Chapter 4

The Story Of Jonah (Chapters 1-3)

The Story Of Jonah (Chapters 1-3)

• God calls the prophet to go and preach to the wicked city of Nineveh.

The Story Of Jonah (Chapters 1-3)

• God calls the prophet to go and preach to the wicked city of Nineveh.

• Jonah refuses and gets on a boat headed in the opposite direction.

The Story Of Jonah (Chapters 1-3)

• God calls the prophet to go and preach to the wicked city of Nineveh.

• Jonah refuses and gets on a boat headed in the opposite direction.

• To change Jonah’s mind, God sends a storm that threatens the boat and its crew – the sailors reluctantly throw Jonah into the sea.

The Story Of Jonah (Chapters 1-3)

• God calls the prophet to go and preach to the wicked city of Nineveh.

• Jonah refuses and gets on a boat headed in the opposite direction.

• To change Jonah’s mind, God sends a storm that threatens the boat and its crew – the sailors reluctantly throw Jonah into the sea.

• God mercifully sends a great fish to swallow Jonah, sparing his life.

The Story Of Jonah (Chapters 1-3)

• Jonah repents and is delivered from the belly of the fish.

The Story Of Jonah (Chapters 1-3)

• Jonah repents and is delivered from the belly of the fish.

• God again calls Jonah to go and preach to Nineveh – this time the prophet obeys.

The Story Of Jonah (Chapters 1-3)

• Jonah repents and is delivered from the belly of the fish.

• God again calls Jonah to go and preach to Nineveh – this time the prophet obeys.

• Upon hearing the prophet’s message, the city of Nineveh repents of its wickedness and God spares it from destruction.

Jonah 4:1-4

Jonah 4:1-4

• The prophet’s original motive for rebelling against God is finally revealed (v. 2).

Jonah 4:1-4

• The prophet’s original motive for rebelling against God is finally revealed (v. 2).

• Jonah actually seems to use scripture in an attempt to justify his disobedience (Ex. 34; Num. 14; Neh. 9; Ps. 86, 103, 145; Joel 2).

Jonah 4:1-4

• The prophet’s original motive for rebelling against God is finally revealed (v. 2).

• Jonah actually seems to use scripture in an attempt to justify his disobedience (Ex. 34; Num. 14; Neh. 9; Ps. 86, 103, 145; Joel 2).

• The problem is not due to a lack of knowledge about God – Jonah knows God’s character, but he does not like it.

Jonah 4:1-4

• Jonah’s attitude demonstrates the essence of idolatry – trying to make God conform to the way we want Him to be.

Jonah 4:1-4

• Jonah’s attitude demonstrates the essence of idolatry – trying to make God conform to the way we want Him to be.

• We cannot expect God to be merciful to us, but then to withhold mercy from others (Mt. 5:7; Mt. 18:21-35).

Jonah 4:5-8

Jonah 4:5-8

• God appoints a plant, a worm, and a wind in order to teach Jonah a lesson.

Jonah 4:5-8

• God appoints a plant, a worm, and a wind in order to teach Jonah a lesson.

• As long as he is comfortable, Jonah is “extremely happy.” As soon as he becomes uncomfortable, he gets angry and complains.

Jonah 4:5-8

• God appoints a plant, a worm, and a wind in order to teach Jonah a lesson.

• As long as he is comfortable, Jonah is “extremely happy.” As soon as he becomes uncomfortable, he gets angry and complains.

• Jonah shows greater concern for selfish comforts than for the souls in Nineveh.

Jonah 4:5-8

• God appoints a plant, a worm, and a wind in order to teach Jonah a lesson.

• As long as he is comfortable, Jonah is “extremely happy.” As soon as he becomes uncomfortable, he gets angry and complains.

• Jonah shows greater concern for selfish comforts than for the souls in Nineveh.

• Nineveh forsakes its comforts to pursue God, so God gives it comfort. Jonah forsakes God to pursue his comfort, so God takes it away.

Jonah 4:9-11

Jonah 4:9-11

• Jonah’s compassion is lacking because his perspective is lacking.

Jonah 4:9-11

• Jonah’s compassion is lacking because his perspective is lacking.

• Technically speaking, Jonah obeys God, but his heart does not match God’s heart.

Psalm 51:16-17 (NRSV)

“For you have no delight in sacrifice; if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”

Hosea 6:6 (ESV)

“For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”

Amos 5:21-24 (NASB)

“I hate, I reject your festivals, nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them; and I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fatlings. Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”

Micah 6:6-8 (NASB)

“With what shall I come to the Lord and bow myself before the God on high? Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, with yearling calves? Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, in ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Jonah 4:9-11

• Jonah’s compassion is lacking because his perspective is lacking.

• Technically speaking, Jonah obeys God, but his heart does not match God’s heart.

• We cannot “repent” simply to avoid trouble, then go back to the way we were before.

Jonah 4:9-11

• “Should I not have compassion on Nineveh?”

Jonah 4:9-11

• “Should I not have compassion on Duluth?”

Jonah 4:9-11

• “Should I not have compassion on Duluth?”

Jonah 4:9-11

• “Should I not have compassion on Duluth?”

Jonah 4:9-11

• “Should I not have compassion on Duluth?”