Jonah - A Insight of God's Compassion

Yahweh comes, Jonah Flees

Introduction

Welcome

Prayer

Why Jonah?

Background to Jonah

Authorship - Jonah (Dove). Jonah was from Gath Hepher (meaning “winepress of the pit”), a town in lower Galilee near Nazareth (2 Kgs 14:25). The town has been identified with the modern village of el-Meshhed, where the tomb of Jonah is still shown. Gath Hepher was within the tribal territory given to Zebulun (see Josh 19:10, 13), so it is likely Jonah belonged to that tribe. Jonah ministered during the reign of Jeroboam II of Israel (793–753 BC; 2 Kgs 14:23–25).

Read Jonah 1:1-3.

Yahweh Comes.

2 characters > 1. Yahweh (EX 3:14-15) > Special Revelation (Canon is CLOSED!!! 1 Cor 13:10, Gal 1:8).

David Miller - “I don’t know about you, but my problem in sanctification is not needing more revelation. My problem is obeying the revelation I already have.”

God’s Word gives life (Gen 1:3-4, John 5:24, 8:51). and keeps us (Rev 14:12).

Word = “A prophetic word The prophets claimed to deliver the “word of God” (Jer. 1:9). For this purpose they were commissioned (Isa. 6:8). This word of God addressed human beings and demanded a response. Thus God’s word may be visualized as a great salvation (Isa. 2:2–5) or a great judgment (Jer. 26:4–6).”

It is Yahweh who initiates the call (not just for prophets, but salvation).

Why and Who did Yahweh come? “Nineveh, the great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before Me.”

Great in size (600,000 ppl) Not “a” but “The” > Gen 10:8-9. Assyrian Capital.

What was their evil? Nahum 3:1–7“Woe to the city of bloodshed, completely full of deception and pillage; Her prey never departs. The sound of the whip, And the sound of the rumbling of the wheel, Galloping horses, And bounding chariots! Horsemen charging, And swords flaming, and spears flashing, Many slain, a mass of corpses, And there is no end to dead bodies— They stumble over the dead bodies! All because of the many harlotries of the harlot, The charming one, the mistress of sorceries, Who sells nations by her harlotries And families by her sorceries. “Behold, I am against you,” declares Yahweh of hosts; “And I will uncover your skirts over your face And show to the nations your nakedness And to the kingdoms your disgrace. “I will throw detestable filth on you And display you as a wicked fool And set you up as a spectacle. “And it will be that all who see you Will flee from you and say, ‘Nineveh is devastated! Who will console her?’ Where will I seek comforters for you?” Violence, Idolatry, and Immorality

MacArthur “By sending Jonah to this Gentile capital, The Lord demonstrated His compassionate commitment to the nations (Gen 12:1-3).”

2. Jonah Flees

2nd character > Jonah. Story & Bible = God’s plan to redeem all of mankind!

God was active (Come, Arise, Go, Call), but Jonah was disobedient, he fled. why? (Prov 28:1). Guilty conscience, Petty, Fear?

Presence = Face.

Tried to run, but forgot God is omnipresent (All Present = Ps 139:7-9).

To disobey God is SIN! > 1. Confession of Faith

2. Privileges

3. Reason

Ending

Ever find yourself like Jonah?

Prayer

Next time - A perfect storm from a perfect God (4-10).