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Jonah - The Running Prophet

Jonah 1:3

 

Background

  1. Jonah (Dove), the Reluctant Prophet from Gath Hepher. 2 Kings 14:25

  2. Dates - ca. 782 B.C. - Contemporary of: Hosea, Amos, Isaiah, Micah

  3. Nineveh - Capital of Assyria, a cruel powerful enemy of Israel. Northeast of Israel. Destroyed ca. 612 B.C.

  4. Typical of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Matthew 12:38-41

Outline

  1. Disobedience and Chastening - Chapter 1 (Rebellion) RUN FROM GOD

    1. Call (vv. 1-2)

    2. Flee (vv. 3-5)

    3. Rebellion (vv. 4-11)

    4. Lack of Repentance (vv. 12-17)

  2. Prayer and Deliverance - Chapter 2 (Repentance) RUN TO GOD

    1. Prayer (vv. 1-4)

    2. Repentance and Results (vv. 5-10)

  3. Preaching and Repentance - Chapter 3 (Second Chances) RUN WITH GOD

    1. Jonah (vv. 1-3)

    2. Nineveh (vv. 5-10)

  4. Pouting and Reproof - Chapter 4 (Bitterness) RUN AHEAD OF GOD

    1. Complaint (vv. 1-2)

    2. Waiting for Destruction (v. 5)

    3. Inverted Values (vv. 6-10)

    4. God’s Mercy (v. 11)

Some Lessons

  1. There is always a price to pay when you run from God. (1:3)

  2. Rebellion always hurts others. (1:4-11)

  3. It is possible to be at rest out of God’s will. (1:5)

  4. God doesn’t give up on His call. (1:2; 3:2)

  5. Faith leads to repentance then to good works. (3:5-10)

  6. God’s actions toward men reflect man’s heart toward God. (3:10)

  7. We must make the spiritual a priority over the material. (4:10-11)



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