Bible Study: Themes and Life Lessons from Jonah
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Hi Everyone! I've decided to put together some notes for anyone interested in learning about the books of the Bible. My emphasis here will be on sharing the context in which the book was written; this includes the history and date of the book, as well as an outline of the major ideas of each chapter. I've also included a short listing of practical applications derived from each chapter of the book.
# **Date**
The probable date for the book of Jonah is around 800-750 B.C., making Jonah among the first of the Minor Prophets and perhaps an older contemporary with Amos and Hosea.
# **Historical Setting**
The events recorded in Jonah occurred during a period in which the Northern Kingdom of Israel was reclaiming its former territories. While they were enjoying this “prosperity,” Jeroboam II (c. 790-c. 749) proved to be an evil ruler (2 Kings 14:23-25). Nineveh was the capitol of the war-prone Assyrian empire until it was destroyed in 612 B.C. At the time of Jonah, the Assyrian empire had declined from its ninth century prominence. Less than a century later, Assyria reclaimed its political might and captured the Northern Kingdom (Israel).
# **Author**
Although there is no stated author within the book, tradition maintains that the author is Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath Hepher (2 Kings 14:25), which was a border town for the land allotment for the children of Zebulun (Joshua 19:10-13). The name Jonah means “dove.”
# **Historicity**
The facts concerning the details of the prophet’s life indicate that Jonah was a real person. In fact, Jonah lived during the reign of Jeroboam II (2 Kings 14:25). While there is a debate concerning the historical reality of the events recorded in the book, it remains that Jesus himself testified concerning the truthfulness of these events in Matthew 12:39-41.
# **Themes**
Jonah contains several themes. It begins with the anger of God at wickedness and concludes with His mercy and compassion. It is interesting that throughout the work one may deduce the theme that Israel’s role in God’s plan of salvation is not limited to a blood-relationship to Abraham. This often leads to equating Jonah as a type of Israel rather than an obstinate man who refuses to see the comparisons of his own life with those of the Gentiles he encounters in the story. The book also portrays true repentance and declares the sovereignty of God over all of creation, God’s desire to relent from doing harm, His patience with us, and His willingness to give second chances. The pervading message of Jonah is that God extends His salvation to anyone He wishes.
# **Style**
Interestingly, although the book is included in the canon among the Minor Prophets, its only line of prophecy can be found in chapter 3, verse 4: *"Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be overthrown!"* Unlike most prophecies, Jonah is written as a didactic, historical narrative. But it does contain other elements common to prophecies, such as the poetry of his thanksgiving psalm in chapter 2 and the combined use of the first and third person tenses. Perhaps because of the fascinating miracles, Jonah is often misunderstood as a romance, allegory, or a parable. But again, based on the book’s context, it seems more probable to look at such miracles in light of the sovereignty of God over all of His creation (1:9) and treat them as a narration of historical facts.
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## <center>**Chapter 1**</center><center>**“The Futility of Running from God”**</center>
Chapter Theme: It is futile to run from God.
### I. God gives us responsibilities. (1:1-2)
1. He speaks to us. (1:1)
2. His words are clear. (1:2)
### II. It is foolish to forsake our responsibilities. (1:3)
1. Running from God is fleeing from the presence of the Lord.
2. Running from God leads us deeper and deeper into rebellion.
### III. Our failure to be obedient to God does not excuse us from our responsibilities. (1:4-17)
1. God will pursue us. (1:4)
2. Running from God leads to chaos. (1:5-13)
a. We often initially ignore the chaos that we cause.
b. We cause chaos in the lives of others.
3. It is not enough to simply acknowledge our rebellion. (1:7-9)
a. Don’t wait until you get caught to confess.
b. Don’t be too obstinate to repent.
4. God desires that we turn to Him. (1:14-16)
### IV. Running from God does not negate His compassion for us. (1:17)
Don’t underestimate the power of God to work a miracle in your life.
### Practical Application:
1. We must acknowledge our God-given responsibilities.
2. We must not flee from our God-given responsibilities.
3. We must own up to our God-given responsibilities.
4. We must acknowledge God’s compassionate love for us.
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## <center>**Chapter 2**</center><center>**“A Prayer of Thanksgiving”**</center>
Chapter Theme: The Lord delights in a grateful heart.
A sincere prayer of thanksgiving erupts when:
### **I. We acknowledge God in our distress. (2:1-5)**
1. Difficulties allow us to re-focus on God.
2. Sometimes God takes us to the core of who we are.
3. We are never too far away from God.
### **II. We experience the salvation of the Lord. (2:6)**
1. A distressful life is an imprisoned life.
2. A distressful life needs a Savior.
## **III. We resolve to be obedient to God. (2:7-10)**
1. A distressful heart is a step away from a prayerful heart. (2:7)
2. A prayerful heart is a step away from a grateful heart. (2:8-9)
3. God is moved by grateful heart. (2:10)
## Practical Application:
1. We can pray to God from anywhere.
2. We all need a Savior.
3. We should respond to God’s mercy with praise and thanksgiving.
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## <center>**Chapter 3**</center><center>**“God Gives Second Chances”**</center>
Chapter Theme: God gives second chances.
### **I. When God gives you a second chance, take it! (3:1-4)**
1. We are significant to God.
2. Get going.
3. Be obedient.
### **II. When God gives others a second chance, rejoice in it! (3:5-9)**
1. Our enemies are significant to God.
2. Second chances often lead to repentance.
3. Salvation is extended to those we think may least deserve it.
### **III. Second chances allow us to experience God’s character. (3:10)**
1. God is paying attention to us.
2. God is merciful.
3. God is free to act as He wishes.
### **Practical Application:**
1. Respond to God’s second chances with active obedience.
2. Be willing to be an instrument of God’s grace to anyone.
3. Do not underestimate the attention, mercy, and justice of God.
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## <center>**Chapter 4**</center><center>**“The Compassion of a Caring God”**</center>
Chapter Theme: God is concerned for all of His creation.
### **I. Our response to God’s mercy to our enemies says a lot about us. (4:1-4)**
1. Prideful anger is not righteous anger. (4:1)
2. It is vain to resist the character of God. (4:2)
3. It is vain to quarrel with God. (4:3-4)
### **II. God loves us even when we pout. (4:5-8)**
1. Don’t pout when you’re angry. (4:5)
2. Even when we pout as a little child, God loves us as parents love their children. (4:6)
3. The discipline of God is an expression of His love for us. (4:7-8)
### **III. God loves our enemies even when they sin. (4:9-11)**
1. Care for what really matters. (4:9-10)
2. Be compassionate towards those who have no understanding. (4:11)
### **Practical Application:**
1. When your pride is hurt, do not be angry at God.
2. Demonstrate a God-like attitude.
3. Have a compassionate attitude towards all people.
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*I hope you have been blessed by this study of the themes and life lessons of Jonah. Your comments are welcome.*
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