"JONAH STUDY"-WEEK TWO

JONAH 1:7-8 “And they said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. Then they said to him, “Tell us on whose account this evil has come upon us. What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?””

>>>(v.7) The sailors cast lots to determine who is responsible for the storm.

*REMEMBER: This was not a normal storm.

>>>The lots fell on Jonah-called him out

>>>(v.8) The sailors confront Jonah on his occupation, where he came from, where he belongs, and of what people he belongs to.

*Questions of identity-Jonah will have to answer for who he is.

JONAH 1:9-10 “And he said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” Then the men were exceedingly afraid and said to him, “What is this that you have done!” For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them.”

>>>(v.9) This is the first verse where Jonah speaks.

>>>He acknowledges that he is a Hebrew who worships God.

*Says that his God is Who controls everything, including the storm on the sea.

*Irony is he is not in a place in his heart of worshiping God.

>>>Jonah says that he is of the people of God but does not admit to being a prophet (the answer to what occupation he had).

>>>(v.10) The sailors were afraid and could not believe what Jonah had done.

*This reaction was a response to Jonah telling them he was fleeing God’s presence.

*Jonah does not seem to tell them ultimate reason he was fleeing (disobeying).

*Ultimate reason: Jonah is a prophet of God, called/commanded by God, but is disobeying God. He stops just at being a Hebrew.

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JONAH 1:11-13 “Then they said to him, “What shall we do to you, that the sea may quiet down for us?” For the sea grew more and more tempestuous. He said to them, “Pick me up and hurl me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you, for I know it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you.” Nevertheless, the men rowed hard (dug in their oars) to get back to dry land, but they could not, for the sea grew more and more tempestuous against them (storm got worse-God not letting the boat move).”

>>>(v.11) The sailors asked what they could do to Jonah to stop the storm.

>>>(v.12) Jonah’s response was for them to throw him overboard.

*Where does he get this idea?

*Three things wrong w/his response-1.) Accepts responsibility for storm but still does not admit sin. 2.) Still does not call on God. 3.) He is aware that this is ultimately between him and God though still resisting him.

*Jonah would rather potentially face death than surrender to God.

>>>The judgment of God was not going away until Jonah was dealt with.

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JONAH 1:14-16 “Therefore they called out to the Lord, “O Lord, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not on us innocent blood, for you, O Lord, have done as it pleased you.” So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows.”

>>>The story now looks to the sailors as main characters.

>>>The sailors call God “Yahweh”

*5x “Yahweh” is used in reference to the sailors’ relationship w/Him (out of fear, reverence, and worship)

>>>(v.14) The phrase “called out” is the same phrase that has been used this whole chapter.

*At this point, they pray/call to God more than Jonah.

>>>(v.14) Content of their prayer

*Realize God as One True God

*Understood God’s ability to show mercy

*Recognized God’s sovereignty in fulfilling His will.

>>>(v.16) The sailors now greatly “feared” the LORD

*“Feared” means “revere” or “worship”

>>>The sailors offered up sacrifices to God and made vows to Him.

*The vows were pledges to behave according to the standards of the deity-could have been promise to worship Yahweh.

THE LORD CAN STILL REACH THROUGH RESISTANCE.

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JONAH 1:17 “And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.”

>>>The LORD sent a great fish to swallow Jonah.

*The word “appointed” means “sent with a purpose”

*The purpose of the fish was God’s continual pursuing of Jonah.