A Study of Jonah, Chapt. 1

Amazing how there is so much in just four chapters.

Jonah was a really interesting, yet reluctant profit.  He was stubborn, bull headed and jealous.   His last recorded words to God were "I'm so angry I wish I were dead."  He was angry that God spared Ninevah with 120,000 people, after they repented.  What a guy!

Jonah means "Dove".  Israel is referred to, in several places, as God's Dove.  We can derive that Jonah represents Israel's jealousy of God's relationship with Gentiles; in this case, Ninevah (which means "Offspring's Habitation").  Let me reassure anyone in doubt that God has enough wealth, love, grace and mercy for all His children - just in case you were wondering.

This little book by a minor prophet is only 4 short chapters, with 40 verses.  The number forty represents trial.  Of these verses, 8 are a prayer stating Jonah's turn of attitude after being swallowed by a huge fish.

In chapter one, we observe Nineveh was the capitol of Syria (Gen 10:11) on the east bank of the Tigris River.  Pop: 120,000

We can also observe the ups and downs: "down to Joppa", "storm arose", "below deck", "lay down", "pick me up".  We can relate this to the ups and downs of sea waves and/or the ups and downs of life along with the ups and downs of the emotions in this little book.

Ninevites were descendants of Noah's son Ham (his name means "Dark").  Since the three sons of Noah populated the earth, I believe the people of Nineveh were dark skinned.

Verse three: we read of Jonah paying fare to ride on a cargo ship.  I understand this was not custom in those days and Jonah's fare would have been high.  Moral: we have to pay when we go against the will of God.

The word "sea" which often refers to the world, in the Bible, is an interesting topic of meditation in this book.  We can get the reference of God's grace to Gentiles all over the world (not just Nineveh).

Verse 5 tells us the sailors are Gentiles and follow their own gods.

In V.7, we see the sailors casting lots for an answer (refer to Pro.16:33) and they were following other gods.  And, recognizing yet another God, Jonah's.  When people follow a god other than the one true God, one is never enough to satisfy.

Verse eight is one place in the New Testament that the word "please" is omitted from original Greek text:  "Please tell us, who is responsible . . ".

Verse nine is funny to me.  Here, Jonah is bragging about being a Hebrew who worships the God of heaven - yet, he is running away from this God he brags about.  He does not want to do the bidding of the God he worships.  Does he really believe that he can hide from his mighty God?  Others have tried.  He really is a very interesting character.

In verse 11, they asked Jonah what they should do to him.  They knew he was the reason for the stormy sea.  He told them twice that God was chasing him (v.10).  Good ol' Jonah told them to pitch him into the sea.

Now we see these sailors as honorable men.  They tried to row back to land to keep from sending Jonah to "Davey Jone's Locker".  Then, they cried out to Jonah's God, not their gods.  They have become believers thru this ordeal.  Out of desperation from the storm increasing, they threw Jonah overboard.  The sea got calm (immediately) and they made vows to God.  Such vows were generally in the form of promises to help the poor.

Metaphor:  God's dove, Israel, (Jonah) tries to flee to the world (the sea) to get away from God's bidding.  God allows them to suffer trial (the storm) until they are ready to submit (thrown overboard).   As soon as Israel submits (thrown overboard) God relents and stops their torment (storm).  This is the history of the Hebrew people over and over throughout history.  Far fetched metaphor?  Maybe.  Interesting comparison?  Definitely!

Come back for Chapt. 2

Amen