Observations on the book of jonah chapter 1-4

This article generally follows the common numbering in christian english bible versions, with notes to the numbering in hebrew bible versions. Having called upon their gods for help, the sailors did what they could to help themselves. Fifth in the canonical order of the minor prophets. But it displeased jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. Gods ministry to jonah chapter 4 the bible exposition commentary, cook communications, colorado springs, 2002, p. Have you ever found yourself wanting to turn and run away rather. Notice jonahs hard heart even while preaching to nineveh.

Literary analysis of jonah chiasmus in jonah has been noted by numerous biblical scholars. Questions for discussion jonah the living word library. Jonah 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. However, to my knowledge this is the first attempt to present an overall literary analysis of the book as a whole. Key personalities include jonah, the captain and the ships crew and the people of nineveh. The prophet went as far west in the opposite direction as possible, showing his. Study the bible online using commentary on jonah 1 and more.

Jonah 1 nasb jonahs disobedience the word of bible. In rebellion and fear, jonah instead sought to run away from god and boarded a boat heading for tarshish. Jonah with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Of course, the fact that jonah is trying to flee from this god of all creation makes him look even more comically stupid.

The book of jonah demonstrates the sovereignty of the almighty as he employs his creation to accomplish the divine plan. Jonah 1 matthew henrys commentary on the whole bible. Obadiah 1 micah 1 jonah 14 king james version kjv 1 now the word of the lord came unto jonah the son of amittai, saying, 2 arise, go to nineveh, that great city, and cry against it. Home bible studies the book of jonah questions for discussion jonah.

The book of jonah is narrative history and a prophetic oracle. While jonah eventually did what he was asked to do, the book closes with showing jonah as a bitter man. Studies in the minor prophets jonah messenger to nineveh 1. Whatever the reasons for jonahs anger, he was wrong in it. We hear from jonah himself that god is merciful and compassionate, slow to become angry, and rich in faithful love. The whole of jonah 4 is an account of jonahs displeasure. It differs from them in that while they for the most part contain prophetic discourses, with a minimum of narrative material, the book of jonah is mainly occupied with a narrative, and the prophetic message in it is almost incidental. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. And it may be observed of the wise and wonderful providence of god. The book of jonah is divided into four chapters in the english translations.

Jonah 2 is packed almost completely with a prayer connected to jonahs experiences while waiting in the belly of the great fish that had swallowed him. During the time of the minor prophets, the nation of israel had divided into two separate countries, each with its own government. This was strange, because usually the preacher is pleased when the congregation repents, but jonah wasnt. The book of jonah, chapter 1 offers free online access to study passages and verses contained in the holy scriptures of the douay rheims version of the catholic bible. An exposition, with practical observations, of the book of jonah. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate go. Because of his disobedience, god sent a storm so great that it caused even seasoned sailors to be afraid, but jonah was asleep, and unaware of the storm. The prophet isaiah owns that therefore he was not rebellious, neither turned away back. This chapter recounts the divine commission which came to jonah, instructing him to prophesy against the city of nineveh because of their great wickedness, the prophets rebellious disobedience in trying to avoid the assignment by fleeing in the opposite direction, the judgment of god against him in the great storm that threatened the wreck of his ship, the prophets guilt exposed. The book of hosea consists of fourteen chapters, which was the record for a minor prophet until zechariah tied it a couple centuries later. Jonah was an unwilling prophet given an assignment which he found displeasing. Please read our guideline on how to lead a bible study before starting. First is gods grace shown to his prophet, jonah, by extending him a second chance after his flagrant rebellion in chapter 1.

The rest of the first chapter paints a grim picture of repression and persecution such as will probably be surpassed only by the reign of the antichrist. Jonah 1 is the first chapter of the book of jonah in the hebrew bible or the old testament of the. In chapter 4, jonah is forced to look at himself and it is not a pretty picture. Jonah 1 new american standard bible nasb jonahs disobedience. The title of the book is the name of the main character, jonah. So he went down to joppa, found a ship which was going to tarshish, paid the fare and. Notice the sharp contrast between the two main characters the prophet. It is the 5th book of the minor prophets and the 10 th book of all 17 prophetic books. Sometimes god will ask you to stay at or go to the place, job. Jonah 1 inductive bible study with questions for small groups. This book of jonah, though it be placed here in the midst of the prophetical books of scripture, is yet rather a history than a prophecy. Dltks bible stories for children jonah chapters 14 jonah king james version. Record your observations in the margin as you read the passage. Jonah 14 new king james version nkjv jonah s disobedience 1 now the word of the lord came to jonah the son of amittai, saying, 2 arise, go to nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it.

Through some supernatural events, god convinced him to obey and carry out the lords plan. This short book of jonah easily falls into four sections. Jonah 4 niv bible but to jonah this seemed very wrong. Having called upon their gods for help, the sailors did. The book is anonymous, and there are no indicators elsewhere in scripture to identify the author. The book of jonah begins when the word of the lord came to jonah, the son of amittai. Unfortunately, gods grace and mercy is set against jonah himself, who is a walking illustration of judgment and unforgiveness. He chose to flee away from god rather than obey him. Offering lessons that can be glean from each section with the first chapter then, we soon find jonah.

Summarygod told jonah to go to ninevah and warn them of gods wrath, due to their wickedness. T he book of jonah is an old testament story which tells about how the prophet jonah refused to follow the lord. But to jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. An exposition, with practical observations, of the book of jonah chapter 1. The following structure is based on a careful analysis of the content of jonah in the hebrew text. Read through this weeks verses using both your observation worksheet the last. Verses 14 verses 511 this book of jonah, though it be placed here in the midst of the prophetical books of scripture, is yet rather a history than a prophecy. He prayed to the lord, isnt this what i said, lord, when i was still at home.

In just a few short chapters, the book of jonah demonstrates gods. Reading through the text you notice things, for example that a word is repeated. Israel, the northern country consisting of ten tribes, and judah, the remaining two tribes in the south. The book of jonah is more than just a delightful story for children. Modern scholars are divided as to whether jonah composed the prayer during his time in the fish or recorded it later the text does not make it clear, and its not important to make a distinction.

Chapter two gives the account of the birth of moses, his miraculous escape both at birth and as an adult. Date since jonah prophesied during the reign of jeroboam ii 782753. Sin brings storms and tempests into the soul, into the family, into churches and nations. The ecological reading on the book of jonah invites us to the pilgrimage. Observation is not determining what the text means but simply looking for the facts without interpreting them.

Discussions on the old testament the book of jonah. Jonah is the 29 th book of the bible, but chronologically, it comes before many of the earlier books in the christian canon. The mariners observed so much peculiar and uncommon either in the storm itself or in. Judson mather wrote, life for jonah is a series of disconcerting surprises and frustrations. Jonah had made a serious mistake and suffered serious consequences. Jehovah looked down upon nineveh and observed the wickedness of these people jon. All that is necessary to observe is that our lord understood the account of the book of jonah to be literal matt. The foundational source for the book was likely jonahs own telling of the story after his return from nineveh. That is what i tried to forestall by fleeing to tarshish. Jonah 4 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on.

It is a well known story for obvious reasons, not least of which are a disobedient prophet, an obedient fish and a wicked nation that starts out bad, yet ends up good. As with chapter 3, grace is a major theme in the book of jonah s final chapter. All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. David guzik commentary on jonah 1, where jonah receives a call from god, but decides to run from. The chapter divisions mark the natural divisions of the book. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. Jonah 4, new international version niv the bible app. The miracles partially look like coincidents but the hand of god is behind them all. If jonah wasnt included in the bible, we would have a much narrower view of gods intent for gentiles. Regarding the speculation mentioned in the previous chapter concerning the funeral for jonah in israel, see under jonah, the great old testament type, at the end of this chapter. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, lord, have done as you pleased. Jonah 14 niv jonah flees from the lord the word of bible. The pursuit and arrest of him for that disobedience by a storm, in which he was asleep.