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Day 14 : Book of Jonah [ Jonah 1-2 ] |
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Introduction
- Jonah means “dove”. Although he was a prophet in the northern kingdom
of Israel, his divine mission was to preach against Assyria’s capital city,
Nineveh.
- His message was very simple “forty more days and Nineveh will be
overturned” (3:4).
- Jesus quotes this minor prophet in Mt.12:38-41, Mt.16:4.
- This book is also unique in its miraculous events, the most notable of
which is Jonah being swallowed by a large fish. These miraculous
elements have caused liberal scholars to allegorize the contents of this
book. However, the account is obviously intended to be literal and Jesus
certainly took it to be historical.
Running Away From God (Jonah 1:1-17)
- God commands Jonah to go and preach (v.1-2).
- Jonah decides to disobey and runs in opposite direction (v.3-4).
- The ride away from God wasn’t that enjoyable. He faces a storm.
- More than the courage of the prophet the issue was the prejudice towards
non-Jews.
In which ways are you running away from God? Are you facing any storm in your life now? Is it because you are
running away from God? Disobedience is quite costly. We have to pay our fare to against God! It is easier to run
towards God than to run away from Him.
Running Towards God (Jonah 2:1-10)
- The prophet begins to get in touch with his disobedience.
- The swallow by a big fish (probably a whale) is a miracle.
- Jonah prays to God from the belly of the fish. We can pray to God from any
place. In his prayer he doesn’t blame the sailors for reaching this point, but
recognizes that God is behind the whole episode (v.3).
- He humbles himself and repents.
Are we in touch with our disobedience? Do we blame people for whatever bad things happening? Do we understand
that God is behind everything? Are we honest in our prayers?
Application :
What are few expectations from Scriptures you feel challenged to obey?
Luke 9:23-25
If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.For whoever wants
to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.What good is it for a man to gain the whole
world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?
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