For it begins with a commission to jonah and with jonah s refusal to heed it, in other words, the book of jonah begins with a formal expression of gods sovereign will and with a mans determined opposition. In this 7session bible study, priscilla redefines interruption and shows that. The title of the book is the name of the main character, jonah. Jonah shows us that god has a way of bringing us to the place where we want what he wants. God sent jonah to preach to nineveh, the capital city of israels prime enemy, assyria. The book of jonah demonstrates the sovereignty of the almighty as he employs his creation to accomplish the divine plan.
Feb 26, 2020 a study of the book of jonah jason burns. Jonahs experiences form the main contents and purpose of the book. The prophetic significance of this book not only lies in the short message in nineveh but also in the entire history of jonah described in his book. Jonah, whose name means dove, lived in gathhepher, located just north of nazareth, during the reign of jeroboam ii in the. The book of jonah is more than just a delightful story for children. Jonah studies questions for four sessions 3 session 4 jonah and the new testament 1. The book of jonah is narrative history and a prophetic oracle.
Unfortunately, many christians thoughtlessly cast aspersions upon this. The story of a fish swallowing a man and the man living sounds impossible, and since most liberal scholars deny the possibility of the supernatural, they reject the book of jonah as anything but a fairy tale. Jonah 1 inductive bible study with questions for small groups. Mar 16, 2019 written by the prophet jonah, son of amittai, around 785760 b. The book is replete with irony, wherein much of its humor lies. Jonah said he feared the lord and was honest about his story jonah allowed himself to be cast into the sea jonah called out to god during the three days and three nights in the belly of the fish jonah 2. What parallels can you discern between the actions and attitudes of the characters in the book of jonah including god, and the actions and attitudes of the characters in jesus parable of the. The essentials here are jehovah and jonah god and manthat is what the book is all about. He knows the lord has been faithful to the israelites and to him as an individual. These past few months i have been doing the jonah bible study from priscilla shirer with my good friend ana. Well have it back up and running as soon as possible. In the new testament, no other old testament prophet is named by jesus more than the prophet jonah. Navigating a life interrupted dvd leader kit by priscilla shirer.
The foundational source for the book was likely jonah s own telling of the story after his return from nineveh. Book of jonah lesson 1 welcome to the study of the book of jonah. The book of jonah is about an event that jesus said took place in history. The name jonah means dove in hebrew, but jonah s character is anything but dovelike. The book of jonah may be studied for many reasons, but a chief reason is for what it teaches about gods sovereignty. Sovereignty is a problem for some christians in certain areas. Written by the prophet jonah, son of amittai, around 785760 b. Sleeping christians like to hide out among the church jonah slept in a place where he could not help with the work that needed to be done.
Intro to jonah biblica the international bible society. Jonah understands the lords character, his merciful history. The condition of his soul, and gods loving discipline of him, instruct and humble the reader. Now the word of the lord came to jonah the son of amittai. Jonah therefore is the only prophet of the ot revealing the grace of god towards the heathen.
Through some supernatural events, god convinced him to obey and carry out the lords plan. Navigating a life interrupted bible study book by priscilla shirer provides a personal study experience five days a week, leader helps, and viewer guides for the group video sessions of this indepth womens bible study. Apr 12, 2016 watch our overview video on the book of jonah, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Jonah chapter 2 bible study and verses study and obey. For example, most of us do not have problems with gods rule in the area of natural law. Introduction jonah is one of the most ridiculed books by liberal scholars. Study scripture verses with commentary, concordances, and use highlighting, underlining, take notes in the bible.
Learn about jonah and, more importantly, how jonah points toward christ, with these study helps. Jonah with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. The book of jonah is a subversive story about a rebellious prophet who despises his god for loving his enemies. At the end of the day, god is less concerned with what we do for him than who we are in him. The book of jonah, written primarily in the third person, does not explicitly name the prophet as the author of his own account, but we have no reason to doubt either the inspiration or the historical veracity of the book. Go to nineveh, the great city, and proclaim to them that their wickedness has forced itself upon me. The book of jonah focuses on gods mercy toward a foreign people and the reluctant prophet he sent to them. The purpose of the book of jonah is to show gods people that his plan is exceedingly compassionate god is gracious and exceedingly certain god is sovereign. Jonah is commanded to go east to nineveh but flees toward the westernmost possible point, only to be swallowed by a great fish and dumped back at this starting point 2. Here are 10 valuable lessons gleaned from jonahs encounter with the great fish and the. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app.
Jonahis not literal historyit is not a short story but an allegory, similar to the parables of jesus. Not to mention i did an old testament survey on him as well. Study guide for jonah 2 by david guzik blue letter bible. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of jonah in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork. I have learned 5 keys from the life of jonah that i want to share with you. T he book of jonah is an old testament story which tells about how the prophet jonah refused to follow the lord. One way that might be helpful is to use a dramatised reading. The title of the studysalvation belongs to the lordcomes directly from jonah 2. This old testament book describes at least part of the ministry of a prophet called jonah, the only prophet who attempted to run away from god. Deals with principles for successfully handling the resources that god has given into our lives.
When we left jonah at the end of chapter one it is fair to say he was in a slightly sticky situation. A fiveweek study through the story of the old testament prophet jonah. The lord had given a specific great fish a new task swallow jonah. Conservative scholars place the writing of the book of jonah before 745. While jonah eventually did what he was asked to do, the book closes with showing jonah as a.
The incidentals in the book of jonah are the fish, the gourd, the east wind, the boat, and even the city of nineveh. Full text in english of the book of jonah my jewish. Please read our guideline on how to lead a bible study before starting. The foundational source for the book was likely jonahs own telling of the story after his return from nineveh. Jonah is identified as a prophet and servant of god during the reign of king jeroboam ii of israel 2 kings 14. Jonah studies questions for four sessions anglican communion.
Despite the universal recognition of jonah as the man swallowed alive by a giant fish, few christians truly understand the storys details and spiritual meaning. Few figures illustrate that truth better than jonah. The bible study book includes leader helps, personal study resources to be completed between small group meetings, and exercises to equip you post study. The disobedience of the prophet jonahs missionary call. Jonah is commanded to go east to nineveh but flees toward the westernmost possible point 1. The audience of the book of jonah was the people of israel and all future readers of the bible and, typically, prophets issued warnings or gave instructions to the people of israel. Jonah also teaches gods love for his servants, even those who are hesitant to do his will. The book of jonah recounts real events in the life and ministry of the prophet himself. Jonah is the book of the bible which perhaps has been criticized more than any other.
Book of jonah overview insight for living ministries. Book of jonah is the answer to those critics who claim that the old testament presents a local and limited deity, a tribal deity. Because of his disobedience, god sent a storm so great that it caused even seasoned sailors to be afraid, but jonah was asleep, and unaware of the storm. The man jonah was the main character of the book, he was the son of amittai jonah 1. In 12 weeks, this study guides readers through 3 prophetic books to see the goodness, mercy, and faithfulness of the. Have you ever found yourself wanting to turn and run away rather. Jonah is not literal historyit is not a short story but an allegory, similar to the parables of jesus. Many critics however want to lower the book of jonah to an allegory, a parable or a legend because of the miracles described in it especially the appearing of the great fish devouring jonah. That is what this study of jonah is about to help you gain the heart of god. The holy bible book 44 acts kjv dramatized audio duration.
The book of jonah is a subversive story about a rebellious prophet who. What happens when god wants a person to do something, but the person doesnt want to do it. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly bible studies to share with family and friends. It is a well known story for obvious reasons, not least of which are a disobedient prophet, an obedient fish and a wicked nation that starts out bad, yet ends up good. Outline for the purposes of this study, we will divide jonah into seven scenes. Study guide for jonah 1 by david guzik blue letter bible. Many have questioned whether the book of jonah is historical. He went down to joppa, where he found a ship bound for. Conservative scholars place the writing of the book of jonah before 745 b. Jonah went at once to nineveh in accordance with the lords command. Visit our library of inductive bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the bible you can use in your small group. Jonah 1 new international version niv jonah flees from the lord. The only prophetic message that jonah announced was the one about the coming judgment over nineveh jonah 1.
Raymond calkins in his book, the modern message of the minor prophets, writes. Key personalities include jonah, the captain and the ships crew and the people of nineveh. Unfortunately, many christians thoughtlessly cast aspersions upon this important book in the canon of scripture without realizing that they are playing into the hands of the critics and innocently becoming the dupes of the skeptics. It might be helpful to begin these studies by hearing the whole of the book of jonah read in one go. The book of jonah is a great book on missions and has a world vision. The essentials here are jehovah and jonahgod and manthat is what the book is all about. The book of jonah is unique among the books of the prophets. Summarygod told jonah to go to ninevah and warn them of gods wrath, due to their wickedness.
Jonah studies questions for four sessions 4 dramatised text of the book of jonah narrator the word of yahweh was addressed to jonah son of amittai. Navigating a life interrupted bible study book by priscilla shirer. This course examines the events of the book of jonah, with an eye toward its ultimate prophetic significance. The book is anonymous, and there are no indicators elsewhere in scripture to identify the author. Sleeping christians stay away from the work of the lord jonah slept while there was a prayer meeting up on the deck.
The nwt study bible is complete with cross references, maps, and an accurate bible dictionary. Jonah was an unwilling prophet given an assignment which he found displeasing. He chose to flee away from god rather than obey him. Through satire and compelling storytelling, the book of jonah reveals to readers why god is compassionate to evildoers in the past and present age today. Navigating a life interrupted member book by priscilla shirer provides a personal study experience five days a week, leader helps, and viewer guides for the group video sessions of this indepth womens bible study. The purpose of this book is to show that god is a merciful and gracious god. Jonah slept in a place where he hoped no one would see him or disturb him. The book of jonah the book is unique in that it is more concerned with the prophet himself than with his prophecy. This bible study book is designed to be paired with teaching videos from priscilla. Literary characteristics unlike most other prophetic parts of the ot, this book is a narrative account of a single prophetic mission. Interestingly enough, this is the point at which the book starts. Dive into an intriguing tale of mercy in the book of jonah. While we wont board a boat to flee halfway across the world like the old.
Date since jonah prophesied during the reign of jeroboam ii 782753. The supposed legendary character of some of the events e. Jonah niv jonah flees from the lord the word of bible. This 7session study from bestselling author priscilla shirer is perfect for individuals and small groups. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required.
Nineveh was an enormously large city a three days walk across. Jonah started out and made his way into the city the distance of one days walk, and proclaimed. Book of jonah read, study bible verses online bible study tools. Questions for discussion jonah the living word library. While jonah eventually did what he was asked to do, the book closes with showing jonah as a bitter man. Focused on the prophet rather than his prophecy, the story of jonah gives us a picture of a man on the run due to his own selfish desires. Home bible studies the book of jonah questions for discussion jonah. The book ends with jonah brooding over nineveh, angry with god for the grace he gave to the people jonah so despises. Instead of showing mercy to his enemies, he determined to keep gods grace to himself rather than share it with. The name jonah means dove in hebrew, but jonahs character is anything but dovelike. Narrator jonah set about running away from yahweh, and going to tarshish. Calkins, on page 168 of his book, illustrates this with his list of allegorical meanings. Home bible studies jonah studies jonah 2 these small group studies of jonah extensive crossreferences, bible study discussion questions, lessons to learn, and applications.
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