Reflections on the E-book of Jonah

We’ve got been listening to the story of Jonah since Sunday college, and doubtless even the children understand it very properly. We’ve got additionally heard varied highly effective messages from the boys of God in regards to the story.

However have we ever thought to look at; Who’s Jonah and why did God select Jonah to convey his message to the individuals of Nineveh? What’s so particular in regards to the E-book of Jonah?

As we learn within the Bible, God principally used prophets to convey His message to the individuals. Equally, Jonah was the son of Amittai and a prophet within the Northern Kingdom at a time when King Jeroboam was efficiently increasing the occupied land held by the ten tribes. Some research additionally say that Jonah dominated throughout/earlier than the time of Amos and Hosea.

After we minimize brief the story, because the wickedness elevated within the place of Nineveh, God used Jonah to display His mercy and love although they had been distant from Him. Additionally to remind them that they’re nonetheless His individuals and to inform them that He’s nonetheless watching their actions in direction of one another & God.

After we replicate on the passage rigorously, we see 4 phases of the lifetime of Jonah on this e book:

1. Jonah says “I WON’T GO” (1: 1-4) (Disobedience)

2. Jonah says “I WILL GO” (2: 1-10) (Repented)

3. Jonah says “I’M HERE” (3: 1-5) (Obedience)

4. Jonah says “I SHOULDN’T HAVE COME” (4: 1-11) (Displeased)

On this story, we see the disobedience of Jonah and the results confronted by Jonah for a similar. Many occasions after we hear God’s calling, we are saying “I WON’T or Am not going to do it”, considering that ministry or serving God can have an effect on our luxurious lives or we get scared to step out of our consolation zone. One more reason could possibly be the concern of Folks speaking about our previous lives and so forth.

However via Jonah’s story, we clearly perceive that we will not escape from God when He has chosen us for one thing nice. Jonah’s try and flee from God’s command demonstrates that irrespective of the place we go, we can not escape from God’s presence or His will.

Additionally, after we have a look at the storm at sea, the whale, a leafy plant (4:6), a worm (4:7), and the solar blazing(4:8) incidents, they remind us that each creature obeys God’s directions and display God’s energy and management over all conditions.

From the entire story of Jonah, there are just a few key classes that we must always study to expertise God’s superb deliverance in our lives:

Firstly, we see Jonah name on (pray to) God as quickly as he understands his mistake when he’s within the stomach of the whale.
Secondly, we see the individuals of Nineveh quick and pray to God as quickly as they perceive their wickedness.
Thirdly, we see essentially the most lovely creatures of God who obeyed God on their first calling.
Lastly, we see the love of God, His caring & concern in direction of us in (4:11). Which says, “And may I not have concern for the nice metropolis of Nineveh, during which there are greater than 100 and twenty thousand individuals who can not inform their proper hand from their left—and likewise many animals?”, even after we are away from Him.

As well as, we see how merciful God is:

Even after disobeying, God allowed Jonah to redeem himself by fulfilling his mission to Nineveh. (God’s Mercy on Jonah)
Regardless of the wickedness of the individuals of Nineveh, God has proven mercy and compassion by giving them an opportunity to repent. (God’s Mercy on Nineveh)

Equally, In our lives, we prioritize our favourite individuals, our Jobs, research, and worldly issues over God to flee or deviate from the desire of God. However, God is a loving God, who’ll by no means you nor forsake you as promised in Joshua 1:5.

God continues to be ready to FORGIVE & GIVE us a second probability, imagine in him, and repent.

Allow us to expertise the nice love and mercy of God via deliverance.

Citations /References :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Jonah
https://www.quora.com/Why-did-God-choose-Jonah-as-a-prophet-Doesnt-his-character-lack-much-more-than-all-the-other-prophets