JONAH

Write one paragraph explaining the historical background and purpose of the prophet
Jonah was written in approx 760 BC, by Jonah himself.

Jonah was told by God to go to Nineveh and tell the people there that the city would be destroyed if they did not stop with all malice, and turned to God. Jonah is described as a selfish and grumpy man. He did not listen to God, but stuck on a ship westwards.
When the ship came out on open sea, there was a violent storm that Jonah was blamed for. He was thrown into the ocean, and God calmed the storm. Jonah was swallowed by a big fish. After three days, the fish spit him up on shore.

After this Jonah went to Nineveh. Jonah was surprised when the city turned to God, he was a little irritated that the destruction did not happen.

What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

This is good described in 4:2:
-              God is merciful – He did not punish the people in Nineveh because of
         their repentance.

-              God is compassionate.     

-              Slow to get angry

-              He is filled with unfailing love

God is also sovereign over life and death. He first let a leafy plant grow up and give shadow for Jonah, but the day after He let the plant die (4:4-7).

 

What does this book show about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

Jonah was called to a nation outside Israel, and therefore He actually is the first missionary to the Gentiles. Jesus command us to go out to the whole world with the Gospel (Mark 16:15). In Eph.3:6 we are told that also the Gentiles are inherited by God’s children.

The name “Jonah” means dove, and when Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit appeared as a dove. When Jonah talked to the pagan town Nineveh – they repent as a result of the Holy Spirit’s work. In Act 1:8 Jesus tells the apostles to wait in Jerusalem until they are baptized with the Holy Spirit. And then they shall be His witnesses “everywhere ….to the ends of the earth”.

Jonah’s experience in the fish is also similar to Jesus and his Act of Salvation with 3 days in the grave (Mat 12:40). As Jonah – after he had been in the deep - was a witness to the Gentiles in Nineveh, was also Jesus - after his resurrection - a tool for all peoples salvation through His disciples and witnesses.

The book of Jonah is also called the Old Testaments counterpart of John 3:16.

Personal Application:

When reading the book of Jonah I was again reminded about the importance of obedience when God gives a call/mission. If Jonah not had been speaking to Nineveh, all the 120.000 people in this town probably have died. In the same way it is important for me to listen carefully to Gods voice when He says something I shall do, because the consequences can be very dangerous if I disobey.
 

Point of passion:

My point of passion during my DBS is the Shan-people in Thailand:

Reading the book of Jonah tells about God’s love – not only for the Israelites, but  also the Gentiles.

This means that He also cares for and loves the Shan-people and He calls this people to repent and accept Jesus as their savior.