New Mission To The Community
Jonah 1:1-3; 3:1-9
March 7, 2010
Jonah 1:1-3
V1 Jonah was well-acquainted w/the Word of the Lord and knew His voice from that of a stranger, and so v1, Then God commands Jonah v2, and this is an honor that God gives to Jonah, to go and prophesy against Nineveh. The Book of Jonah does not say much about Nineveh’s wickedness, but Nahum says that Nineveh was guilty of evil plots against God Nahum 1:9, abusing the helpless 2:12, idolatry and prostitution and witchcraft 3:4. Jonah was to warn Nineveh of God’s judgment, and inform them of Gods forgiveness and mercy, if they repented. Nineveh was a great powerful city and yet ungodly, they were w/o knowledge and worship of the True God. V2b They sinned boldly in God’s sight, as if to shake their finger in the sight of God. There Jonah was to cry loudly and spare not the truth. V3a Some thought that the spirit of prophecy was confined to the land of Israel, but no one can escape Gods omnipresence Ps.139:7-12. Jonah grew up hating the Assyrians, and did not want them to receive Gods mercy. He was afraid they would repent, Jonah 4:2-3. V3b He finds a ship and things seem to be going his way, giving him an opportunity to escape, as if God favored his disobedience. However we shall see that when it seems to be going our way, it is not always the best way. Notice v3, Jonah continues to go down, which is what happens to man when God leaves us to ourselves. Jonah 3:1-2 , Jonah here is given a second chance, by God’s Grace, and the question is, did he learn anything from his strange punishment and deliverance, will he follow God’s will or his own. This is a question we must ask ourselves. Consider what Christ did Matt.26:39. When God afflicts us by His grace to correct us, and then delivers us, we must see to it that we don’t receive His grace in vain, and make right, that which is wrong.
Jonah 1:1-3
Note: Although God was gracious in delivering Jonah, God could have chosen not to give Jonah a 2nd opportunity to be used by God, which is a privilege and honor all believers, should treasure. V2 Nineveh is the chief city of the Gentile world, and God sending Jonah to Nineveh is an indication of the Grace God would eventually offer to all Gentiles. The message Jonah would preach, God would provide at the appropriate time. This may have been a test of obedience, would he, not know what God would have him say. V3 W/O complaining v3a and b, v3a is also an example of the nature of repentance, to turn from disobedience to obedience, and shows the benefit of affliction, Consider Heb.12:5-11. V3b It would take 3 days to go thru all the main streets and lanes of the city to proclaim God’s message.
Jonah 3:4
V4 Jonah waste no time and cries out v4b, The wickedness of our society and our individual lives ripens us for destruction, and no amount of wealth and greatness can protect us. The 40 days represent God’s patients, and another chance, for the wicked to humble themselves and repent. Forty days is not a long time for the wicked to repent, and although some would procrastinate, it may cause some sinners to repent. Note v2b is also Gods encouragement, that He would be w/Jonah, to support him in this hazardous journey. We can also see in v2b how the steps of a good man or ordered by the Lord and how we must follow God, by faith and not by sight. Usually the circumstances of our Journey will always appear to be more than we can handle, our comfort is knowing that God is w/us Ps.46:1 and Heb.13:5 and this is also God’s way of keeping us dependent upon Him.
Jonah 3:5
V5 Nineveh repented, which was a miraculous work of God, and it is very possible that Nineveh heard about Jonah in the belly of the whale and the sailor’s events, and from this we can see God’s Sovereignty in controlling events in life, in spite of our disobedience, to save souls and glorify Himself. Nineveh repenting at God’s message thru Jonah is also why there is going to be a greater condemnation upon Israel, and this Gospel generation Matt.12:38-41. Now word v6 is brought to the king of Nineveh from the people of Nineveh. But not by way of information against Jonah as if he was disturbing public peace, that he should be silenced or punished, which probably would have been done, had he cried this message in the streets of Jerusalem who killed God’s prophets and stoned those who were sent to Jerusalem. But instead here in Nineveh word came to the king as a message from Heaven, and it was received in the same manner. Judging the reaction of the king in v6 he was happy to receive this warning of God’s providence and the displeasure Nineveh was under and the people were also happy to have a king who took notice of God’s warnings and displeasure against them Consider Prov.29:2.
Jonah 3:6
The king set a good example of humiliation in v6 for the people, by humbling himself before God. And he was humbled before God not only in reverence to a word from God, but also in fear of a word of wrath, and in sorrow and shame for sin, in which he and his people had become obnoxious to God’s wrath and anger and insensitive to sin, as we in our country and world have become today. The king humbling himself before God is an indication that he acknowledges that he did not use his power, as he should have to restrain violence, wickedness, corruption, sin and immorality in order to maintain the righteousness of God. This king rendered Himself unworthy of the honor and trust put upon him as king and that God was just in taking his kingdom from him, and this is an example the ungodly politicians of our country and world should learn from. And not only for their sake, but also for the good of the people they are called to serve, Prov.29:2. Also notice v5 that it was the people who led the way in humiliation and not the king, who followed them in v6.
Jonah 3:7-8
A general fast was proclaimed thru out that great city v7-8 by the king and his nobles. The whole legislative power agreed in appointing this decree and the body of people agreed to observe this decree in order to prevent national ruin of their society, which is another example the leaders and the people of our society should learn from 2nd Chron. 7:14, Also Consider 1st Peter 4:7. This fast was too be a fast of great sacrifice even in spite of the uneasiness many of them would suffer, for it would be better to suffer in uneasiness for sins thru fasting rather than suffer the wrath of God upon us for our sinful ways. And although the Bible does not advocate animal participation in repentance the beasts must also do penance because they have been made subject to vanity as the result of man’s sin Rom.8:19-22. With fasting and mourning and sorrow of heart and mind, they must also pray w/supplication unto God, for fasting is designed to fit the body for service of the soul in the duty of prayer, Consider Matt.5:4 and 17:19-21. In this, man and beast were to cry unto God v8a and b for all creations groaning even now, because of Adam’s sin Rom.8:19-22. Not only v8c, but also in v8d. To make amends for the wrongs they have done of how they took advantage over those they had power over. Note: It is not enough to fast for sin, but we must fast from sin and turn from sin to live a new life Consider 2nd Cor.7:8-11. Although Jonah’s message spoke only of judgment and not mercy, apparently the Assyrian king had some knowledge of God’s justice and hatred of sin v9 as do all of humanity Rom.1:18-20 and 2:12-16. There was a general nation of The Goodness of God’s nature, His mercy to man and God being pleased w/repentance and conversion of sinners 2nd Pet.3:9, and it doesn’t matter what culture, nation, kindred, tongue, people or ethnic background for this is what Christ shed His Blood for, and that is all people John 3:16, Also Consider Eph.2:11-22 and Rev.5:9-10.
In Jesus Name Amen
