Nineveh, they won’t hear God’s message; therefore, they won’t repent; and therefore, God would destroy the city like he did Sodom and Gomorrah. Good riddance. Nineveh deserves to be destroyed. What was Jonah’s reason for not going to Nineveh? Prejudice. The Assyrians are Gentiles. Gentiles do not deserve God’s mercy/blessings. Only his Chosen People … the children of Israel deserve that. Moreover, the Ninevites are a cruel, mean, nasty people. They are the Northern Kingdom’s #1 enemy. If God destroys Nineveh, Assyria would no longer be a threat to Jonah’s country. Knowing all this would you have made the same decision as Jonah to not preach to Nineveh? Imagine if you were a Jewish Christian living during the early days of WWII and God called you to leave the U.S. to go to Berlin and preach the gospel to the Nazis. Your response might be the same as Jonah’s.
Why did God call Jonah to prophesy to the Assyrians? Why not Amos or Hosea who were Jonah’s fellow prophets in the Northern Kingdom? Jonah was a man of God. But he also had a heart problem - prejudice. Jonah shared the same attitude toward Gentiles that people in the Northern kingdom had. I believe that is the very reason why God called Jonah to go to Nineveh and not Hosea and Amos. God did not pick Jonah’s name out of a hat. He didn’t say, “Let’s see … who can I send to Nineveh? Jonah’s available. I’ll send him.” He wanted to open Jonah’s eyes to the fact that God’s love and compassion is not limited to one people of the world but that He shows love and compassion for all people. A prejudiced person like Jonah would see God show love and compassion to a Gentile nation and not just any Gentile nation, but the cruelest one on the face of the earth. God wanted to change Jonah’s heart by teaching him this lesson and then take that message back to Israel and change their hearts. You can see that God’s purpose for sending Jonah on this mission to Nineveh was not limited to Nineveh. It also included Jonah and the Northern Kingdom.
A contemporary example – A Christian has issues with homosexuals. He/she is prejudiced toward them. Gays do not deserve mercy/compassion. They deserve damnation. Then, God calls that Christian to minister to homosexuals, specifically those dying from AIDS. What’s God’s purpose for doing this? A learning opportunity for the Christian.
Has God ever told you to do something that you didn’t want to do? Why did you not want to do it? How did you respond? If we were in Jonah’s shoes our problem may have been fear not prejudice. God wants me to walk into Nineveh alone – my people’s #1 enemy … a people notorious for their cruelty and He wants me to preach against them.
As Christians, we can’t pick and choose who we minister to. We can’t pick and choose who to love/show compassion. That decision is not ours, its God’s. God says “Arise, go” what are we to do? Arise and go. If not, how does God respond? See that next.
2) Where did Jonah attempt to flee to? Tarshish. Where was this city located in relation to Nineveh?
From Joppa to Nineveh – about 800 miles. From Joppa to Tarshish – about 2500 miles. Tarshish was a Phoenician trading colony at the west end of the Mediterranean Sea. Past Tarshish was the unknown. Jonah wanted to get as far away from Nineveh as possible.
3) What happened soon after Jonah’s ship set out to sea? God hurled a mighty storm against the ship carrying Jonah. God does not take “No” for an answer. When God tells you to do something he expects you to do it. If He wanted somebody else to do it, he would have called somebody else. If He wanted Hosea or Amos to preach to Nineveh, He would have called one of them. But He didn’t, He called Jonah. If God called you to do something, and for whatever reason (fear, lack of self-confidence) you refuse, don’t think God will say “OK” and move on. If God wanted somebody else to do it, He would have called somebody else. But He didn’t, He called you. As long as you run away from Him, He’s going to continue to pursue you. If you persist in running from your call, you are not going to know true peace.
4) Did the consequences of Jonah’s disobedience impact only him? No. His disobedience put the lives of the men on the ship in jeopardy. Do not think that the consequences of your sin impact only you and not the people around (family, friends, strangers).
5) What did the captain of the ship ask Jonah to do? Pray. Do you think he did it? We do not know for sure. Scripture does not say that Jonah got on his knees to seek God’s intervention. If he did pray, God told Jonah, “You know what it will take to stop this storm Jonah – go to Nineveh.” See answer to question 8. If Jonah did not pray to God, it was because he knew what God’s response would be – “Go to Nineveh” – and Jonah was determined not to go to Nineveh.
6) At what point did Jonah admit he was responsible for putting everyone on the ship in danger? After the crew gambled to see who was at fault. The dice said it was Jonah. God rigged the game so the dice would point to Jonah.
7) Why were the sailors terrified by Jonah’s response to their questioning? Jonah told them that his God was an extremely powerful God because He was not only God of the land but also God of the sea. Moreover, Jonah explained he was running away from this God. Sailors’ response “How could you do something so stupid as to make such a God angry? You have put our lives at risk.”
8) This is a head scratcher. Why did Jonah tell the sailors they had to pick him up and throw in the sea for God to still the storm? Why didn’t he just jump in the water? There is no right answer to this question. We do not know for certain why. What I believe, and this is just me speculating, if Jonah prayed to God as the ship’s captain asked, God answered Jonah by tellong him that in order for the storm to end, the sailors would have to throw him into the sea for the purpose of teaching Jonah a lesson in compassion/mercy. You may be saying “Huh?” How could having Jonah thrown off the ship by the sailors be a teaching opportunity re: compassion? Read verse 13 and 14.
9) Did the sailors act quickly to throw Jonah off the ship when they realized he was to blame for the storm? No. They refused to throw Jonah overboard. They did not want Jonah to die. They did not want his blood on their hands. Think about it. These pagan Gentiles had compassion/mercy for a Hebrew/Israelite who in his heart despised them. Do you see the contrast? Jonah refused to preach salvation to a pagan Gentile nation because he had no compassion for them. Yet these Gentile sailors made every effort to save Jonah because they had compassion for him. God here is attempting to teach Jonah a lesson in compassion. Ultimately, the sailors have no choice but to do what Jonah said. They prayed to God not to hold them accountable for Jonah’s death. They threw Jonah into the sea and as soon as he hit the water the storm stopped raging. The sea was peaceful once more. The sailors worshipped God and made promises to behave.
10) At the moment Jonah was thrown off the ship into the raging sea, what do you think Jonah believed would happen to him? He would drown and die. What did happen to him? A great fish swallowed Jonah whole. Jonah remained inside the fish for three days and three nights.
11) What was the purpose of the great fish? 1) As well see in chapter 2, salvation 2) Give Jonah a time out. What is a time out? What purpose does it serve? Think things out. Think about what you did. How did I end up in this situation? How do I get out? A time out is done in a place of solitude. No one else to consult; no seeking advice from a half dozen people. Just Jonah and God.
Has God ever given you a time out?
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Background on the Book of Jonah
Background - Context of the times Jonah prophesied (800-750 B.C.). The nation of Israel was divided into two kingdoms – the Northern Kingdom of Israel, also called Samaria. It consisted of ten of the twelve tribes of Israel. Its capital was Samaria. The Southern Kingdom consisted of two tribes, Judah and Benjamin, with its capital in Jerusalem.
Life in the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
Northern Kingdom - Jonah prophesied during the reign of Jereboam II, an evil king who did what was evil in the sight of God. Jonah prophesied about the same time as two other prophets - Amos and Hosea. All three prophesied in the Northern Kingdom. We first encounter Jonah in the Bible in II Kings 14:23-27.
23 In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah, Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel became king in Samaria, and reigned forty-one years.
24 He did evil in the sight of the LORD; he did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel sin.
25 He restored the border of Israel from the entrance of Hamath as far as the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the LORD, the God of Israel, which He spoke through His servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was of Gath-hepher.
26 For the LORD saw the affliction of Israel, which was very bitter; for there was neither bond nor free, nor was there any helper for Israel.
27 The LORD did not say that He would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, but He saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash.
Jonah was born in Gath-hepher in the Northern kingdom – a town northeast of Nazareth near the sea of Galilee. What did Jonah prophecy about? It was good stuff. He prophesied about the restoration of Israel’s borders. Despite Israel’s sins, God showed compassion/mercy on Israel. God hoped that by showing mercy to Israel they would see him as the one true God and return to Him. God’s word through Jonah was fulfilled by Jereboam II. Israel’s borders were expanded during his reign. The Northern Kingdom was strong politically. Economic prosperity soon followed. God had blessed the Northern Kingdom. Unfortunately, during this time of prosperity, Israel developed spiritual arrogance/pride. They thought they were special because they were God’s chosen people/most favored nation. They were the children Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Illustrations of pride:
a) Prosperity led to moral and religious corruption (idolatry – God called it adultery. He often called Israel an adulteress/prostitute; sexual immorality, no compassion for the poor, widows, orphans). The people of the Northern Kingdom were not concerned about their spiritual decline. After all, they were still “worshipping” God. They continued to perform the worship rituals God required of them. They worshipped God on the Sabbath as required. But the rest of the time they lived life however they pleased. They believed God would still bless them regardless of how they lived their lives. After all, the people of Israel were His Chosen People. Is this attitude prevalent among people in today’s Church? As long as I go to church on Sunday, tithe my 10%, and do a good deed every once in awhile, God will bless me.
b) Pride created a heart of prejudice in the people of the Northern Kingdom towards other peoples of the world whom the people of Israel referred to as Gentiles. The people in Northern Kingdom lived in expectation of the “day of the Lord” (Amos 5:18-20) when God would wipe out all the Gentile nations while Israel relaxes in His light. According to Jewish tradition, Gentiles were fuel for the fires of hell. God had no use for any other nation but Israel because the Israelites were His people. That was not true. Israel was chosen by God to be a light to all nations. They were to be an example of what it meant to be a people of God for other nations to follow. They were to point the peoples of the world to God. Read Genesis 12:2-3; I Kings 8:41-43; Jeremiah 3:14 - 4: 2; Zecheriah. 2:11; 8:20-23.
The Assyrian Empire
Assyria was the most powerful empire in the region. See map. Its greatest city was Nineveh. Its ruins can be seen today near the city of Mosul in Iraq. The Assyrians were known for their cruelty. It was a very militaristic society. Conquest was a divine mission of kings. Their writings reflect their pride in the devastation of their enemies. The Assyrians rejoiced in butchery. Quotes from Assyrian kings - “I cut their throats like sheep,” recorded one king. Another king - “I caused great slaughter. I destroyed, I demolished, I burned. I took their warriors prisoner and impaled them on stakes before their cities.” After sacking one city, an Assyrian king stacked the corpses of the dead like firewood outside the gate, then flayed the nobles who opposed them, and spread their skins out on the piles. After another battle, a king wrote “Many of the captives I burned in fire. Many I took alive; from some I cut off their hands to the wrist, from others I cut off their noses, ears, and fingers; I put out the eyes of many of the soldiers. I burnt their young women and men to death.” What was the purpose of such cruelty by Assyria? It was a deliberate design to instill fear and submission into conquered peoples. The Assyrians also used exile as a means to enforce their rule. They shuffled peoples of different nations from one place to another in the Middle East. Many were sent to Assyria to work as laborers/artisans. The Assyrians shifted 4 million people around Middle East. Consequently, the Northern Kingdom, along with all other peoples in the Middle East, lived in constant terror of Assyria. It was this huge, bloody monster on Israel’s border poised to swallow the Northern Kingdom at any moment. The threat of Assyria added more fuel to Israel’s hatred of Gentiles.
The Assyrians were a very religious people. The Assyrian king was a spiritual leader as well as a political leader. The Assyrian king was regarded as an earthly delegate of the gods. His number one priority was to keep the gods happy. He did this by consulting priests, oracles, exorcists, diviners, astrologers, and soothsayers, fasting, or retreating to a reed hut for a week. The Assyrians were also a very superstitious people. A solar eclipse foretold the death of the Assyrian king. When a solar eclipse began the king quickly abdicated in favor of a substitute. After 100 days, the king returned to the capital. The substitute king and his family members were then killed to fulfill the prophecy.
At the end of our study of the Book of Jonah, we will answer the following questions: Why was Book of Jonah included in Scripture? What did God want Israel to learn from Book of Jonah? Did they? What does God want us to learn from the Book of Jonah? Do you and I get it?
Life in the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
Northern Kingdom - Jonah prophesied during the reign of Jereboam II, an evil king who did what was evil in the sight of God. Jonah prophesied about the same time as two other prophets - Amos and Hosea. All three prophesied in the Northern Kingdom. We first encounter Jonah in the Bible in II Kings 14:23-27.
23 In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah, Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel became king in Samaria, and reigned forty-one years.
24 He did evil in the sight of the LORD; he did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel sin.
25 He restored the border of Israel from the entrance of Hamath as far as the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the LORD, the God of Israel, which He spoke through His servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was of Gath-hepher.
26 For the LORD saw the affliction of Israel, which was very bitter; for there was neither bond nor free, nor was there any helper for Israel.
27 The LORD did not say that He would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, but He saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash.
Jonah was born in Gath-hepher in the Northern kingdom – a town northeast of Nazareth near the sea of Galilee. What did Jonah prophecy about? It was good stuff. He prophesied about the restoration of Israel’s borders. Despite Israel’s sins, God showed compassion/mercy on Israel. God hoped that by showing mercy to Israel they would see him as the one true God and return to Him. God’s word through Jonah was fulfilled by Jereboam II. Israel’s borders were expanded during his reign. The Northern Kingdom was strong politically. Economic prosperity soon followed. God had blessed the Northern Kingdom. Unfortunately, during this time of prosperity, Israel developed spiritual arrogance/pride. They thought they were special because they were God’s chosen people/most favored nation. They were the children Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Illustrations of pride:
a) Prosperity led to moral and religious corruption (idolatry – God called it adultery. He often called Israel an adulteress/prostitute; sexual immorality, no compassion for the poor, widows, orphans). The people of the Northern Kingdom were not concerned about their spiritual decline. After all, they were still “worshipping” God. They continued to perform the worship rituals God required of them. They worshipped God on the Sabbath as required. But the rest of the time they lived life however they pleased. They believed God would still bless them regardless of how they lived their lives. After all, the people of Israel were His Chosen People. Is this attitude prevalent among people in today’s Church? As long as I go to church on Sunday, tithe my 10%, and do a good deed every once in awhile, God will bless me.
b) Pride created a heart of prejudice in the people of the Northern Kingdom towards other peoples of the world whom the people of Israel referred to as Gentiles. The people in Northern Kingdom lived in expectation of the “day of the Lord” (Amos 5:18-20) when God would wipe out all the Gentile nations while Israel relaxes in His light. According to Jewish tradition, Gentiles were fuel for the fires of hell. God had no use for any other nation but Israel because the Israelites were His people. That was not true. Israel was chosen by God to be a light to all nations. They were to be an example of what it meant to be a people of God for other nations to follow. They were to point the peoples of the world to God. Read Genesis 12:2-3; I Kings 8:41-43; Jeremiah 3:14 - 4: 2; Zecheriah. 2:11; 8:20-23.
The Assyrian Empire
Assyria was the most powerful empire in the region. See map. Its greatest city was Nineveh. Its ruins can be seen today near the city of Mosul in Iraq. The Assyrians were known for their cruelty. It was a very militaristic society. Conquest was a divine mission of kings. Their writings reflect their pride in the devastation of their enemies. The Assyrians rejoiced in butchery. Quotes from Assyrian kings - “I cut their throats like sheep,” recorded one king. Another king - “I caused great slaughter. I destroyed, I demolished, I burned. I took their warriors prisoner and impaled them on stakes before their cities.” After sacking one city, an Assyrian king stacked the corpses of the dead like firewood outside the gate, then flayed the nobles who opposed them, and spread their skins out on the piles. After another battle, a king wrote “Many of the captives I burned in fire. Many I took alive; from some I cut off their hands to the wrist, from others I cut off their noses, ears, and fingers; I put out the eyes of many of the soldiers. I burnt their young women and men to death.” What was the purpose of such cruelty by Assyria? It was a deliberate design to instill fear and submission into conquered peoples. The Assyrians also used exile as a means to enforce their rule. They shuffled peoples of different nations from one place to another in the Middle East. Many were sent to Assyria to work as laborers/artisans. The Assyrians shifted 4 million people around Middle East. Consequently, the Northern Kingdom, along with all other peoples in the Middle East, lived in constant terror of Assyria. It was this huge, bloody monster on Israel’s border poised to swallow the Northern Kingdom at any moment. The threat of Assyria added more fuel to Israel’s hatred of Gentiles.
The Assyrians were a very religious people. The Assyrian king was a spiritual leader as well as a political leader. The Assyrian king was regarded as an earthly delegate of the gods. His number one priority was to keep the gods happy. He did this by consulting priests, oracles, exorcists, diviners, astrologers, and soothsayers, fasting, or retreating to a reed hut for a week. The Assyrians were also a very superstitious people. A solar eclipse foretold the death of the Assyrian king. When a solar eclipse began the king quickly abdicated in favor of a substitute. After 100 days, the king returned to the capital. The substitute king and his family members were then killed to fulfill the prophecy.
At the end of our study of the Book of Jonah, we will answer the following questions: Why was Book of Jonah included in Scripture? What did God want Israel to learn from Book of Jonah? Did they? What does God want us to learn from the Book of Jonah? Do you and I get it?
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Books of Poetry and Wisdom pt. 2
20. Proverbs – the title of this book comes from the word proverb – a short, wise saying that expresses effectively some commonplace truth or useful thought. Can anyone think of a proverb you have heard maybe from your parents or grandparents or in a sermon? “A penny saved is a penny earned.” – Ben Franklin; “More depends on my walk than my talk.” – D.L. Moody; “Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some person ever reads.” – William J. Toms. The Book of Proverbs is a collection of short, wise sayings. All but the two last chapters were written by King Solomon. According to I Kings 4:32, Solomon wrote 3000 proverbs and more than a thousand songs. The Book of Proverbs contains 800 of Solomon’s proverbs. They were probably written during Solomon’s middle age years when his relationship with God was the strongest (I Kings chapter 3-10.) Solomon gives his reasons for writing these words of wisdom in Proverbs chapter 1 – to teach readers wisdom and discipline and to help them understand wise sayings so that they can live a balanced, righteous, and just life … to become wise so that we can know what is good and what is evil and apply that knowledge correctly (embrace good, shun evil). The result will be a life of happiness. Topics covered in Proverbs – friendship, conflict resolution, finances, parenting, marriage, etc. His proverbs are directed at men and women, husbands and wives, parents and children. The words, sayings, and imagery used by Solomon to teach wisdom are very simplistic, practical, and sometimes humorous. Examples: Read Proverbs 15:1, chapter 17; chapter 21:19, Proverbs 26:11
Last two chapters of Proverbs were not written by Solomon. The last chapter written by King Lemuel is very significant. They were words of wisdom passed down to him by his mother. The majority of the chapter lists the traits of a virtuous/noble woman.
Theme: Wisdom
Chapters1-29: Proverbs of Solomon
Chapters 30-31: Proverbs of Agur and King Lemuel
Key verses: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7); Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
21. Ecclesiastes - the title of this book comes from the Greek word for “Preacher/Teacher” – the name the author of Ecclesiastes refers to himself as. The authorship of Ecclesiastes is attributed to Solomon. (Eccles. 1:1). Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes during the last years of his life. During the second half of his life, Solomon abandoned God for fleshly pleasures (700 wives, 300 concubines) that led him to worship other gods and for the pleasures that came with being the wealthiest and most famous person in the world. However, as an anonymous writer of proverbs (not found in the Bible) once said, “all good things must come to an end.” Death was coming for Solomon. As it neared, Solomon began to reflect back on his life and remember all his great accomplishments – wealth, power, fame, architecture, pleasures of the flesh, etc. His conclusion – his life was meaningless. Why? God was not in it. Without God, life is meaningless … accomplishments are meaningless. When you die, what good are wealth, fame, power, palaces, and pleasures of the flesh? They are not eternal. It’s as if at the end of his life, Solomon’s heart and mind all at once became clear after a lengthy darkness. Spiritual cold water splashed in his face waking him up to the reality of what he made of his life. Solomon writes down his thoughts in a last will and testament known as Ecclesiastes for posterity to read so that we do make the same mistake he did.
Theme: A life lived without God is a meaningless/worthless life.
Ecclesiastes 1-12:8: The Futility of Life
Ecclesiastes 12:9-14: True meaning in life is found in obedience to God
Key verses: “Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher, “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity." (Ecclesiastes 1:2); The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
22. Song of Songs/Song of Solomon – written by Solomon during his younger years. It is a romantic dialogue between Solomon and his bride set to music. A duet with a choir chiming in every once and awhile. The two lovers express their deepest love for one another in romantic, poetic, metaphorical (word pictures), and, (what we would refer as today but in Solomon’s day they would not) explicit language. Read chapter 4:1-5, chapter 5:10-16, chapter 6:10. The metaphors used by the lovers were designed to stir up passion and a feeling of “I am special to my lover.” Because of the subject matter, Song of Songs was rated PG-30 by the Jewish elders. No one was allowed to read this book until age 30. Even today, the Song of Songs is rarely mentioned or even read in churches today because of the sexual content found in the book. When Song of Songs was brought up in church, Jewish and Christian leaders would say that the book was an allegory/illustration of God’s relationship with is people (Jews – Israel; Christians – the Church). Why is that case? The followers of God, Jews and Christians, have allowed the World to hijack the meaning of sex. Pornography and sexual immorality have been pervasive in the world for thousands of years. Jewish and Christian reaction to this was an extreme overreaction. They labeled sex and anything to do with sex as taboo, even a book in the Bible - the Song of Songs. Sex was not something men and women were to take pleasure in. Rather, its only purpose was procreation. Jewish and Christian leaders made sex more of a job than a joy. Moreover, Song of Songs is one of only two books in the Bible that God’s name is not mentioned. (The other is Esther.) Given all that, why is the Song of Songs even in the Bible? To teach/instruct men and women that love, especially sexual love, is not something to be perceived as dirty, embarrassing, or unmentionable. Rather, love was created by God for men and women to enjoy … to take pleasure in with this caveat – that it be expressed in an exclusive, monogamous, husband and wife relationship. This love was to be expressed not just physically but also verbally by both man and woman. Verbal expressions of love fan the flames of passion in a relationship. They also gauge the depth of a relationship. The two lovers call one another different titles “my bride, my lover, my darling” but they also call one another “my friend.” The two were not only lovers; they were also friends. Their love was a deep love. It was not based solely on romantic notions of love. Friends confide in one another their joys and fears. Friendship strengthens the bonds of love. Ultimately, the Song of Songs is a refreshing reminder of the beauty and wonder of love shared by a man and a woman.
Song of Songs chapters 1-8: Celebrating Love
Key verse: I belong to my lover and his desire is for me. (Song of Songs 7:10)
Last two chapters of Proverbs were not written by Solomon. The last chapter written by King Lemuel is very significant. They were words of wisdom passed down to him by his mother. The majority of the chapter lists the traits of a virtuous/noble woman.
Theme: Wisdom
Chapters1-29: Proverbs of Solomon
Chapters 30-31: Proverbs of Agur and King Lemuel
Key verses: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7); Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
21. Ecclesiastes - the title of this book comes from the Greek word for “Preacher/Teacher” – the name the author of Ecclesiastes refers to himself as. The authorship of Ecclesiastes is attributed to Solomon. (Eccles. 1:1). Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes during the last years of his life. During the second half of his life, Solomon abandoned God for fleshly pleasures (700 wives, 300 concubines) that led him to worship other gods and for the pleasures that came with being the wealthiest and most famous person in the world. However, as an anonymous writer of proverbs (not found in the Bible) once said, “all good things must come to an end.” Death was coming for Solomon. As it neared, Solomon began to reflect back on his life and remember all his great accomplishments – wealth, power, fame, architecture, pleasures of the flesh, etc. His conclusion – his life was meaningless. Why? God was not in it. Without God, life is meaningless … accomplishments are meaningless. When you die, what good are wealth, fame, power, palaces, and pleasures of the flesh? They are not eternal. It’s as if at the end of his life, Solomon’s heart and mind all at once became clear after a lengthy darkness. Spiritual cold water splashed in his face waking him up to the reality of what he made of his life. Solomon writes down his thoughts in a last will and testament known as Ecclesiastes for posterity to read so that we do make the same mistake he did.
Theme: A life lived without God is a meaningless/worthless life.
Ecclesiastes 1-12:8: The Futility of Life
Ecclesiastes 12:9-14: True meaning in life is found in obedience to God
Key verses: “Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher, “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity." (Ecclesiastes 1:2); The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
22. Song of Songs/Song of Solomon – written by Solomon during his younger years. It is a romantic dialogue between Solomon and his bride set to music. A duet with a choir chiming in every once and awhile. The two lovers express their deepest love for one another in romantic, poetic, metaphorical (word pictures), and, (what we would refer as today but in Solomon’s day they would not) explicit language. Read chapter 4:1-5, chapter 5:10-16, chapter 6:10. The metaphors used by the lovers were designed to stir up passion and a feeling of “I am special to my lover.” Because of the subject matter, Song of Songs was rated PG-30 by the Jewish elders. No one was allowed to read this book until age 30. Even today, the Song of Songs is rarely mentioned or even read in churches today because of the sexual content found in the book. When Song of Songs was brought up in church, Jewish and Christian leaders would say that the book was an allegory/illustration of God’s relationship with is people (Jews – Israel; Christians – the Church). Why is that case? The followers of God, Jews and Christians, have allowed the World to hijack the meaning of sex. Pornography and sexual immorality have been pervasive in the world for thousands of years. Jewish and Christian reaction to this was an extreme overreaction. They labeled sex and anything to do with sex as taboo, even a book in the Bible - the Song of Songs. Sex was not something men and women were to take pleasure in. Rather, its only purpose was procreation. Jewish and Christian leaders made sex more of a job than a joy. Moreover, Song of Songs is one of only two books in the Bible that God’s name is not mentioned. (The other is Esther.) Given all that, why is the Song of Songs even in the Bible? To teach/instruct men and women that love, especially sexual love, is not something to be perceived as dirty, embarrassing, or unmentionable. Rather, love was created by God for men and women to enjoy … to take pleasure in with this caveat – that it be expressed in an exclusive, monogamous, husband and wife relationship. This love was to be expressed not just physically but also verbally by both man and woman. Verbal expressions of love fan the flames of passion in a relationship. They also gauge the depth of a relationship. The two lovers call one another different titles “my bride, my lover, my darling” but they also call one another “my friend.” The two were not only lovers; they were also friends. Their love was a deep love. It was not based solely on romantic notions of love. Friends confide in one another their joys and fears. Friendship strengthens the bonds of love. Ultimately, the Song of Songs is a refreshing reminder of the beauty and wonder of love shared by a man and a woman.
Song of Songs chapters 1-8: Celebrating Love
Key verse: I belong to my lover and his desire is for me. (Song of Songs 7:10)
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Books of Poetry and Wisdom pt. 1
C. Books of poetry and wisdom – These books consist of narratives, hymns, songs, prayers, poems, and statements of wisdom containing personal truths and observations. These books are creative and honest expressions of worship, love, frustration, anger, joy, futility, desire, and wisdom.
18. Job - named for the principal character in the book. It is believed to be the oldest book in the Bible. Written perhaps 2000 years before Jesus was born. Job may have lived sometime after the Flood and before Abraham.
Theme: suffering and faith
Chapters 1-2: Prologue: Job’s happiness and Job’s testing
Chapters 3-27: Dialogue and Dispute: Job and his three friends
Chapter 28: Interlude on Wisdom
Chapters 29-41: Monologues: Job, Elihu, and God
Chapter 42: Epilogue: Repentance and Restoration
Key verse: Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book! That with an iron stylus and lead they were engraved in the rock forever! As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth. Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see God; whom I myself shall behold, and whom my eyes will see and not another. My heart faints within me! (Job 19:23-27)
19. Psalms – derived from the Greek word: Psalmoi, originally meaning “songs sung to a harp or stringed instrument.” Psalms is a collection of 150 songs and prayers sung by Jews in the Temple. Christians also sing psalms found in this book. It is the songbook of the Bible. The authors of Knowing the Bible 101 characterizes Psalms this way: “If the Bible is God’s message to humanity, then the Book of Psalms is humanity’s response to God” in both good times and bad. The Book of Psalms is similar to a diary. The many authors of the psalms express to God in very personal terms what they are feeling/experiencing at a particular moment in their lives - their joys, grief, fears, frustrations, gratitude, and ultimately, faith. They are also expressions of praise, repentance, and wisdom. Examples: Psalm 42, Psalm 51, Psalm 136. The psalms were written over many centuries by various authors. The majority of the psalms (over 70) were written by David. Other authors include Moses, Solomon, Asaph (a worship leader), and sons of Korah (group of singers and composers in the Temple). We do not know who the author is for about 50 psalms. The shortest (two verses – Psalm 117) and longest “chapters” (Psalm 119) in the Bible are found in Psalms.
Theme: Worship in all aspects of life
The Book of Psalms is divided into 5 sections mirroring the first 5 books of the Old Testament known as the Pentateuch.
Part 1 – Psalms 1-41
Part 2 – Psalms 42-72
Part 3 – Psalms 73-89
Part 4 – Psalms 90-106
Part 5 – Psalms 107-150
Key verse: My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever. (Psalm 145:21)
18. Job - named for the principal character in the book. It is believed to be the oldest book in the Bible. Written perhaps 2000 years before Jesus was born. Job may have lived sometime after the Flood and before Abraham.
Theme: suffering and faith
Chapters 1-2: Prologue: Job’s happiness and Job’s testing
Chapters 3-27: Dialogue and Dispute: Job and his three friends
Chapter 28: Interlude on Wisdom
Chapters 29-41: Monologues: Job, Elihu, and God
Chapter 42: Epilogue: Repentance and Restoration
Key verse: Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book! That with an iron stylus and lead they were engraved in the rock forever! As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth. Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see God; whom I myself shall behold, and whom my eyes will see and not another. My heart faints within me! (Job 19:23-27)
19. Psalms – derived from the Greek word: Psalmoi, originally meaning “songs sung to a harp or stringed instrument.” Psalms is a collection of 150 songs and prayers sung by Jews in the Temple. Christians also sing psalms found in this book. It is the songbook of the Bible. The authors of Knowing the Bible 101 characterizes Psalms this way: “If the Bible is God’s message to humanity, then the Book of Psalms is humanity’s response to God” in both good times and bad. The Book of Psalms is similar to a diary. The many authors of the psalms express to God in very personal terms what they are feeling/experiencing at a particular moment in their lives - their joys, grief, fears, frustrations, gratitude, and ultimately, faith. They are also expressions of praise, repentance, and wisdom. Examples: Psalm 42, Psalm 51, Psalm 136. The psalms were written over many centuries by various authors. The majority of the psalms (over 70) were written by David. Other authors include Moses, Solomon, Asaph (a worship leader), and sons of Korah (group of singers and composers in the Temple). We do not know who the author is for about 50 psalms. The shortest (two verses – Psalm 117) and longest “chapters” (Psalm 119) in the Bible are found in Psalms.
Theme: Worship in all aspects of life
The Book of Psalms is divided into 5 sections mirroring the first 5 books of the Old Testament known as the Pentateuch.
Part 1 – Psalms 1-41
Part 2 – Psalms 42-72
Part 3 – Psalms 73-89
Part 4 – Psalms 90-106
Part 5 – Psalms 107-150
Key verse: My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever. (Psalm 145:21)
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