Jonah

1. Write one paragraph explaining the historical background and purpose of the prophet.

There is some argument about who actually wrote the book of Jonah, but I would vowge for it being Jonah himself. It would be kind of harsh for someone to bash a well-known, favored man amongst the people by publicly displaying His worst and the texts is very emotionally driven so it seems to be from a personal perspective.

Jonah probably takes place between 785 and 750 BC during the reign of Jeroboam II (King of Israel). We don't gather much about the people it was written to from textual evidence, but from the story it's likely that the writer was trying to show the importance of simple obedience and removing of pride.

2. What does this book show you about the character and nature of God?

From the text we see that God is not limited by boundaries, He rules over the entire universe and Jonah's attempt to “escape from the Lord” (1:3) proved meaningless because God 'found' him on the sea (1:4). We see that God redeems and saves others even in the midst of our selfish sin. Because Jonah fled by boat and the storm was so violent the sailors ended up crying out to God for mercy and when the storm ceased abruptly after throwing Jonah into the sea they “were awestruck by the Lord's great power, and they offered him a sacrifce and vowed to serve Him.”

He is persistent in us carrying out His will; after Jonah repented He asked him a second time to go to Nineveh (3:1). And He is merciful and changes His mind upon seeing repentance (3:10). And when Jonah replies in selfish anger because of the Lord's blessing on Nineveh we see that God puts him in his place and says that He feels sorry and has pity on a city so lost and full of sin (4:11).

3. What does this book show about God's redemptive plan for mankind?

I think the big picture redemption in this book is that God is the God of Nineveh, too. And He still uses a stubborn and obstinate, self-focused man to bring about His plan. And in the process saves some sailors, too (1:4). Sitting in class I wrote this in response to the reading- “God is the God of Nineveh, too. Stories about the vileness of Nineveh would have been spread around and passed down from generation, especially within the Israelites. This story shows the Israelites that yes, they have been chosen, but other nations have been chosen as well and they are to love all people. God is their God, but He's the God of all the other nations, too. It's as if God's saying, “Israel! You ddi a bunch of crap, too! And ALL sin is detestable in my sight. Their sin is no greater than yours. I have compassion on them. I saved you from your junk- and you've seen my hand at work and the redemption that I have for you. Are you so selfish so as to not want others to experience the same freedom you have received? My mercy is for all people!”

His grace and mercy isn't limited to one people group or our understanding and “knowledge” of who should and shouldn't receive it.

4. Personal Application

Personal application? Stay humble and simply obedient. Do not be full of selfish ambition, my own personal understanding or my own desires. Always obey; He doesn't care how stupid it looks or seems, what He's looking for is a heart that loves Him and says yes.
Looking at this story I see that we are God's vessels, when we choose to follow Him we choose to lay down our own understandings and logic and follow His commands with simple obedience regardless of whether or not we “know” the outcome. His plans are bigger than our understandings and His redemption is more vast than we could ever think.

Recently I've fallen to my own logic and decisions rather than being obedient to what the Lord had spoken. I don't always trust Him- a Soverign Lord. But He, in His grace, always puts me back on the right track. After Jonah repented, the Lord's grace abounded and he still used him. But he showed him his place in the grand scheme of things. He exposed selfishness and pride in an act of compassion and love and the Lord rebuked and exposed a heart posture that doesn't line up with His character and desire for us.

Jonah “knew” what God was going to do and he had a fear of the people so he ran. Simiarly to Jonah I “knew” what God was going to do so I jumped ahead instead of heading His instruction. Like Jonah's pride and selfishness were exposed, my lack of trust, selfishness and pride were exposed.

But thankfully for grace He overwhelmed me with love as true repentance and humility came out and though I don't feel like the situation can be redeemed He reminds me that He's so much bigger than my mistakes and failures. He still orchestrates and shows His power. So I wait in humility and praise of who He is and how miniscule I am in the big, grand scheme, but I also sit in awe of His extravagant love and mercy. I look like a fool to all of those watching from the outside because of my continual back and forth junk but it comes because I doubted His word and didn't hold fast to what He said. So my pride takes a hit and there's an increase of humility and “Yeah, I messed up... and I look like a blubbering fool to those around me, but I'm loved by a King who knows the weakness of my humanity and loves me just the same.”

He teaches, corrects and lovingly disciplines us to a place of greater understanding of His character.