Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the book of Jonah, although they are a bit better formatted than former efforts. I felt a great sense of urgency to publish them rather than waiting until I had the time to pretty them up. Thank you and I pray that God blesses and encourages you through this material. I’m not sure of the condition of the world at the time of this publication. But at the time of its writing, spring 2010, things are looking increasingly bleak with the economy, health care and unemployment, there is a renewal and increase of racism, and godly principles of living being disregarded, there are floods in India, earthquake and tsunami in Samoa. Are these the first stages of birth pains? The last? God only knows. And He is very busy these days. Seek His wisdom. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming to deliver His people and judge the wicked…Stacey
Take a few minutes to pray and savor chapter 3 of the book of Jonah. Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the questions, and be sure to leave comments about your own revelations…
3 – Jonah experienced forgiveness, but didn’t want Nineveh to be forgiven.
Jonah desired mercy for himself, but justice for Nineveh.
3:1 – The Lord gave Jonah a second chance.
He does the same for us. When was the last time He did it for you?
3:3 – Jonah immediately went where he was told. Jonah’s immediate response offers evidence that we can be changed by prayer.
3:4 – One day’s walk – Jonah was 1/3 of the way through the city. Why do you think he waited to start proclaiming God’s message? What would you have done? Apparently, Nineveh wasn’t that large, but it was so metropolitan that it would have taken 3 days to see everything.
FYI…Archaeologists have unearthed the wall around Nineveh. It is only 8 miles long!
3:5 – This mass conversion didn’t last forever. See Nahum 3:1-19 to read a prophecy against Nineveh 100 years after Jonah was sent to them and this mass conversion took place.
3:8 – evil way of living and violence – get other references to Nineveh that may provide more insight.
3:10 – God changed His mind. When Nineveh responded to the warning favorably, God rescinded the punishment. Nineveh’s repentance relieved God’s anger. When we repent, His anger is assuaged, too.
• The book of Jonah shows how hatred can cloud our thoughts and keep us from obeying God. How have you seen God’s love at work in this chapter of scripture to break down those and other barriers, and how will you apply it to your life this week?
• What attributes of God do you see in this book?
• What verse of scripture seemed to be God speaking directly to you? What is He teaching you in these verses? How does He want you to respond?
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