Untitled Sermon (2)

, ; Exegetical Study

English Standard Version Chapter 3

Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth. 4 Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” 5 And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.

The People of Nineveh Repent

6 The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, 8 but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.”

10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.

Jonah’s Anger and the LORD’s Compassion

4 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. 2 And he prayed to the LORD and said,

First Reading of the Text

Time Period 786–746 BC

Chapter 3 of the Book of Jonah begins with, “Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles. This text does not tell us specifically the message that that Jonah would delivery to the city of Nineveh, therefore it would be beneficial to see what the text says the first time “the word of the Lord came to Jonah.”

Jonah is commanded to go to Nineveh. I find myself left with the question of “What is significant about Nineveh?” Nineveh is referred to as ‘that great city.’ What is the city life of Nineveh? What is the religious life of Nineveh. But what is the historical context of Nineveh that sets it apart from other cities during this time. The message comes later in vs. 4 that Nineveh would be overthrown after 40 days.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

The time/distance of travel is challenging.

“Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth.” ESV

“Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three-day journey in extent.” NKJV

“Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days’ walk across.” NRSV

But it also says, Jonah began to go into the city going a days journey? Is three days journey a measurement of Nineveh’s great size or is it how long it took to get there?

Jonah preached law in a way, but the people of Nineveh believed God and repented.

Two practices I would like to learn more about - Nehemiah 9

fasting

Sackcloth

word for God - Elohim

Chapter 5 ESV includes a period, where the other translations make it more of a run on idea.

“Turned from evil” an imagery of repentance. Grace is not a far off concept even in the old testament

ἀπέστρεψαν ἀποστρέφω turn back; turn away; turn; bring back they turned away (Perhaps more of apostatize from evil as oppose to repenting of sins.

μετενόησεν, μετανοέω change one’s mind; repent reconsidered - God reconsidering what he would do to the people of Nineveh.

Tan, R. K., deSilva, D. A., & Hoogendyk, I. (2012). The Lexham Greek-English Interlinear Septuagint: H.B. Swete Edition (). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

Jonah is angry. Why? God was successful in this mission, is this was Jonah was actually running from.

Typology -

“ὅτι μετενόησαν εἰς τὸ κήρυγμα Ἰωνᾶ” Holmes, M. W. (2011–2013). The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition (). Lexham Press; Society of Biblical Literature.

Holmes, M. W. (2011–2013). The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition (). Lexham Press; Society of Biblical Literature.

Holmes, M. W. (2011–2013). The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition (). Lexham Press; Society of Biblical Literature.