Jonah - The Running Prophet
Jonah 1:3
Background
Jonah (Dove), the Reluctant Prophet from Gath Hepher. 2 Kings 14:25
Dates - ca. 782 B.C. - Contemporary of: Hosea, Amos, Isaiah, Micah
Nineveh - Capital of Assyria, a cruel powerful enemy of Israel. Northeast of Israel. Destroyed ca. 612 B.C.
Typical of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Matthew 12:38-41
Outline
Disobedience and Chastening - Chapter 1 (Rebellion) RUN FROM GOD
Call (vv. 1-2)
Flee (vv. 3-5)
Rebellion (vv. 4-11)
Lack of Repentance (vv. 12-17)
Prayer and Deliverance - Chapter 2 (Repentance) RUN TO GOD
Prayer (vv. 1-4)
Repentance and Results (vv. 5-10)
Preaching and Repentance - Chapter 3 (Second Chances) RUN WITH GOD
Jonah (vv. 1-3)
Nineveh (vv. 5-10)
Pouting and Reproof - Chapter 4 (Bitterness) RUN AHEAD OF GOD
Complaint (vv. 1-2)
Waiting for Destruction (v. 5)
Inverted Values (vv. 6-10)
God’s Mercy (v. 11)
Some Lessons
There is always a price to pay when you run from God. (1:3)
Rebellion always hurts others. (1:4-11)
It is possible to be at rest out of God’s will. (1:5)
God doesn’t give up on His call. (1:2; 3:2)
Faith leads to repentance then to good works. (3:5-10)
God’s actions toward men reflect man’s heart toward God. (3:10)
We must make the spiritual a priority over the material. (4:10-11)