Bible Pathways - Sept. 24, 2006

Jonah 1

In Today's Scripture Reading:

Jonah's effort to avoid God's will; His second commission; Nineveh repents; Jonah's displeasure

The Lord commanded Jonah: Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry (preach) against it; for their wickedness is come up before Me. But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD (Jonah 1:2-3). Jonah was probably delighted with the good news that the judgment of God would soon fall upon Nineveh. He could not believe that the mercy and love of God would extend even to Israel's enemies. So, he decided not to be a missionary to Nineveh. He must have felt fortunate when, on the very day he arrived in Joppa, he discovered a ship sailing to Tarshish, the most remote of the Phoenician trading places, and in the opposite direction from Nineveh.

For a while, events seemed to favor Jonah's vacation plan and gave him such peace of mind that he was soon fast asleep on the ship (1:5). However, favorable circumstances when avoiding the will of God are only temporary and they never lead to a pleasant end. The sailors became fearful when a great storm arose. Then, hearing that Jonah was fleeing from God, in an effort to appease Him, Jonah was thrown overboard, only to be swallowed by a big fish. After three days of soul searching, a repentant Jonah was vomited onto dry land by the great fish. He then became the greatest evangelist of his day, and saw the entire city of Nineveh repent of its wickedness. God could have chosen another prophet and let Jonah sink to the bottom of the sea, but God was merciful, demonstrating His love toward both the prophet and the repentant people in Nineveh. The willingness of God to forgive even the greatest of sinners who repent was made known when Nineveh's king and his people repented and were spared from the destruction prophesied by Jonah.

Jesus confirmed the historic truth concerning Jonah when He proclaimed: As Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's (great fish's) belly; so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and, behold, a greater than Jonah is here (Matthew 12:40-41).

Christ Revealed:

By Jonah's experience in the great fish (Jonah 1:7 — 2:10). Jesus used this historical event as an illustration to tell of His death, burial, and resurrection when the Pharisees demanded a sign from Him to prove who He was (Matthew 12:39-41; also I Corinthians 15:4).

Word Study:

2:8 observe lying vanities =b> pay heed to false worship.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for The English International Shortwave Radio Broadcast in memory of Iva Ann McElroy; and The Spanish Shortwave Radio Broadcast in honor of Pearl M. Schulte · Country: Malta (381,000) about 60 miles south of Sicily Major languages: Maltese and English Religious freedom 97% Roman Catholic; 2% Protestant Prayer Suggestion: Pray and then obediently do what God says (I Chronicles 14:14-16).

Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 103:13