Why did God have the book of Jonah written?

1
Why did God have the book of Jonah written?

• There were lessons for both the Jews of old and
  for Christians today. (Rom 154)

2
Why did God have the book of Jonah written?

• (Romans 154 NKJV) For whatever things were
  written before were written for our learning,
  that we through the patience and comfort of the
  Scriptures might have hope.

3
Why did God have the book of Jonah written?

• Have you ever thought of an individual or a race
  of people as being beyond redemption?

4
Why did God have the book of Jonah written?

• Have you ever thought of an individual or a race
  of people as being beyond redemption?
• Often we have such a confidence in our "wisdom"
  that we fight God.

5
Why did God have the book of Jonah written?

• Have you ever thought of an individual or a race
  of people as being beyond redemption?
• Often we have such a confidence in our "wisdom"
  that we fight God.
• In the book of Jonah we learn some important
  lessons about God.

6
Why did God have the book of Jonah written?

• Have you ever thought of an individual or a race
  of people as being beyond redemption?
• Often we have such a confidence in our "wisdom"
  that we fight God.
• In the book of Jonah we learn some important
  lessons about God.
• As Christians we must come to think like God! (2
  Cor 105)

7
Why did God have the book of Jonah written?

• (2 Corinthians 105 NKJV) casting down
  arguments and every high thing that exalts itself
  against the knowledge of God, bringing every
  thought into captivity to the obedience of
  Christ,

8
Why did God have the book of Jonah written?

• The same problem within Jonah is faced by
  Christians today.

9
Background of the book of Jonah

• Who was Jonah?

10
Background of the book of Jonah

• Who was Jonah?
• Jonah's name means, "dove." He was the one to
  make peace between the heathen city of Nineveh
  and God.

11
Background of the book of Jonah

• Who was Jonah?
• Jonah's name means, "dove." He was the one to
  make peace between the heathen city of Nineveh
  and God.
• Jonah lived about the time of Jeroboam II (II
  Kings 1423-25).

12
Background of the book of Jonah

• (2 Kings 1423-25 NKJV) In the fifteenth year
  of Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah,
  Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, became
  king in Samaria, and reigned forty-one years.
  24 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD he
  did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the
  son of Nebat, who had made Israel sin.

13
Background of the book of Jonah

• 25 He restored the territory of Israel from the
  entrance of Hamath to the Sea of the Arabah,
  according to the word of the LORD God of Israel,
  which He had spoken through His servant Jonah the
  son of Amittai, the prophet who was from Gath
  Hepher.

14
Background of the book of Jonah

• Lived in Gathhepher about 20 miles north of Joppa.

15
Background of the book of Jonah

• Lived in Gathhepher about 20 miles north of
  Joppa.
• He was a truly zealous prophet for God. He wants
  all nations who refuse the Lord to be destroyed.

16
Background of the book of Jonah

• What do we know about Nineveh? (Jonah 12)

17
Background of the book of Jonah

• (Jonah 12 NKJV) Arise, go to Nineveh, that
  great city, and cry out against it for their
  wickedness has come up before Me.

18
Background of the book of Jonah

• This is one of the oldest cities in history.

19
Background of the book of Jonah

• This is one of the oldest cities in history.
• This city was mentioned shortly after flood (Gen
  108-12).

20
Background of the book of Jonah

• (Genesis 108-12 NKJV) Cush begot Nimrod he
  began to be a mighty one on the earth. 9 He was
  a mighty hunter before the LORD therefore it is
  said, Like Nimrod the mighty hunter before the
  LORD. 10 And the beginning of his kingdom was
  Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of
  Shinar.

21
Background of the book of Jonah

• 11 From that land he went to Assyria and built
  Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah, 12 and Resen
  between Nineveh and Calah (that is the principal
  city).

22
Background of the book of Jonah

• Nineveh was located on the Tigris River.

23
Background of the book of Jonah

• Nineveh was located on the Tigris River.
• It was approximately 8 miles in circumference.
  The walls enclosed 1800 acres of land.

24
Background of the book of Jonah

• Nineveh was located on the Tigris River.
• It was approximately 8 miles in circumference.
  The walls enclosed 1800 acres of land.
• Hence, it was three days' journey around the city
  (Jonah 33)!

25
Background of the book of Jonah

• (Jonah 33 NKJV) So Jonah arose and went to
  Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now
  Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a
  three-day journey in extent.

26
Background of the book of Jonah

• At this time it was the capital of Assyria.

27
Background of the book of Jonah

• At this time it was the capital of Assyria.
• Nineveh was known for its wickedness and cruelty
  of its people.

28
Background of the book of Jonah

• It was called "the Robber city" because it
  overran and robbed other countries to make itself
  rich.

29
Some lessons about God

• He is concerned for all men.

30
Some lessons about God

• He is concerned for all men.
• How could God show concern for such a wicked
  people? He did! (Jonah 11-2)

31
Some lessons about God

• (Jonah 11-2 NKJV) Now the word of the LORD
  came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2
  Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry
  out against it for their wickedness has come up
  before Me.

32
Some lessons about God

• How did God view these people? (Jonah 411)

33
Some lessons about God

• Jonah 411 (NKJV) - And should I not pity
  Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than
  one hundred and twenty thousand persons who
  cannot discern between their right hand and their
  leftand much livestock?

34
Some lessons about God

• Do we have the mind of Christ concerning the
  gospel and the wicked? (2 Pt 39 Mk 634 2 Tim
  224-26)

35
Some lessons about God

• (Mark 634 NKJV) And Jesus, when He came out,
  saw a great multitude and was moved with
  compassion for them, because they were like sheep
  not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them
  many things.

36
Some lessons about God

• (2 Timothy 224-26 NKJV) And a servant of the
  Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able
  to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting
  those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will
  grant them repentance, so that they may know the
  truth, 26 and that they may come to their
  senses and escape the snare of the devil, having
  been taken captive by him to do his will.

37
Some lessons about God

• (2 Peter 39 NKJV) The Lord is not slack
  concerning His promise, as some count slackness,
  but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that
  any should perish but that all should come to
  repentance.

38
Some lessons about God

• He is able to accomplish His purpose.

39
Some lessons about God

• He is able to accomplish His purpose.
• God wanted him to go. Would you have questioned
  the wisdom of this? (Jonah 13)

40
Some lessons about God

• (Jonah 13 NKJV) But Jonah arose to flee to
  Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went
  down to Joppa, and found a ship going to
  Tarshish so he paid the fare, and went down into
  it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence
  of the LORD.

41
Some lessons about God

• Unlike Jonah, God does not directly make us aware
  of when a door of opportunity opens in the life
  of an individual. Still we are to teach all men.
  (Mt 2818-19)

42
Some lessons about God

• (Matthew 2818-19 NKJV) And Jesus came and
  spoke to them, saying, All authority has been
  given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go
  therefore and make disciples of all the nations,
  baptizing them in the name of the Father and of
  the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

43
Some lessons about God

• Are we ready for the opportunity of the open
  door. (Esther 414-15)

44
Some lessons about God

• (Esther 414-15 NKJV) For if you remain
  completely silent at this time, relief and
  deliverance will arise for the Jews from another
  place, but you and your fathers house will
  perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to
  the kingdom for such a time as this? 15 Then
  Esther told them to reply to Mordecai

45
Some lessons about God

• He is no respecter of persons. (Acts 1034-35)

46
Some lessons about God

• (Acts 1034-35 NKJV) Then Peter opened his
  mouth and said In truth I perceive that God
  shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation
  whoever fears Him and works righteousness is
  accepted by Him.

47
Some lessons about God

• What would God do if they repented? (Jonah 310)

48
Some lessons about God

• (Jonah 310 NKJV) Then God saw their works,
  that they turned from their evil way and God
  relented from the disaster that He had said He
  would bring upon them, and He did not do it.

49
Some lessons about God

• Do we think that God will allow us to go to
  heaven if we do any less? (Mt 1241)

50
Some lessons about God

• (Matthew 1241 NKJV) The men of Nineveh will
  rise up in the judgment with this generation and
  condemn it, because they repented at the
  preaching of Jonah and indeed a greater than
  Jonah is here.

51
Some lessons Jonah learned

• You cannot hide from God.

52
Some lessons Jonah learned

• You cannot hide from God.
• Jonah was one who allowed his emotions to
  overcome him. He knew this in his heart, but he
  ran anyway. (Jonah 13 21-3)

53
Some lessons Jonah learned

• (Jonah 13 NKJV) But Jonah arose to flee to
  Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went
  down to Joppa, and found a ship going to
  Tarshish so he paid the fare, and went down into
  it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence
  of the LORD.

54
Some lessons Jonah learned

• (Jonah 21-3 NKJV) Then Jonah prayed to the
  LORD his God from the fishs belly. 2 And he
  said I cried out to the LORD because of my
  affliction, And He answered me. Out of the belly
  of Sheol I cried, And You heard my voice. 3 For
  You cast me into the deep, Into the heart of the
  seas, And the floods surrounded me All Your
  billows

55
Some lessons Jonah learned

• Listen carefully to this verse. (Psa 1391-10)

56
Some lessons Jonah learned

• (Psalms 1391-10 NKJV) O LORD, You have
  searched me and known me. 2 You know my sitting
  down and my rising up You understand my thought
  afar off. 3 You comprehend my path and my lying
  down, And are acquainted with all my ways. 4
  For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold,
  O LORD, You know it altogether.

57
Some lessons Jonah learned

• 5 You have hedged me behind and before, And
  laid Your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too
  wonderful for me It is high, I cannot attain it.
  7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can
  I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend into
  heaven, You are there If I make my bed in hell,
  behold, You are there.

58
Some lessons Jonah learned

• 9 If I take the wings of the morning, And
  dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10
  Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your
  right hand shall hold me.

59
Some lessons Jonah learned

• There in no place in the universe where we can
  run from God. (At work with non-Christians, on a
  date, filling out taxes, on vacation.)

60
Some lessons Jonah learned

• There in no place in the universe where we can
  run from God. (At work with non-Christians, on a
  date, filling out taxes, on vacation.)
• We cannot even run from Him in our imaginations!

61
Some lessons Jonah learned

• There is a great power in prayer

62
Some lessons Jonah learned

• There is a great power in prayer
• Jonah knew the character of God and pleaded with
  God on that basis. (Jonah 21, 7-9)

63
Some lessons Jonah learned

• (Jonah 21 NKJV) Then Jonah prayed to the LORD
  his God from the fishs belly.

64
Some lessons Jonah learned

• (Jonah 27-9 NKJV) When my soul fainted within
  me, I remembered the LORD And my prayer went up
  to You, Into Your holy temple. 8 Those who
  regard worthless idols Forsake their own Mercy.
  9 But I will sacrifice to You With the voice of
  thanksgiving I will pay what I have vowed.
  Salvation is of the LORD.

65
Some lessons Jonah learned

• Jonah is honest with God in his prayer. (Jonah
  42-3)

66
Some lessons Jonah learned

• (Jonah 42-3 NKJV) So he prayed to the LORD,
  and said, Ah, LORD, was not this what I said
  when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled
  previously to Tarshish for I know that You are a
  gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and
  abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from
  doing harm. 3 Therefore now, O LORD, please
  take my life from me, for it is better for me to
  die than to live!

67
Some lessons Jonah learned

• Some may say things in prayer and not mean it.
  (Ex. What a great opportunity to be herebut
  often forsake the assembly.)

68
Some lessons Jonah learned

• Some may say things in prayer and not mean it.
  (Ex. What a great opportunity to be herebut
  often forsake the assembly.)
• If you have a bad attitude, tell God about it. He
  can help!

69
Some lessons Jonah learned

• Some may say things in prayer and not mean it.
  (Ex. What a great opportunity to be herebut
  often forsake the assembly.)
• If you have a bad attitude, tell God about it. He
  can help!
• Jonah knew the power of preaching God's word.

70
Some lessons Jonah learned

• He knew that God's word would do its work. (Jonah
  13 Heb 412-13)

71
Some lessons Jonah learned

• (Hebrews 412-13 NKJV) For the word of God is
  living and powerful, and sharper than any
  two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of
  soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is
  a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the
  heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from
  His sight, but all things are naked and open to
  the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

72
Some lessons Jonah learned

• He knew that direct, courageous preaching is the
  only way to teach! (Jonah 33-4)

73
Some lessons Jonah learned

• (Jonah 33-4 NKJV) So Jonah arose and went to
  Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now
  Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a
  three-day journey in extent. 4 And Jonah began
  to enter the city on the first days walk. Then
  he cried out and said, Yet forty days, and
  Nineveh shall be overthrown!

74
Some lessons Jonah learned

• Jonah left the results up to God. Many today try
  to hold back and use their "wisdom" to change His
  word. This will not give God's results. (1 Cor
  36-7)

75
Some lessons Jonah learned

• (1 Corinthians 36-7 NKJV) I planted, Apollos
  watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then
  neither he who plants is anything, nor he who
  waters, but God who gives the increase.

76
Some lessons Jonah learned

• Jonah learned that country must not be more
  important than souls. (Mt 1626)

77
Some lessons Jonah learned

• (Matthew 1626 NKJV) For what profit is it to
  a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his
  own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for
  his soul?

78
Some lessons Jonah learned

• Jonah learned of the crippling power of
  self-pity. (Jonah 43,8)

79
Some lessons Jonah learned

• (Jonah 43 NKJV) Therefore now, O LORD, please
  take my life from me, for it is better for me to
  die than to live!

80
Some lessons Jonah learned

• (Jonah 48 NKJV) And it happened, when the sun
  arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind
  and the sun beat on Jonahs head, so that he grew
  faint. Then he wished death for himself, and
  said, It is better for me to die than to live.

81
Some lessons Jonah learned

• Jonah learned to see things as God does. (Jonah
  46-11)

82
Some lessons Jonah learned

• (Jonah 46-11 NKJV) And the LORD God prepared a
  plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it
  might be shade for his head to deliver him from
  his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the
  plant. 7 But as morning dawned the next day God
  prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that
  it withered.

83
Some lessons Jonah learned

• 8 And it happened, when the sun arose, that God
  prepared a vehement east wind and the sun beat
  on Jonahs head, so that he grew faint. Then he
  wished death for himself, and said, It is better
  for me to die than to live. 9 Then God said to
  Jonah, Is it right for you to be angry about the
  plant? And he said, It is right for me to be
  angry, even to death!

84
Some lessons Jonah learned

• 10 But the LORD said, You have had pity on the
  plant for which you have not labored, nor made it
  grow, which came up in a night and perished in a
  night. 11 And should I not pity Nineveh, that
  great city, in which are more than one hundred
  and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern
  between their right hand and their left and much
  livestock?

85
God can use men in spite of their weakness.

• Consider the weaknesses of Abraham, Peter, and
  Jonah.

86
God can use men in spite of their weakness.

• Consider the weaknesses of Abraham, Peter, and
  Jonah.
• These men had some good traits in common.

87
God can use men in spite of their weakness.

• Consider the weaknesses of Abraham, Peter, and
  Jonah.
• These men had some good traits in common.
• They acknowledged their weaknesses.

88
God can use men in spite of their weakness.

• Consider the weaknesses of Abraham, Peter, and
  Jonah.
• These men had some good traits in common.
• They acknowledged their weaknesses.
• They were honest. (Lk 815 KJV)

89
God can use men in spite of their weakness.

• Consider the weaknesses of Abraham, Peter, and
  Jonah.
• These men had some good traits in common.
• They acknowledged their weaknesses.
• They were honest. (Lk 815 KJV)
• They were willing to repent.

90
God can use men in spite of their weakness.

• All of us have some weaknesses. (1 Jn 110-21)

91
God can use men in spite of their weakness.

• (1 John 110 NKJV) If we say that we have not
  sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not
  in us.

92
God can use men in spite of their weakness.

• (1 John 21 NKJV) My little children, these
  things I write to you, so that you may not sin.
  And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the
  Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

93
God can use men in spite of their weakness.

• God can still accomplish His will through you.

94
God can use men in spite of their weakness.

• God can still accomplish His will through you.
• Can you be humble, honest and penitent?

95
God can use men in spite of their weakness.

• God can still accomplish His will through you.
• Can you be humble, honest and penitent?
• Some have the false concept that you are either
  perfect or a hypocrite.

96
God can use men in spite of their weakness.

• God can still accomplish His will through you.
• Can you be humble, honest and penitent?
• Some have the false concept that you are either
  perfect or a hypocrite.
• What have you learned from Jonah?