Jonah-outline (May 18, 2025)

Intro:

one of the more famous stories in the old testament. i mean, how often do you hear of a fish swallowing a human and then being spit out after three days and three nights!

people may scoff, doubt, but i believe this is a true story-after all we believe in a God who rose Jesus from the dead! if he can do that, why could he not do this miracle?

juxtaposed with Obadiah-quote from Schreiner

backstory: Jonah-a prophet living in the 8th century-700BC. prior to the fall of the Northern Kingdom Israel. have you memorized all these dates yet? Israel herself was continuing to walk in unfaithfulness

An angry Prophet (vs 1:1-4, 2:1-4, 4:1-3)

Jonah=not the hero of the story

God and Jonah agreed-Nineveh is wicked. they disagreed on whether or not they should hear about mercy

Nineveh-major ancient city (picture Toronto, New York)

quote-jew in nazi germany

Jonah/Israel: spiritual pride (why shouldn’t the nations experience the same mercy they have?)

the story of Jonah is a relatable one but a sad one

2. A wicked yet penitent city (1:1-2, 3:4-9)

this major city-was wicked (no getting around it).

Jonah preached-and a revival happened. from the least to the greatest, if we are picturing Toronto as a stand in for Nineveh, then we could say from those living on the streets to those living on the Bridle Path to the mayor-everyone repented! this would have been simply incredible to witness

3. A compassionate God (vs 1:1-2, 3:10, 4:11)

God is the initiator for both Jonah and Nineveh

wrath=strange work of God-gentle and lowly

God=merciful to Jonah/Israel AND the wicked Assyrians