By Jesse Jenkins

Benchley, October 7, 2020

* Jonah 1:1-4:11* Jonah* Background:* Written about 780 B.C. Among the first of the minor prophets to be written.* Matthew 12:39-40 – Jesus refers to the story of Jonah as a historical event. It is not allegorical.* The story of Jonah shows that God is Lord over the whole earth. He is anxious to save all if they will repent.* Overview of the book:* God gave a command. Jonah ran away from God.* Jonah 1:2* Jonah 1:7 – Lots were cast by men, but the decision was from God.* Jonah ran to God and was vomited out by the fish.* Jonah 2:1-10 – Jonah prays from inside the fish.* Jonah ran with God in warning the Ninevites (Jonah 3:1-10).* Assyria was at a low point in its history at this point. They also had somehow heard about Jonah being in the fish.* Matthew 12:41 – Ninevah repented!* Jonah ran ahead of God (Jonah 4:1-11).* Jonah had a strong prejudice. He didn’t want these people to be saved.* Four miracles in the book of Jonah:* Jonah surviving the fish.* The sea immediately calming after Jonah was thrown in.* Overnight growth of the plant (Jonah 4:6).* Overnight death of the plant (Jonah 4:7).* Lessons for us:* God’s love and mercy are for all people.* The evil of prejudice.* National sin requires national repentance.* We can know of the resurrection of Jesus because Jonah was a type of Jesus’ resurrection.* God created all and all is at His disposal.* God does not want us to be like Jonah.* Man cannot run away from God.* The necessity of faith that obeys.* Paraphrase of JW McGarvey: “The ability to accept a miracle depends on whether or not one spells his god with a capital G.”