.JPG)
Jonah
Jonah embodies one of our favorite pastimes: maximizing the sins of others while minimizing our own.
He was utterly blind to the Nineveh in his own soul.
The laws of God are given as a mirror, to reflect our own flaws and constant need of repentance, not a window by which to spy on the sins of others.
Lord grant us:
•a humble heart
•a contrite spirit
•a mouth to confess
•faith to believe
Let us pray, over and over, hour by hour, till our final breath, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” [1]
In Jonah 1, God commands the prophet Jonah to preach against the wicked city of Nineveh. Jonah disobeys and flees toward Tarshish by sea. God sends a severe storm, causing pagan sailors to pray and eventually throw Jonah overboard to calm the sea. God then sends a huge fish to swallow Jonah.
Jonah 2 details Jonah’s prayer of repentance and thanksgiving from inside the great fish after being thrown overboard. He acknowledges God’s salvation, vows to fulfill his promises, and is subsequently vomited onto dry land by the fish, illustrating God's mercy, sovereign control over creation, and grace toward disobedient servants.
Jonah 3 focuses on the prophet Jonah obeying God’s second command to preach
to Nineveh, leading to a massive, city-wide revival. The Ninevites respond to
his message by repenting, fasting, and wearing sackcloth. Consequently, God
shows mercy and withholds judgment from the city.
Jonah 4 reveals a sulking prophet angry that God spared Nineveh,
highlighting a contrast between Jonah's selfishness and God’s compassion. After
Jonah complains, God uses a rapid-growing plant, a worm, and a hot wind to
teach him that his concern for his own comfort outweighs his care for 100,000+
people. [2]
[1]
Chad Bird, Facebook post 5.11.2026 © 1517.org
[2] Chapter
summaries:
No comments:
Post a Comment