T he only good news that we ought to know and remember is that Jesus Christ had already won the war against sin and death. He has made it possible for us to join Him in the afterlife. All we need now to do is accept Him as He is. God is alive today and it may be sometimes be difficult to see this. The world and its demonic nature has still made it look like that only worldly things matter and that the ultimate goal of each one is to achieve their own personal happiness. This is the biggest lie of all, that we should do all to make us happy. Individual happiness at the expense of someone else is the biggest deception of all. The truth is, our lives are never really about us. It is ultimately about God and about others. It is about how you can provide and give joy even at our own expense. This is the model of ultimate and genuine love that Jesus shown us at the cross. "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s frie...
The Book of Jonah is a captivating prophetic book in the Old Testament, unique among the prophetic books for its narrative focus rather than a collection of prophetic oracles. It tells the story of the prophet Jonah, son of Amittai, and his reluctant mission to the great Assyrian city of Nineveh.
Summary:
The book begins with God commanding Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach against its wickedness. However, Jonah, fearing and perhaps resenting the Assyrians (who were enemies of Israel), decides to flee from the Lord's presence by boarding a ship bound for Tarshish.
During the voyage, a violent storm erupts, threatening to sink the ship. The sailors, realizing the storm is supernatural, cast lots to discover who is responsible, and the lot falls on Jonah. Jonah confesses his disobedience to God and instructs them to throw him overboard to calm the sea. Reluctantly, they do, and the sea immediately becomes still.
God then appoints a "great fish" to swallow Jonah, and Jonah remains in its belly for three days and three nights. From inside the fish, Jonah prays to the Lord, expressing his repentance and trust in God's salvation.
"Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, saying, 'I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice.'" (Jonah 2:1-2 ESV)
"But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!" (Jonah 2:9 ESV)
After Jonah's prayer, the Lord commands the fish to vomit Jonah out onto dry land. God then reiterates His command for Jonah to go to Nineveh. This time, Jonah obeys. He enters the city and proclaims: "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" (Jonah 3:4 ESV).
To Jonah's surprise, the people of Nineveh, from the king down to the common citizens, believe God's warning. They declare a fast, put on sackcloth, and cry out earnestly to God for mercy.
"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 3:10 ESV)
This outcome deeply displeases Jonah. He becomes angry that God has shown compassion to the Ninevites, wishing instead for their destruction. He goes out of the city and sits under a shelter, waiting to see what will happen. God then causes a plant to grow over Jonah, providing him shade and relief, which makes Jonah very happy.
However, the next day, God appoints a worm to attack the plant, causing it to wither. With the scorching sun and a hot east wind beating down on him, Jonah again wishes for death.
God confronts Jonah about his anger, specifically about his concern for the plant which he did not tend, compared to God's concern for the vast population of Nineveh, including many people who "do not know their right hand from their left" and much livestock.
"And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?" (Jonah 4:11 ESV)
The book ends with this question, leaving the reader to ponder God's boundless mercy and Jonah's narrow-mindedness.
Historical Facts about how the Book Came to Be:
Authorship and Date: The book is traditionally attributed to the prophet Jonah himself, though some scholars suggest a later author who compiled the story. The events described likely took place during the reign of Jeroboam II (793–753 BC), as mentioned in 2 Kings 14:25, which states that Jonah prophesied during this time concerning the restoration of Israel's borders. However, the book's literary style and theological themes suggest it might have been written down or compiled sometime after the Babylonian exile (6th-5th century BC), perhaps as a reflection on Israel's role among the nations and God's universal sovereignty.
Genre: Unlike most prophetic books, Jonah is a historical narrative with strong didactic (teaching) elements, often classified as a parable or allegorical tale due to some of its miraculous elements (the great fish, the rapidly growing plant). However, Jewish and Christian traditions generally accept it as a historical account.
Nineveh and Assyria: Nineveh was indeed the capital of the powerful Assyrian Empire, a major enemy of Israel. The Assyrians were known for their brutality and military might. God's command for Jonah to preach to such a formidable and hostile nation highlights His universal concern, extending even to the enemies of His chosen people. The city of Nineveh was ultimately destroyed in 612 BC, as prophesied by Nahum and Zephaniah.
Theological Significance: The Book of Jonah serves as a profound lesson on several theological themes:
God's Universal Sovereignty and Mercy: It demonstrates that God's authority and compassion extend to all nations, not just Israel. He desires the repentance and salvation of all people.
The Nature of Prophecy: It shows that prophecy is often conditional, meaning God's judgment can be averted by repentance.
Obedience and Disobedience: Jonah's journey illustrates the consequences of disobedience and the ultimate necessity of yielding to God's will.
Prejudice and Compassion: It challenges the narrow ethnocentric views that might have been prevalent among some Israelites, emphasizing God's boundless love for all humanity.
A "Sign" for Later Generations: Jesus himself referred to the "sign of Jonah" (Matthew 12:39-41, Luke 11:29-32), equating his three days and three nights in the tomb with Jonah's time in the fish's belly, giving the story immense Christological significance.