Jonah: The Reluctant Prophet-2

I. Jonah’s Running: God’s Preparation - Chapter 1

A. The Word Of The LORD Came v1,2

“Now the word of the LORD came…”

As we open up the beginning part of this book, these first words aptly describe for you and I where this narrative begins.

- It begins with God.

Immediately we are reminded of the very first words of the Bible that state, “In the beginning God…” (Genesis 1:1)

God is intimately involved with you and I. In addition, He is intimately involved with the events of the entire world.

History itself is His. The fact that the word “Now” starts the narrative, links us to the rest of the written Word of God.

It assumes this connection with the rest of the events of the Old Testament.

“This was the standing formula with which historical events were linked on to one another, inasmuch as every occurrence follows another in chronological sequence.”

Pg. 389 Commentaries on the Old Testament Keil and Delitzsch

(I Samuel 1:1, Ruth 1:1)

We also would notice that in this simple phrase:

- God has blessed us and had blessed Jonah with His Word.

Imagine for a moment what life would be like without the Word of God.

Have you ever stopped to consider what your life would be like, had the Word of God not come?

To us that are saved, the Word of God is precious. Our entire lives are radically different because of this book that we hold in front of us.

We come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ because of His Word.

Can we prove that?

Well yes, Ephesians 2:8-9 tell us, “8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

So we see we are saved by grace through faith. We enter into eternal life through the doorway of faith. Well how is it I am to have faith, belief, trust?

Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Faith comes by hearing, but not just anything, the Word of God.

We come to know the person of Jesus Christ through the Word of God. Thank the Lord for the record God has given us. He is the express image of the invisible God. But not one of us was present on this earth when the Lord Jesus was born of the virgin Mary. Not one of us was alive during His earthly days as we term it. Not one of us was present physically at Jesus the perfect sinless God-man was led up to the hill of Golgotha. We did not see him nailed to a wooden cross, we did not see Him give up the ghost having declared “It is finished” We never would have had the explanation that He was praying the price of my sin had God not given to us the Bible.

From this then —

We come to understand our purpose based upon this Word.

The Bible gives to you and I the answer to the big question of life, which is why. Do you realize that we have a treasure to know our purpose. I was just informed of a gentlemen that worked on this very building by another dear Saint took His life. Why? Why would someone say I don’t with this, I am checking out to put an end to my own existence.

Because they cannot see a purpose for continuing to be. It appears to be a solution when in fact it is no solution at all.

Because of God’s Word we understand purpose and context of our lives. Its not in vain!

The Bible tells us in that blessed verse to Christians in the book of I Corinthians 15:58 “58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

We come to know God in His Word.

We are taught and guided by what is recorded for us in the Bible.

And so this phrase, “the word of the LORD came…” is very precious to us indeed.

But as we will see here shortly, God’s Word can also be a difficulty for you and I when we are living a life away from the Lord.

Jonah is about to come into conflict with God’s Word.

You and I are no different. We can very easily find ourselves in a place where we are in conflict with God’s Word.

We in are carnal nature will make excuse as to why we do not follow after the Lord.

We will give great valid reasons as to why we have deviated from His precious word.

But in the end His truth does not change and we are found in conflict with it.

This verse not only tells us first - that it all begins with God, secondly - that He has blessed Jonah and us with His Word, but see this thirdly:

- This verse also tells us of God’s faithfulness.

How precious it is, understanding the state of the nation of Israel, that God would use any to proclaim His Word!

Remember the assessment last week of the nation of Israel was not good. They were in a position of apostasy — that word means to depart from what one has professed and in this case we are referring to the Israelites profession and commitment to God.

Isaiah 29:13 “13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, And with their lips do honour me, But have removed their heart far from me, And their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:”

The Lord Jesus applied this to the people of His time on this earth as well quoting this very passage in Matthew 15:8 “8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.”

And as much as I wish it were not so we could quote that same verse today and say that many have removed their heart from following after God. Yet in the midst of these things, God chose and used a man out of that nation to speak on His behalf.

How precious it is that God would send a prophet to an erring and wicked Gentile nation?

We would say also, how precious that God would use any of us in His service, seeing we often transgress His Word?

Who did the word of the Lord come to?

1. Jonah of Gath-Hepher v1

The Bible tells us, it came to one named Jonah the son of Amittai.

“Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,”

We will make note here at the beginning a great deal about Jonah.

Jonah is like you and I.

He is flesh and blood (He has a body, a soul and a spirit). He is a man.

He has parents. He grew up in a particular home and had to deal with life in the time in which he lived.

Jonah did not have a choice as to the home he was born in. He did not choose which people group of the world he would be a part of. He did not have a choice as to the class in which he was raised, whether rich or poor, industrious or political.

Jonah was simply a man.

We could say this, “…We also are men of like passions…” (Paul and Barnabas: Acts 14:15) or as is commented by James concerning the prophet Elijah in James 5 speaking of his prayer “Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain:…” (James 5:17)

When we read the Scriptures and see people like Moses, Elijah, Peter or even Jonah we must realize that those spoken about are not some extra special men that were sub-human, but are rather men that were identified with God.

(Of course, we understand that these men were fit for the purpose that God had for they were prepared and gifted for the tasks that lie ahead.) They were unusual men in the sense of their disposition toward God.

Part of our responsibility is to seek the Lord’s face, to know the purpose God has for us.

These were men that yielded themselves to God’s will (Which is ironic as we read the present book, because we realize that Jonah penned this account for you and I after the events took place).

Concerning the validity of Jonah being the author is shown:

Its place in the Hebrew Canon of Scripture. (The Jews would not have allowed a book to presumed to be prophetic into the Canon had it not been held to written and accepted) “The history of his mission, Jonah doubtless himself wrote. Such has been the uniform tradition of the Jews, and on this principle alone was his book placed among the prophets. For no books were admitted among the prophets but those which the arranger of the canon believed (if this was the work of the great synagogue) or (if it was the work of Ezra) knew, to have been written by persons called to the prophetic office.” - Albert Barnes

The citing of the Lord Jesus Christ gives validity to the book — though not explicitly naming Jonah as author.

The writing prophets all by and large start with the same type introductory formula--- The word of the Lord came… (Hosea, Joel, Micah, Zephaniah…etc)

The inscription of the book itself being “The book of Jonah”

It is standard and nothing unusual for the prophets to speak of themselves in the third person.

They were men that wrought wonderful things, laboring together with God in spectacular ways (I Corinthians 3:9). But they were men none the less.

Let us not forget that it is God that is magnificent, it is God that is doing a marvelous work, it is God that allows us to participate in His great and awesome plan of redemption!

What specifically can we know about Jonah?

We see:

Jonahs Father’s name was Amittai (v1), which means ‘my truth’.

And as Matthew Henry commented,

“God’s prophets should be sons of truth.” - Matthew Henry

So it is with you and I, we are to be sons of truth. (John 14:6) John 14:6 asserts that it is Jesus Christ who is the truth.

When we become a child of God, we should be sons of truth, walking in His ways. "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” I Peter 1:23

It is sad to say, that Christians have a problem telling the truth.

We also note that Jonah’s name means ‘dove’.

It brings to mind the verse concerning the commission given to the disciples in Matthew chapter 10 that they should be harmless as doves and wise as serpents.

(“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:13)

It also brings to mind the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Remember the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus Christ in the form of a dove.

The Holy Spirit sounds out the Word of God in our current dispensation to the hearts of men, reproving the world of sin, or righteousness and of judgement. (John 16:8 “8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:” )

Prophets were to be men of truth. Though the prophetic office has ceased in our day, we should forth-tell the Word of God.

The first instance of the word ‘prophet’ is found in relation to Abraham. (Genesis 20:7)

(Though we would find in the book of Jude, Enoch is said to be a prophet. Jude 14). And even before that, we see Abel is named a prophet by the Lord Jesus Christ. (Luke 11:50-51)

All of this speaks to God’s love and mercy, that in all generations He has and will have someone proclaiming His wondrous Word.

Even if we were to fast forward in time to the book of Revelation, though the rebellion of man is at its height, God will still have His truth being proclaimed.144,000 (Revelation 7:1-8, 14:1-7) will proclaim the truth of the Gospel. Even unto the very end God uses two lonely witnesses to proclaim the truth (Revelation 11: 1-14).

We should note that the prophets were not self proclaimed, but were specifically called by God.

Why? Because they spoke on behalf of God to the people. (Deuteronomy 18:9-22)

Most of us think of the prophetic office as being limited to the ‘writing prophets’ (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel etc..). However, it seems, since the beginning God has had men that proclaimed His truth.

When we look at this in relation to Jonah’s name, we think of the twofold aspect given unto us of speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15)

We would also call to mind Jonah’s attitude did not represent well his name ‘dove.’ When we think of a dove, we think of gentleness, but Jonah certainly was not gentle towards all people-groups.

John Phillips refers to him as being more ‘hawk-like’ in his attitude towards this Gentile nation.

What about us? Does the name Christian fit us?

I am not certainly referring to the today’s worldly definition of the word Christian. But rather one who is distinctly a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Are we distinctly Christ followers? Are we distinctly His?

We may find ourselves in the way of Jonah not agreeing with our name.

We find out even more about Jonah from the Old Testament passage which is II Kings 14:25 “25 He restored the coast of Israel from the entering of Hamath unto the sea of the plain, according to the word of the Lord God of Israel, which he spake by the hand of his servant Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet, which was of Gath-hepher.”

Here it tells us that Jonah was from Gath-Hepher and that he was actively a prophet around the time of Jeroboam II.

If you were to look up that passage just two verses prior give us the situation and the setting and also the sovereign (which kings were reigning in Judah and also Israel (the northern kingdom).

King James Version Chapter 14

In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel began to reign in Samaria, and reigned forty and one years. 24 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. 25 He restored the coast of Israel from the entering of Hamath unto the sea of the plain, according to the word of the LORD God of Israel, which he spake by the hand of his servant Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet, which was of Gath-hepher.

Where exactly is Gath-Hepher?

It is a place identified with the tribe of Zebulun (Joshua 19:13), “about three miles northeast of Nazareth, separated by a wady (see below definition) from the traditional Cana of Galilee.”

Wady - A ravine through which a brook flows; the channel of a watercourse, which is dry except in the rainy season. (Oxford Dictionary)

It is from this knowledge that we correct the inaccurate criticism of the Pharisees in response to Nicodemus’ attempt to vindicate Jesus Christ. “They [the Pharisees] answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.” (John 7:52) Thus we see Jonah again indelibly linked with Jesus Christ.

When Jonah was called to be a prophet, no one knows. But we can say for certain, that the prophecy contained in II Kings 14:25 dates Jonah’s ministry very early, being contemporary with other early writing prophets such as Amos and Hosea. (See Prophets Handout)

Now knowing a little about the prophet we move on and see next:

2. The LORD’s instructions and explanation v2

The instructions and explanation are given to us here in verse 2. It states, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.” (v2)

We see both the Lord’s instructions and an explanation.

What is marvelous about this particular verse is that the instructions are given an explanation! It would be enough for God to just give us the instructions, but again His compassion is seen in this statement of explanation.

From these instructions we are told about God’s character. His holiness is in view marked by His hatred for sin (Habbakuk 1:13).

When Habbakuk was having His dialogue with God back and forth, Habbakuk addressing God had this to say in Habbakuk 1:13, “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?”

Look back in our text at that verse and notice the word ‘for’:

“Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.”

The connecting word ‘for’ brings us to the explanation answering the question of why Jonah is being sent.

In other words, for what reason are you sending me.

“Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.”

“…their wickedness….” is the simple explanation that we can understand from the introduction concerning the Assyrians manner of life.

But we must not just stop at the warlike atrocities that we spoke about in the introduction and dive a little deeper into the abyss. Here we will see what is much more heinous and repugnant. This is discovered in the word ‘wickedness.’

The underlying word translated as ‘wickedness’ here is first used in the book of Genesis and is found in connection with the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The tree itself was not the issue, but rather man’s transgression of God’s law.

In our text we see the word ‘wickedness’ describes that which is contrary to God and His ways.

As described in Nahum chapter 3, the people of Nineveh, the Assyrians relapsed into this great wickedness before their destruction. Their transgressions against God and contrary to His person were great. So much so that the Bible language tells us here in verse 2 that they had “…come up before…” God.

Albert Barnes described it this way, “God represents Himself, the Great Judge, as sitting on His Throne in heaven, Unseen but All-seeing, to whom the wickedness and oppressiveness of man against man “goes up,” appealing for His sentence against the oppressor.”

The example though only remotely telling that I would submit to you is imagine entering in the store and as often as we see in our day a security officer there. And there right in the sight of the security officer is a man stealing the goods of the store. It appeals the office to stop the thief. It appeals for the store owner who reviews the camera footage to press charges. Now that is but a a vague earthly example. We are talking about man’s wickedness and transgressions mounting up so high that God that they cry out to God for justice.

When we imagine God as being one-sided we do not comprehend Him truly. God is not just a God of judgement, but He is also perfect in love. But He is not just perfect in love, He also is the Just Judge. (Romans 3:26)

The book of Jonah and Nahum picture for us perfectly God’s mercy and grace, but also His judgement.

We can understand that this command given to Jonah is dealing with a nation, but nations are comprised of individual people. The call to Jonah was certainly explained by God because their wickedness demanded action. The Ninevites were on a collision course with judgement.

This reminds us that God will not allow sin to go unabated indefinitely and that judgement may appear to happen suddenly (due to the blindness of the sinner).

I Thessalonians 5:1-3 describes the sudden judgement after God’s gracious revelation of the truth for such a long period of time. “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.”

Because God loves us so much He sends the preacher…because God loves us so much He sends the Christian.... Because God loves us so much he continues to warn against the judgement to come (II Timothy 4:2, Ephesians 5:11). And as we saw in the previous verse He has given us His Word which also warns of the judgement to come.

We should not compare this to the empty threats that are sometimes echoed by parents of judgement for the wrong actions of their children, but understand that had Nineveh not repented within the time period that Jonah preached they surely would have been destroyed.