While marking who and when, you probably noticed the repeated use of "angry" and "anger." Go through Jonah 4 and mark each occurrence of these words. Also mark "anger" in chapter 3.
Who is described as angry in chapter 3?
Why is He angry?
How is His anger described?
What does the king say might God to withdraw His burning anger?
And if God were to withdraw His anger, what might not happen to them?
According to 3:10, what happened?
When did Jonah first become angry?
What was it that made him angry?
What does Jonah tell us about God and anger?
In his anger, what does Jonah want God to do?
What question does God ask Jonah about his anger?
Does Jonah answer the Lord's question?
What does he do instead of answering?
Do you think that he thinks that God might change His mind? If so, why do you think Jonah might think God would change His mind?
If the Lord God had acted more like Jonah instead of Himself in verse 6, what might have happened when Jonah stubbornly refused to accept how God was working with the Ninevites?
Does what Jonah said earlier about the Lord appear to be true in the way the Lord is dealing with His stubborn prophet in verse 6? How so?
What does God say that Jonah is angry about in verse 9?
Why would Jonah be angry about the plant? Is he angry at the plant? Exactly what do you think he's angry about concerning the plant? (Use the context, including the following verse to help you decide on your answer.)
Did Jonah answer God's question this time? If so, what did he say?
What comparison between the plant and the Ninevites does God make for Jonah?
Why does God make that comparison?
What contrast do you see in Jonah 4?
What was the point of making this contrast? What do we learn from it?
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
When in Jonah 4
Read through Jonah 4 and mark all the references to time.
Answer these questions:
What word precedes "now" in verse 3?
What is "therefore" referring to? What did Jonah say he knew while he was still in his own country?
So, now, what would Jonah like the Lord to do because of what Jonah knows and has seen to be true?
The Lord asks Jonah if he has good reason to be angry. Then, what does Jonah do?
For how long did Jonah intend to sit under the shelter he made?
When did God appoint a worm to attack the plant?
When did God appoint a scorching east wind?
When did God ask Jonah once again if he had good reason to be angry?
When did the plant come up?
How quickly did it perish?
When did God talk to Jonah about having compassion?
Answer these questions:
What word precedes "now" in verse 3?
What is "therefore" referring to? What did Jonah say he knew while he was still in his own country?
So, now, what would Jonah like the Lord to do because of what Jonah knows and has seen to be true?
The Lord asks Jonah if he has good reason to be angry. Then, what does Jonah do?
For how long did Jonah intend to sit under the shelter he made?
When did God appoint a worm to attack the plant?
When did God appoint a scorching east wind?
When did God ask Jonah once again if he had good reason to be angry?
When did the plant come up?
How quickly did it perish?
When did God talk to Jonah about having compassion?
Saturday, December 5, 2009
The Whos in Jonah Chapter Four
Read Jonah 4.
Who is mentioned in this chapter?
Mark the Lord and every reference to the Lord, as you did for chapters 1-3.
Mark Jonah and every reference to him, as you did for chapters 1-3.
Is anyone else mentioned?
Mark them the same way as you did in previous chapters.
Now, let's observe this chapter by looking at the places we marked and asking questions of the text. Here are some questions that occurred to me. You might think of other questions that could be answered directly from the text.
Who was displeased and angry about God relenting from His intended calamity for Nineveh?
So, what's the first thing he did?
What does he say that he said while he was still in his own country? Does it appear that he knew God would do what He did?
What does he say that he knows about God?
So, what does he say that he wants God to do? Have we seen him feeling this way earlier?
What does the Lord ask him?
Does he give an answer?
What does he do?
What is he hoping he'll see while sitting under his shelter?
What does God do?
Why does it say that God did that?
How did Jonah feel about what God did?
Then what did God do?
What did the worm do?
What happened to the plant?
Then what did God do?
What were the consequences for Jonah?
What did Jonah want to have happen?
Has he previously felt this way?
What question does God ask Jonah?
How does Jonah answer? What recurring wish do you see?
What four things does the Lord tell Jonah about the plant that he had compassion on?
Who has compassion for Nineveh?
Why should He have compassion for Nineveh?
What do we learn about some of the Ninevites?
We don't hear or see Jonah's response at the end of this book. How do you think he reponded?
Who is mentioned in this chapter?
Mark the Lord and every reference to the Lord, as you did for chapters 1-3.
Mark Jonah and every reference to him, as you did for chapters 1-3.
Is anyone else mentioned?
Mark them the same way as you did in previous chapters.
Now, let's observe this chapter by looking at the places we marked and asking questions of the text. Here are some questions that occurred to me. You might think of other questions that could be answered directly from the text.
Who was displeased and angry about God relenting from His intended calamity for Nineveh?
So, what's the first thing he did?
What does he say that he said while he was still in his own country? Does it appear that he knew God would do what He did?
What does he say that he knows about God?
So, what does he say that he wants God to do? Have we seen him feeling this way earlier?
What does the Lord ask him?
Does he give an answer?
What does he do?
What is he hoping he'll see while sitting under his shelter?
What does God do?
Why does it say that God did that?
How did Jonah feel about what God did?
Then what did God do?
What did the worm do?
What happened to the plant?
Then what did God do?
What were the consequences for Jonah?
What did Jonah want to have happen?
Has he previously felt this way?
What question does God ask Jonah?
How does Jonah answer? What recurring wish do you see?
What four things does the Lord tell Jonah about the plant that he had compassion on?
Who has compassion for Nineveh?
Why should He have compassion for Nineveh?
What do we learn about some of the Ninevites?
We don't hear or see Jonah's response at the end of this book. How do you think he reponded?
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
God Relents
Read Jonah 3 and mark every occurrence of "relent" and/or "relented."
When the king of Nineveh uses "relent" the first time, what other two actions are associated with it?
And according to the king of Nineveh, if God were to relent, what would not happen to the Ninevites?
According to verse 10, what was it that caused God to withdraw His burning anger? Was it their pleading, wearing of sackcloth, fasting, and sitting on ashes, or was it something else?
And what happened to the calamity that God had declared He would bring upon them?
From reading your Nineveh information, you probably picked up on the fact that eventually, not too many decades from this time, Nineveh was destroyed, and you can read about that destruction in the book of Nahum. However, the calamity was delayed because of the repentance of this particular generation of Ninevites, who chose to believe God and turn from their wicked ways.
If the Ninevites hadn't turned from their wicked ways, what would have happened?
Who changed direction--the Ninevites or God?
Although Jonah's proclamation, as we read it in the Bible, doesn't mention a choice, the Ninevites obviously realized that, perhaps, they did have a choice in their destiny and they decided to act as if they did have a choice, and as we learn in Jonah 3, they made a wise choice.
Read Matthew 12:38-41. Jesus is speaking to a group of scribes and Pharisees.
What character traits does Jesus attribute to his generation in Israel?
What sign does He say shall be given to this generation?
Who is compared with Whom in verse 40? What miracle is compared to what other miracle?
At the time of the judgment who does Jesus say will stand up with this generation now alive in Israel?
What did the Ninevites do when they heard Jonah's preaching?
Why will that make them able to condemn the generation to whom Jesus is speaking?
Who preached to the generation to whom Jesus is speaking?
And what was their response? Did they make a wise choice? Did they respond as the Ninevites did?
Imagine how this comparison must have struck those to whom Jesus was speaking! Here He is--holding up the former enemies of His people as an example. He's saying that this former enemy will be able to condemn God's people on the day of judgment.
So, if God warns us that we're off the path of righteousness and heading toward destruction, is it better to continue heading the wrong way or to do as the Ninevites did?
God sent Amos the prophet to the Israelites at around the same time as He sent Jonah to the Ninevites. Did the Israelites respond in the same way as the Ninevites? Did they change their wicked ways? Did they repent? What happened to Israel in 722 BC? (You can find out by looking at your "Times of the Prophets" sheet. "The Divided Kingdom" sheet recounts what happened in the third paragraph on the right side.)
In 586 BC, Judah fell to the Babylonians after repeated warnings by God that they needed to turn back to Him, or else . . .
After 70 years in exile, a remnant returned, as Isaiah and Jeremiah had prophesied. They rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem and rebuilt the temple. They had children, and their population grew. They endured the Greek occupation, and fought for their independence under the Maccabees. Their country came under Roman control, and it was into this scene that God sent His Son Jesus as a baby, the Savior of the world. Did this new generation of Jewish people change their ways as that generation of Ninevites did in the days of Jonah? No, and in AD 70 Titus demolished the temple in Jerusalem and drove the Jews from their land, dispersing them far and wide.
So, what have we learned?
When the king of Nineveh uses "relent" the first time, what other two actions are associated with it?
And according to the king of Nineveh, if God were to relent, what would not happen to the Ninevites?
According to verse 10, what was it that caused God to withdraw His burning anger? Was it their pleading, wearing of sackcloth, fasting, and sitting on ashes, or was it something else?
And what happened to the calamity that God had declared He would bring upon them?
From reading your Nineveh information, you probably picked up on the fact that eventually, not too many decades from this time, Nineveh was destroyed, and you can read about that destruction in the book of Nahum. However, the calamity was delayed because of the repentance of this particular generation of Ninevites, who chose to believe God and turn from their wicked ways.
If the Ninevites hadn't turned from their wicked ways, what would have happened?
Who changed direction--the Ninevites or God?
Although Jonah's proclamation, as we read it in the Bible, doesn't mention a choice, the Ninevites obviously realized that, perhaps, they did have a choice in their destiny and they decided to act as if they did have a choice, and as we learn in Jonah 3, they made a wise choice.
Read Matthew 12:38-41. Jesus is speaking to a group of scribes and Pharisees.
What character traits does Jesus attribute to his generation in Israel?
What sign does He say shall be given to this generation?
Who is compared with Whom in verse 40? What miracle is compared to what other miracle?
At the time of the judgment who does Jesus say will stand up with this generation now alive in Israel?
What did the Ninevites do when they heard Jonah's preaching?
Why will that make them able to condemn the generation to whom Jesus is speaking?
Who preached to the generation to whom Jesus is speaking?
And what was their response? Did they make a wise choice? Did they respond as the Ninevites did?
Imagine how this comparison must have struck those to whom Jesus was speaking! Here He is--holding up the former enemies of His people as an example. He's saying that this former enemy will be able to condemn God's people on the day of judgment.
So, if God warns us that we're off the path of righteousness and heading toward destruction, is it better to continue heading the wrong way or to do as the Ninevites did?
God sent Amos the prophet to the Israelites at around the same time as He sent Jonah to the Ninevites. Did the Israelites respond in the same way as the Ninevites? Did they change their wicked ways? Did they repent? What happened to Israel in 722 BC? (You can find out by looking at your "Times of the Prophets" sheet. "The Divided Kingdom" sheet recounts what happened in the third paragraph on the right side.)
In 586 BC, Judah fell to the Babylonians after repeated warnings by God that they needed to turn back to Him, or else . . .
After 70 years in exile, a remnant returned, as Isaiah and Jeremiah had prophesied. They rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem and rebuilt the temple. They had children, and their population grew. They endured the Greek occupation, and fought for their independence under the Maccabees. Their country came under Roman control, and it was into this scene that God sent His Son Jesus as a baby, the Savior of the world. Did this new generation of Jewish people change their ways as that generation of Ninevites did in the days of Jonah? No, and in AD 70 Titus demolished the temple in Jerusalem and drove the Jews from their land, dispersing them far and wide.
So, what have we learned?
Ninevites Repent
How did the Ninevites respond to God's message that Jonah proclaimed to them?
Jonah 3:5 tells us that they believed, called a fast, and put on sackcloth.
Why would they call a fast and put on sackcloth?
Let's take a closer look at wearing sackcloth. What does it indicate about the person doing it?
How many times is sackcloth mentioned in Jonah 3? List the verses and note what is done along with wearing the sackcloth.
If you looked up "sackcloth" in the Holman Bible Dictionary, you would find this definition: A garment of coarse material fashioned from goat or camel hair worn as a sign of mourning or anguish, also marked by fasting and sitting on an ash heap.
To learn more about this practice of wearing sackcloth, you could find "sackcloth" in the concordance at the front of Strong's, find other verses that use this word, and look them up. The first mention of sackcloth in the Bible is in Genesis 37:34. What did Jacob do besides wear sackcloth when his other sons told him that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal?
The second time this word is used is in 2 Samuel 3:31. What does David tell the people to do when Abner is killed?
Read Esther 4:1-3. The Jews have just learned that they are to be exterminated in Persia. How do they respond?
What else do people do besides wear sackcloth?
Why did people lay on ashes or put ashes on themselves? What did ashes symbolize?
Read 2 Peter 2:6. What were the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah reduced to? Who reduced them? For whom were they to be an example?
Read Ezekiel 28:18. God is condemning Tyre. What does God say He has done to them? Why did He do it? What have they been turned to?
Read Malachi 4:3. What are the wicked going to be?
So, what do you think ashes might represent?
Complete destruction, God's wrath, and death might be a few words that come to mind. Ashes are a symbol of human mortality and of the humility needed by humans as they approach God, the One who created them and will judge them.
Read Job 42:6. What do dust and ashes symbolize in this passage?
Read Matthew 11:21. What does Jesus say that the people of Tyre and Sidon would have done in sackcloth and ashes?
So when people tore their clothes, put on sackcloth, heaped ashes on themselves or lay on ashes, wailed, wept, fasted, lamented and mourned, what were they doing before God? What was their visible behavior evidence of?
In Jonah 3:5 and 6, we see that along with wearing sackcloth, the Ninevites also fasted and sat on ashes. But most importantly, what did they do in verse 8?
How do these actions remind you of what Jonah did in chapter two?
How did God respond to Jonah's action in chapter two?
How did God respond to the Ninevite's actions in chapter three?
What does this teach us about God?
Jonah 3:5 tells us that they believed, called a fast, and put on sackcloth.
Why would they call a fast and put on sackcloth?
Let's take a closer look at wearing sackcloth. What does it indicate about the person doing it?
How many times is sackcloth mentioned in Jonah 3? List the verses and note what is done along with wearing the sackcloth.
If you looked up "sackcloth" in the Holman Bible Dictionary, you would find this definition: A garment of coarse material fashioned from goat or camel hair worn as a sign of mourning or anguish, also marked by fasting and sitting on an ash heap.
To learn more about this practice of wearing sackcloth, you could find "sackcloth" in the concordance at the front of Strong's, find other verses that use this word, and look them up. The first mention of sackcloth in the Bible is in Genesis 37:34. What did Jacob do besides wear sackcloth when his other sons told him that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal?
The second time this word is used is in 2 Samuel 3:31. What does David tell the people to do when Abner is killed?
Read Esther 4:1-3. The Jews have just learned that they are to be exterminated in Persia. How do they respond?
What else do people do besides wear sackcloth?
Why did people lay on ashes or put ashes on themselves? What did ashes symbolize?
Read 2 Peter 2:6. What were the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah reduced to? Who reduced them? For whom were they to be an example?
Read Ezekiel 28:18. God is condemning Tyre. What does God say He has done to them? Why did He do it? What have they been turned to?
Read Malachi 4:3. What are the wicked going to be?
So, what do you think ashes might represent?
Complete destruction, God's wrath, and death might be a few words that come to mind. Ashes are a symbol of human mortality and of the humility needed by humans as they approach God, the One who created them and will judge them.
Read Job 42:6. What do dust and ashes symbolize in this passage?
Read Matthew 11:21. What does Jesus say that the people of Tyre and Sidon would have done in sackcloth and ashes?
So when people tore their clothes, put on sackcloth, heaped ashes on themselves or lay on ashes, wailed, wept, fasted, lamented and mourned, what were they doing before God? What was their visible behavior evidence of?
In Jonah 3:5 and 6, we see that along with wearing sackcloth, the Ninevites also fasted and sat on ashes. But most importantly, what did they do in verse 8?
How do these actions remind you of what Jonah did in chapter two?
How did God respond to Jonah's action in chapter two?
How did God respond to the Ninevite's actions in chapter three?
What does this teach us about God?
Where in Jonah 3
Where does chapter 3 take place?
Mark all the references to Nineveh in the same way as you did in chapter one.
What did we learn about Nineveh in chapter one?
What additional information do we learn in chapter 3?
Now would be a good time to do some outside research on Nineveh. See if you can find the answers to these questions, either in resources you discover on your own, or in the information I'll provide after the questions.
Mark all the references to Nineveh in the same way as you did in chapter one.
What did we learn about Nineveh in chapter one?
What additional information do we learn in chapter 3?
Now would be a good time to do some outside research on Nineveh. See if you can find the answers to these questions, either in resources you discover on your own, or in the information I'll provide after the questions.
- Of what empire was Nineveh the capital?
- About how big was the main walled city?
- About how big was the city and its surrounding urban area?
- For what reasons might the Ninevites have been ready to repent and believe when Jonah delivered God's message?
- What would you see if you went to the site of Nineveh today?
- Is Jonah of continuing importance to the people of that region?
Check out these websites:
http://www.crystalinks.com/nineveh.html
http://www.bibleandkoran.net/verhaal/php?1IntEntityId=12
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosques_and_shrines_of_Mosul
http://www.blackfive.net/main/2008/12/mission-restore.html?cid=142216682
Excerpt from Holman Bible Dictionary, pg. 1024 NINEVEH The greatest of the capitals of the ancient Assyrian Empire, which flourished from about 800 to 612 BC It was located on the left bank of the Tigris river in northeastern Mesopotamia (Iraq today). Its remains are represented by two mounds named Quyundjiq "Many Sheep" and Nebi Yunus "The Prophet Jonah."
Excerpt from The New Unger's Bible Handbook, pg. 322 Recent discoveries have added credence to the historicity of the book. Excavations have revealed that 'greater' Nineveh was a district 30-60 miles across, agreeing well with the text of Jonah. pg. 324 Under Adad-nirari III (810-782 BC) there was an approach to monotheism in the worship of the god Nabu (Nebo). Either in the closing years of this reign or early in that of Ashur-dan III (772-755 BC) Jonah appeared in Nineveh. Whether the total eclipse in 763 BC, regarded as a divine portent, or the plagues of 765 or 759 BC, recorded in Assyrian history, prepared the Ninevites for their repentance cannot be known.
What surprised you the most?
Friday, November 13, 2009
Time in Jonah 3
Mark the references to time in Jonah 3 in the same way as you did for the previous two chapters.
When did the word of the Lord come to Jonah again? What had just happened at the end of the second chapter?
How many times had the word of the Lord come to Jonah?
Back then, how long would it take to walk through Nineveh?
When did Jonah first proclaim the message God had given him?
How long did Nineveh have before it would be overthrown?
When did the people of Nineveh believe in God?
When did the king of Nineveh cover himself with sackcloth?
When did God relent concerning the calamity which He had declared upon Nineveh?
What do we learn about God by marking these references to time?
When did the word of the Lord come to Jonah again? What had just happened at the end of the second chapter?
How many times had the word of the Lord come to Jonah?
Back then, how long would it take to walk through Nineveh?
When did Jonah first proclaim the message God had given him?
How long did Nineveh have before it would be overthrown?
When did the people of Nineveh believe in God?
When did the king of Nineveh cover himself with sackcloth?
When did God relent concerning the calamity which He had declared upon Nineveh?
What do we learn about God by marking these references to time?
More Whos in Jonah Chapter 3
Read through Jonah 3.
What whos do you see other than the Lord and Jonah?
I noticed the people of Nineveh, the king and his nobles.
On your key card, write king and Ninevites. Decide how you'll mark each one. Since the nobles could be counted as Ninevites, that's how you could mark them. If you'd like to mark them separately, go ahead.
Read through Jonah 3, marking every reference to the king and the Ninevites.
List what you learn about the Ninevites.
List what you learn about the king of Nineveh.
Who believed in God after Jonah made his proclamation?
What did they do after they believed?
How many of them did those things?
What did the king of Nineveh do when he heard what was going on?
What did the king cover himself with? What did he sit on? Why did he do those things?
What did the king's proclamation state?
Whom did he tell the Ninevites to call upon?
Why were they to earnestly call upon God?
What were they to turn from?
What was the king hoping would happen if they did that?
And what happened when the Ninevites followed the king's proclamation?
To consider: Do you think this is what Jonah was hoping would happen? What do you think he was expecting?
What whos do you see other than the Lord and Jonah?
I noticed the people of Nineveh, the king and his nobles.
On your key card, write king and Ninevites. Decide how you'll mark each one. Since the nobles could be counted as Ninevites, that's how you could mark them. If you'd like to mark them separately, go ahead.
Read through Jonah 3, marking every reference to the king and the Ninevites.
List what you learn about the Ninevites.
List what you learn about the king of Nineveh.
Who believed in God after Jonah made his proclamation?
What did they do after they believed?
How many of them did those things?
What did the king of Nineveh do when he heard what was going on?
What did the king cover himself with? What did he sit on? Why did he do those things?
What did the king's proclamation state?
Whom did he tell the Ninevites to call upon?
Why were they to earnestly call upon God?
What were they to turn from?
What was the king hoping would happen if they did that?
And what happened when the Ninevites followed the king's proclamation?
To consider: Do you think this is what Jonah was hoping would happen? What do you think he was expecting?
Monday, November 9, 2009
The Whos in Jonah Chapter Three
The Whos down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot . . . Whoa! Just being silly. After writing that blog title, that first line from Dr. Seuss' famous Grinch story simply slid out. Sorry about that.
On a more serious note, we've reached the third chapter of Jonah, and if we continue to observe it in a way consistent with how we've studied the first two chapters, we'll begin by reading it and looking for who is mentioned.
Read the chapter. Who is mentioned?
In the same way as you did for the first two chapters, mark the Lord and Jonah.
Add what you learn about the Lord to your list.
Add what you learn about Jonah to your list.
What comes to Jonah a second time? What does that show you about God?
Whose proclamation will be proclaimed to Nineveh?
Who will proclaim it?
Who went to Nineveh? Why did he go there?
Who told Nineveh that their city would be overthrown in forty days?
After hearing that message in whom did the Ninevites believe?
Whom were the Ninevites encouraged to call upon?
Why were they encouraged to do that?
What did they hope God would do?
Who saw that they turned from their wicked ways?
Who didn't bring upon them the calamity that Jonah had proclaimed?
Something to think about: Read Matthew 12:38-41. Ponder what Jesus said in relation to chapter three of Jonah. What is Jesus trying to tell the scribes and Pharisees of His day? Does what Jesus told them apply to us and our time?
There are other whos in this chapter whom we'll look at more closely in the next blog.
On a more serious note, we've reached the third chapter of Jonah, and if we continue to observe it in a way consistent with how we've studied the first two chapters, we'll begin by reading it and looking for who is mentioned.
Read the chapter. Who is mentioned?
In the same way as you did for the first two chapters, mark the Lord and Jonah.
Add what you learn about the Lord to your list.
Add what you learn about Jonah to your list.
What comes to Jonah a second time? What does that show you about God?
Whose proclamation will be proclaimed to Nineveh?
Who will proclaim it?
Who went to Nineveh? Why did he go there?
Who told Nineveh that their city would be overthrown in forty days?
After hearing that message in whom did the Ninevites believe?
Whom were the Ninevites encouraged to call upon?
Why were they encouraged to do that?
What did they hope God would do?
Who saw that they turned from their wicked ways?
Who didn't bring upon them the calamity that Jonah had proclaimed?
Something to think about: Read Matthew 12:38-41. Ponder what Jesus said in relation to chapter three of Jonah. What is Jesus trying to tell the scribes and Pharisees of His day? Does what Jesus told them apply to us and our time?
There are other whos in this chapter whom we'll look at more closely in the next blog.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Jonah's Prayer
Read Jonah 2:1 and 10.
These two verses provide a good summary of what happened.
Why do you think God wanted us to hear what Jonah prayed?
Read all of Jonah 2.
According to 2:2, where was Jonah when he cried out?
What was Jonah's assessment of his condition?
Why did he think he was in that predicament?
Jonah had willfully disobeyed God.
Did he have any right to pray?
Had he been so bad that he shouldn't bother praying?
What do we learn from this text?
What do learn about God from the way He answered Jonah's prayer?
Have you ever chosen not to pray because you thought it wouldn't do any good?
What have you learned from Jonah 2 that would challenge that way of thinking?
These two verses provide a good summary of what happened.
Why do you think God wanted us to hear what Jonah prayed?
Read all of Jonah 2.
According to 2:2, where was Jonah when he cried out?
What was Jonah's assessment of his condition?
Why did he think he was in that predicament?
Jonah had willfully disobeyed God.
Did he have any right to pray?
Had he been so bad that he shouldn't bother praying?
What do we learn from this text?
What do learn about God from the way He answered Jonah's prayer?
Have you ever chosen not to pray because you thought it wouldn't do any good?
What have you learned from Jonah 2 that would challenge that way of thinking?
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Fish or Whale?
We're now leaving the big fish behind, but before I do, let's take a look at this creature. The first day when we checked out the different Bible versions to see what type of creature they said swallowed Jonah, it was always a fish. We didn't have a KJV at the time, but I looked it up and it said: great fish. So, that led us to wonder why in the children's storybooks, it's always pictured as a whale.
That led me to look up "whale" in Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to see where whales are mentioned in the Bible. There's a reference in Job and another in Ezekiel for "whale." Neither are referring to Jonah. "Whales" is mentioned in Genesis, where it mentions that God created them. That's not referring to Jonah either. Then I saw "whale's." The scripture reference next to it is Matthew 12:40, and the piece of verse was: three nights in the w belly; so shall the . . . Hmmm . . . now this is sounding like the Jonah story, so let's check it out. And just in case we need it, the Strong's number is #G2785.
Let's begin by looking up Matthew 12:40. We seem to be entering into the middle of a conversation, so let's back up and begin reading with verse 38. Read through verse 41, although it gives away some of what we'll soon be learning in Jonah 3.
This is a conversation between Jesus and some scribes and Pharisees. We'll discuss this conversation more later, but for right now, what does Jesus say Jonah was in the belly of? My NASB version translates it as "sea monster." However, if you read this verse in the KJV, it says "whale's belly."
So, what was the Greek word that was used? If you look up #2785 in the Greek dictionary, it has "ketos" as the original word. It referred to a "a huge fish (as gaping for prey)," and is translated as "whale."
Hmmm . . . Jonah took place during Old Testament times. What was the Hebrew word for "whale"? Next to the Job, Ezekiel, and Genesis verses that used "whale," the number is #H8577. The original Hebrew word was "tannin" or "tannim," and it means "a marine or land monster, i.e. sea-serpent or jackal," and it can be translated as: dragon, sea-monster, serpent, whale.
The Hebrew word used in the Jonah passage has the number #H1709. The Hebrew word corresponding to this number is "dag." And it means "a fish," and it's translated as "fish."
Therefore it appears that the writer of Jonah meant a fish. The writer of Matthew used a word that meant a huge fish, but it was translated into the English centuries ago as "whale," back when people hadn't really figured out that whales weren't fish. So, it appears to me to be a matter of translation into our language.
Then there's the whole issue of whether a person could survive three days and nights in the gastric juices of a whale or a large fish. My perspective on that is that this is God we're talking about--God is supernatural. He can transcend the laws of nature, because He's the one who created them in the first place. Anything is possible with God. If God wanted it to happen, it happened.
That led me to look up "whale" in Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to see where whales are mentioned in the Bible. There's a reference in Job and another in Ezekiel for "whale." Neither are referring to Jonah. "Whales" is mentioned in Genesis, where it mentions that God created them. That's not referring to Jonah either. Then I saw "whale's." The scripture reference next to it is Matthew 12:40, and the piece of verse was: three nights in the w belly; so shall the . . . Hmmm . . . now this is sounding like the Jonah story, so let's check it out. And just in case we need it, the Strong's number is #G2785.
Let's begin by looking up Matthew 12:40. We seem to be entering into the middle of a conversation, so let's back up and begin reading with verse 38. Read through verse 41, although it gives away some of what we'll soon be learning in Jonah 3.
This is a conversation between Jesus and some scribes and Pharisees. We'll discuss this conversation more later, but for right now, what does Jesus say Jonah was in the belly of? My NASB version translates it as "sea monster." However, if you read this verse in the KJV, it says "whale's belly."
So, what was the Greek word that was used? If you look up #2785 in the Greek dictionary, it has "ketos" as the original word. It referred to a "a huge fish (as gaping for prey)," and is translated as "whale."
Hmmm . . . Jonah took place during Old Testament times. What was the Hebrew word for "whale"? Next to the Job, Ezekiel, and Genesis verses that used "whale," the number is #H8577. The original Hebrew word was "tannin" or "tannim," and it means "a marine or land monster, i.e. sea-serpent or jackal," and it can be translated as: dragon, sea-monster, serpent, whale.
The Hebrew word used in the Jonah passage has the number #H1709. The Hebrew word corresponding to this number is "dag." And it means "a fish," and it's translated as "fish."
Therefore it appears that the writer of Jonah meant a fish. The writer of Matthew used a word that meant a huge fish, but it was translated into the English centuries ago as "whale," back when people hadn't really figured out that whales weren't fish. So, it appears to me to be a matter of translation into our language.
Then there's the whole issue of whether a person could survive three days and nights in the gastric juices of a whale or a large fish. My perspective on that is that this is God we're talking about--God is supernatural. He can transcend the laws of nature, because He's the one who created them in the first place. Anything is possible with God. If God wanted it to happen, it happened.
When in Jonah 2
Using the same mark as you did in Jonah 1, mark all the words that would answer the question "when" in Jonah 2.
When did Jonah pray to the Lord from the stomach of the fish?
When a "when" word such as "then" appears at the beginning of the first verse of a chapter, it's usually necessary to go back to the previous chapter in order to figure out the answer to the question. What do we learn when we look back at the last verse of chapter one? We learn that the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights.
What happened then? The next verse in chapter two gives us the answer: Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the stomach of the fish . . .
So, what might be your answer to the first question? Perhaps, it would be that he prayed after being swallowed. Maybe you would answer that Jonah prayed after spending three days and three nights in the stomach of the fish. Which one is correct? Well, let's observe some more, and you can decide if one or the other of those answers seems more specifically correct than the other. One thing that we could all agree on is that it was after he was swallowed.
This next question isn't prompted by a "when" word, but it has something to do with what happened when. Did Jonah pray only from inside the stomach of the fish, or does he indicate in this chapter that he prayed from elsewhere at some time before that?
Notice in verse two how he says that he cried for help from the depth of Sheol. He cried out, prayed, before being swallowed. Much of what is described in this prayer in verse two happened between verses 16 and 17 in chapter one. We're backtracking. Meanwhile, while the sailors on the ship were sacrificing to the Lord and making vows, what was Jonah doing? Distressed and near death, feeling totally expelled from God, he's crying out to the Lord.
What "when" term is used in verse five? To what point in his life was Jonah brought by this experience in the deeps?
For how long did Jonah think the earth with its bars was around him? This bleak existence without God seemed endless, yet what happened then? What does Jonah say he was doing when he remembered the Lord?
When did the Lord command the fish to vomit Jonah onto the dry land? What is it that Jonah remembered about the Lord?
Something to think about: We haven't yet studied the message that Jonah is to bring to the Ninevites, but you're probably somewhat familiar with it. At this point we know that Jonah realizes that his salvation came from the Lord. Is he ready to admit that the Lord's salvation is available for others? If and when he eventually heads toward Nineveh, is he primarily going to offer salvation, or is he thinking of something else when he delivers the Lord's message?
When did Jonah pray to the Lord from the stomach of the fish?
When a "when" word such as "then" appears at the beginning of the first verse of a chapter, it's usually necessary to go back to the previous chapter in order to figure out the answer to the question. What do we learn when we look back at the last verse of chapter one? We learn that the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights.
What happened then? The next verse in chapter two gives us the answer: Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the stomach of the fish . . .
So, what might be your answer to the first question? Perhaps, it would be that he prayed after being swallowed. Maybe you would answer that Jonah prayed after spending three days and three nights in the stomach of the fish. Which one is correct? Well, let's observe some more, and you can decide if one or the other of those answers seems more specifically correct than the other. One thing that we could all agree on is that it was after he was swallowed.
This next question isn't prompted by a "when" word, but it has something to do with what happened when. Did Jonah pray only from inside the stomach of the fish, or does he indicate in this chapter that he prayed from elsewhere at some time before that?
Notice in verse two how he says that he cried for help from the depth of Sheol. He cried out, prayed, before being swallowed. Much of what is described in this prayer in verse two happened between verses 16 and 17 in chapter one. We're backtracking. Meanwhile, while the sailors on the ship were sacrificing to the Lord and making vows, what was Jonah doing? Distressed and near death, feeling totally expelled from God, he's crying out to the Lord.
What "when" term is used in verse five? To what point in his life was Jonah brought by this experience in the deeps?
For how long did Jonah think the earth with its bars was around him? This bleak existence without God seemed endless, yet what happened then? What does Jonah say he was doing when he remembered the Lord?
When did the Lord command the fish to vomit Jonah onto the dry land? What is it that Jonah remembered about the Lord?
Something to think about: We haven't yet studied the message that Jonah is to bring to the Ninevites, but you're probably somewhat familiar with it. At this point we know that Jonah realizes that his salvation came from the Lord. Is he ready to admit that the Lord's salvation is available for others? If and when he eventually heads toward Nineveh, is he primarily going to offer salvation, or is he thinking of something else when he delivers the Lord's message?
Monday, October 26, 2009
Where in Jonah 2
Now, it's time to mark geographical locations that you find in Jonah 2. Mark them in the same way as you did for Jonah 1. In addition, mark any locations that might not be exactly geographical, but that might be a place you want to find out more about. Jonah 2 has a number of places like that mentioned in it.
Did you mark "the depth of Sheol" in verse 2? What does Jonah say that he did from "the depth of Sheol"? Do verses 5 and 6 give you any insight as to where or what "the depth of Sheol" is? What do you think?
In my New American Standard Bible, there's a footnote mark next to "Sheol." In the cross-references, these verses are listed next to the corresponding mark: Ps. 18:5,6; 86:13; 88:1-7.
Read each of these scripture references. With what would you associate Sheol?
For each of these scripture references, my Bible had a footnote mark by "Sheol." When I looked at it, it said "the nether world." What's that? What do you think it is from the context? If you can, look it up in a dictionary. What does it say that it is?
In Ps. 88:3-4 and 6, what word could be substituted for "Sheol"? Did you notice that same word used by Jonah to refer to "Sheol"?
In Ps. 18:5-6, where does it say that God was when He heard the psalmist's voice?
How is this similar to Jonah 2:7?
After King Solomon finished building the temple in Jerusalem, he held a huge dedication ceremony and prayed before the Lord. Read this section of his prayer: 1 Kings 8:27-30. How does the temple fit into the prayers of the people? Does this help you understand why Jonah said what he said in his prayer?
Where is Jonah at the end of this chapter? Read the first two verses of chapter 3. Do you think it more likely that the dry land was on some island, the north coast of Africa, a beach near Tarshish, or fairly close to Joppa where Jonah had started his voyage? Why do you think that? What is God giving Jonah?
Think about places that God has dropped you off. Why do you think you've landed in those particular places?
Did you mark "the depth of Sheol" in verse 2? What does Jonah say that he did from "the depth of Sheol"? Do verses 5 and 6 give you any insight as to where or what "the depth of Sheol" is? What do you think?
In my New American Standard Bible, there's a footnote mark next to "Sheol." In the cross-references, these verses are listed next to the corresponding mark: Ps. 18:5,6; 86:13; 88:1-7.
Read each of these scripture references. With what would you associate Sheol?
For each of these scripture references, my Bible had a footnote mark by "Sheol." When I looked at it, it said "the nether world." What's that? What do you think it is from the context? If you can, look it up in a dictionary. What does it say that it is?
In Ps. 88:3-4 and 6, what word could be substituted for "Sheol"? Did you notice that same word used by Jonah to refer to "Sheol"?
In Ps. 18:5-6, where does it say that God was when He heard the psalmist's voice?
How is this similar to Jonah 2:7?
After King Solomon finished building the temple in Jerusalem, he held a huge dedication ceremony and prayed before the Lord. Read this section of his prayer: 1 Kings 8:27-30. How does the temple fit into the prayers of the people? Does this help you understand why Jonah said what he said in his prayer?
Where is Jonah at the end of this chapter? Read the first two verses of chapter 3. Do you think it more likely that the dry land was on some island, the north coast of Africa, a beach near Tarshish, or fairly close to Joppa where Jonah had started his voyage? Why do you think that? What is God giving Jonah?
Think about places that God has dropped you off. Why do you think you've landed in those particular places?
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Jonah in Jonah 2
Now, let's look at what we learn about Jonah in Jonah 2. As you read through chapter 2, mark every reference to Jonah in the same way as you marked them in chapter 1.
List what you learn about Jonah.
Who prayed to the Lord?
Where was he when he prayed?
What caused him to call to the Lord?
Something to think about--When surrounded by the terrible storm that threatened not only his life, but the lives of the crew and captain, do we ever see any evidence that Jonah called to the Lord? From this context, what seems to be a synonym for "called to the Lord"? What do you think is the difference in this situation?
What happened when he called to the Lord?
Where does he say he was when he called to the Lord?
Where's that? We'll look at that when we discuss places.
Who heard his voice?
Who, does Jonah say, cast him into the deep?
Something to think about: Yet, in Jonah 1, who did we see cast Jonah into the sea?
Why do you think Jonah saw it differently?
What are all the things that happened to Jonah as he sunk down through the water?
How far did he say he was descending?
What image does "the earth with its bars" give you of his situation?
To what might that be compared in 2:2?
So, what does verse 2 say that he did when he felt surrounded by "the earth with its bars"?
Who rescued him at this point?
From where does he say he was rescued?
To what might that be compared in 2:2?
Had he left the confines of the fish's stomach at this point?
When did Jonah say that he remembered the Lord?
To whom does he say his prayer went?
What does Jonah promise God?
What does Jonah say comes from the Lord?
Something to think about: Jonah says that he's thankful and saved, and he's still in the fish's stomach! What do you make of that?
And at that point, what happened to Jonah?
How long had Jonah been in the stomach of that fish?
List what you learn about Jonah.
Who prayed to the Lord?
Where was he when he prayed?
What caused him to call to the Lord?
Something to think about--When surrounded by the terrible storm that threatened not only his life, but the lives of the crew and captain, do we ever see any evidence that Jonah called to the Lord? From this context, what seems to be a synonym for "called to the Lord"? What do you think is the difference in this situation?
What happened when he called to the Lord?
Where does he say he was when he called to the Lord?
Where's that? We'll look at that when we discuss places.
Who heard his voice?
Who, does Jonah say, cast him into the deep?
Something to think about: Yet, in Jonah 1, who did we see cast Jonah into the sea?
Why do you think Jonah saw it differently?
What are all the things that happened to Jonah as he sunk down through the water?
How far did he say he was descending?
What image does "the earth with its bars" give you of his situation?
To what might that be compared in 2:2?
So, what does verse 2 say that he did when he felt surrounded by "the earth with its bars"?
Who rescued him at this point?
From where does he say he was rescued?
To what might that be compared in 2:2?
Had he left the confines of the fish's stomach at this point?
When did Jonah say that he remembered the Lord?
To whom does he say his prayer went?
What does Jonah promise God?
What does Jonah say comes from the Lord?
Something to think about: Jonah says that he's thankful and saved, and he's still in the fish's stomach! What do you make of that?
And at that point, what happened to Jonah?
How long had Jonah been in the stomach of that fish?
Friday, October 23, 2009
The Lord in Jonah 2
Always remember to begin your time in God's Word with prayer, asking for the Holy Spirit to guide you and help you understand what it is that God has to say to you today.
Start by reading Jonah 2 aloud, imagining that you are Jonah inside a big fish.
Now, go through Jonah 2, marking every reference to the Lord in the same way as you did in Jonah 1.
When you finish, list everything you learn about the Lord in Jonah 2.
To whom did Jonah pray?
Who answered Jonah's prayer?
Who does Jonah say cast him into the deep?
According to Jonah, to whom do the breakers and billows belong?
What did Jonah say he had been expelled from?
Whose holy temple does Jonah say he's going to look toward?
Who brought up Jonah's life from the pit?
Who did Jonah remember when he was fainting away?
To whom did Jonah's prayer come?
To whom will Jonah sacrifice?
What does Jonah say comes from the Lord?
What did the Lord do when Jonah had finished his prayer?
Some things to think about:
Who saved Jonah from fleeing from God's presence?
Who saved Jonah from drowning in the depths of the sea?
Notice that even when he's in the gut of the fish, Jonah considers himself saved.
From these experiences, do you think Jonah might be willing to agree that God could keep him safe even in the enemy territory of Nineveh, especially since it was God who asked him to go there in the first place?
Who would save the Ninevites from fleeing from God's presence?
Who would save the Israelites from fleeing from God's presence?
To what lengths will God go to prevent people from permanently fleeing from His presence?
Might God be calling you and me to help someone else stop fleeing from His presence?
Do we feel like fleeing when called upon by God to do that?
Take some time to pray about these things, as you consider how God is calling you.
Start by reading Jonah 2 aloud, imagining that you are Jonah inside a big fish.
Now, go through Jonah 2, marking every reference to the Lord in the same way as you did in Jonah 1.
When you finish, list everything you learn about the Lord in Jonah 2.
To whom did Jonah pray?
Who answered Jonah's prayer?
Who does Jonah say cast him into the deep?
According to Jonah, to whom do the breakers and billows belong?
What did Jonah say he had been expelled from?
Whose holy temple does Jonah say he's going to look toward?
Who brought up Jonah's life from the pit?
Who did Jonah remember when he was fainting away?
To whom did Jonah's prayer come?
To whom will Jonah sacrifice?
What does Jonah say comes from the Lord?
What did the Lord do when Jonah had finished his prayer?
Some things to think about:
Who saved Jonah from fleeing from God's presence?
Who saved Jonah from drowning in the depths of the sea?
Notice that even when he's in the gut of the fish, Jonah considers himself saved.
From these experiences, do you think Jonah might be willing to agree that God could keep him safe even in the enemy territory of Nineveh, especially since it was God who asked him to go there in the first place?
Who would save the Ninevites from fleeing from God's presence?
Who would save the Israelites from fleeing from God's presence?
To what lengths will God go to prevent people from permanently fleeing from His presence?
Might God be calling you and me to help someone else stop fleeing from His presence?
Do we feel like fleeing when called upon by God to do that?
Take some time to pray about these things, as you consider how God is calling you.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Why didn't Jonah want to go to Nineveh?
From what we covered today, what do you think are some reasons why Jonah didn't want to go to Nineveh?
Jot down any reasons that occur to you. As we progress through our study, other reasons may come to mind.
Some things to think about:
What was the relationship between Israel and Assyria?
When God instructed Jonah to go to Nineveh, what reason did He give for sending him?
What do you think Jonah would want to happen to the Ninevites?
How is Jonah's message to the Ninevites similar to Amos' message to the Israelites?
In Amos' message, God mentioned sending a foreign nation against Israel. What foreign nation do you think He had in mind?
Is it possible that Jonah would have heard Amos' prophecies? If so, how might that affect his attitude toward the Ninevites?
Jot down any reasons that occur to you. As we progress through our study, other reasons may come to mind.
Some things to think about:
What was the relationship between Israel and Assyria?
When God instructed Jonah to go to Nineveh, what reason did He give for sending him?
What do you think Jonah would want to happen to the Ninevites?
How is Jonah's message to the Ninevites similar to Amos' message to the Israelites?
In Amos' message, God mentioned sending a foreign nation against Israel. What foreign nation do you think He had in mind?
Is it possible that Jonah would have heard Amos' prophecies? If so, how might that affect his attitude toward the Ninevites?
The Reputation of the Assyrians
During Jonah's lifetime, the Assyrians were the dominant world power. They were not only dominant, but feared, known for their brutality and cruelty. When Amos mentioned being led away with meat hooks, he meant it. To learn more about the Assyrians, check out this site:
http://www.bible-history.com/old-testament/BKA2The_Assyrians.htm
For approximately how long were the Assyrians the leading power in the ancient world?
Were they the leading power when Jonah lived?
How did they capture Samaria, the capital of Israel?
From other sources, I've read that they first destroyed all the other cities, towns, and villages in Israel and then laid siege to Samaria for three years!
What happened to thousands of Israelites?
Why did the Assyrians do that?
What kind of reaction do you think their battle practices would evoke in their yet unconquered neighbors?
What were the two main reasons why the Hebrew people harbored hostility against this nation?
In what book of the Bible is this attitude clearly revealed?
http://www.bible-history.com/old-testament/BKA2The_Assyrians.htm
For approximately how long were the Assyrians the leading power in the ancient world?
Were they the leading power when Jonah lived?
How did they capture Samaria, the capital of Israel?
From other sources, I've read that they first destroyed all the other cities, towns, and villages in Israel and then laid siege to Samaria for three years!
What happened to thousands of Israelites?
Why did the Assyrians do that?
What kind of reaction do you think their battle practices would evoke in their yet unconquered neighbors?
What were the two main reasons why the Hebrew people harbored hostility against this nation?
In what book of the Bible is this attitude clearly revealed?
722 BC
Look on your "Times of the Prophets" sheet. What happened to the kingdom of Israel in 722 BC? Notice that both Jonah and Amos prophesied not that many years before Israel's fall.
Look on your "When Old Testament Events Happened" sheet. Find where it says "End of Northern Kingdom." Underneath you see two Bible books that cover that time period. What are they? In the bottom right hand corner, you see that these events are also covered in the books of prophecy.
We read about Jonah and Jeroboam in 2 Kings 14. We can read an abbreviated account of the fall of Israel in 2 Kings 18:11-12. For the more complete account, we can read 2 Kings 17:1-24.
What happened to the people and kingdom of Israel?
Why did the king of Assyria carry Israel away into exile?
Whose hand is seen in this event?
What could have prevented this event from happening?
Look on your "When Old Testament Events Happened" sheet. Find where it says "End of Northern Kingdom." Underneath you see two Bible books that cover that time period. What are they? In the bottom right hand corner, you see that these events are also covered in the books of prophecy.
We read about Jonah and Jeroboam in 2 Kings 14. We can read an abbreviated account of the fall of Israel in 2 Kings 18:11-12. For the more complete account, we can read 2 Kings 17:1-24.
What happened to the people and kingdom of Israel?
Why did the king of Assyria carry Israel away into exile?
Whose hand is seen in this event?
What could have prevented this event from happening?
Jonah's Contemporary
Look at your "Times of the Prophets" sheet to find out what prophet overlapped Jonah.
Amos' and Jonah's lives overlapped. They both lived and prophesied during the reign of Jeroboam II in Israel. From Amos we can learn a lot about what was going on in Israel at the time. Read as many of these passages in Amos as you can. Jot down the behaviors that Amos spoke against and what he prophesied would happen if the people didn't change their behavior. If you don't have time to read them all, read the ones in italics.
Amos' and Jonah's lives overlapped. They both lived and prophesied during the reign of Jeroboam II in Israel. From Amos we can learn a lot about what was going on in Israel at the time. Read as many of these passages in Amos as you can. Jot down the behaviors that Amos spoke against and what he prophesied would happen if the people didn't change their behavior. If you don't have time to read them all, read the ones in italics.
- Amos 2:6-8
- Amos 3:10-11, 13-15
- Amos 4:1-3
- Amos 5:6-7, 10-12
- Amos 6:1-8, 14
- Amos 7:7-17
- Amos 8:4-6
What did Amos tell the Israelites about their behavior?
What did he say the consequences of that behavior would be if it didn't change?
If King Jeroboam and the citizens of Israel had voted for their favorite prophet, who would have won--Jonah or Amos?
Thinking About Jonah's First Message
As you know, Jonah lived during the time of the divided kingdom. The kingdom divided after the reign of Solomon. Solomon's son Rehoboam should have been the next king for the entire kingdom, but when he told the people how he planned to rule them even more harshly than his father, the ten northern tribes revolted under the leadership of Jeroboam, son of Nebat. Earlier, Jeroboam had managed Solomon's laborers that he had conscripted for his massive building projects. These ten tribes made Jeroboam their king. Their portion of the kingdom was called Israel. Rehoboam was left with two tribes and the southern portion of the kingdom. It was called Judah.
On your "Times of the Prophets" sheet, you can see where the kingdom split after the reign of Solomon. You can see the line of kings who followed Jeroboam in the north and the line of kings who followed Rehoboam in the south. In the middle, the prophets are named. The first three prophets named are Elijah, Elisha, and Joel. Just after 790 BC (on the bottom of the sheet), you'll see Jonah. Who was king of Israel when Jonah lived? Who was king of Judah?
In 2 Kings 14:25, we read about a Jonah who gave the second Jeroboam a message.
What would make us think that this Jonah is the same person as the Jonah in the book of Jonah?
What did Jonah tell King Jeroboam?
How do you think that prophecy went over with the king and the citizens of Israel when Jonah made it? How do you think they felt when it came to pass? How would that make them feel toward Jonah?
On your "Times of the Prophets" sheet, you can see where the kingdom split after the reign of Solomon. You can see the line of kings who followed Jeroboam in the north and the line of kings who followed Rehoboam in the south. In the middle, the prophets are named. The first three prophets named are Elijah, Elisha, and Joel. Just after 790 BC (on the bottom of the sheet), you'll see Jonah. Who was king of Israel when Jonah lived? Who was king of Judah?
In 2 Kings 14:25, we read about a Jonah who gave the second Jeroboam a message.
What would make us think that this Jonah is the same person as the Jonah in the book of Jonah?
What did Jonah tell King Jeroboam?
How do you think that prophecy went over with the king and the citizens of Israel when Jonah made it? How do you think they felt when it came to pass? How would that make them feel toward Jonah?
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