I had a party yesterday.
I sulked, would not talk to anyone, hid away, did not bathe or get dressed, took a long nap and sighed, "Oh God". Any of you ever have a party like this?
Things were not going the way I wanted, as fast as I wanted. I did not sleep well the night before and blamed everyone in the house for it, including the cat. When you are sleep deprived, everything seems worse. It was a cloudy day, cold, windy and snowing - that did not help. I had thought I would get out to run errands but just did not want to in that messy weather. You notice the smallest issue: the dog is barking at the dog that is barking 4 blocks away, the house is a mess, the doctor did not return my phone call and my husband didn't wring out the dishrag - again. No matter he is busy hanging wallpaper for me, he never wrings out the dishrag.
A few doors were slammed, conversation was ignored and I had a good cry in the bathroom - which all went unnoticed. Which made it worse: nobody cares! I took my car keys and left without a word to anyone about where I was going or when I would be back. I didn't even dress; went out in my "jammy jeans" and house slippers (in the cold snow). When
I left the house, I told myself I would go to my friends and cheer her
up. The
best thing for self pity is to do something for someone
else and take your mind off yourself. That is what I told myself I was going to do. That's what I told myself. I knew she was also in the middle of some personal issues and misery loves company. In my subconscious, I was dying to tell her how the universe was being so unfair to me. Boo hoo! I drove to her house and the two of us had an intimate pity party. We discussed everything wrong in our lives at that moment and ended up laughing about it all. Ain't friends great !?
Today the sun is out, I had a good nights sleep and got in some exercise. Today, it is clear to me that yesterday was a pity party for myself and I even shared it with a friend. Today, I am reminded of Jonah who had a pity party after God made him go to Nineveh to warn people he did not think deserved a second chance. He sat down under a tree, by himself and whined to God who was exercising his graceful mercy to these people. Jonah 4:11
I am also reminded of Elijah (who's name actually means, "Yahweh is Grace"), as he fled the threats of Jezebel in IKings 19. He had a great pity party. Elijah had just killed all the false prophets and torn down idols (a great story in IKings 18). How soon Elijah forgot this all happened by the hand of God. Elijah knew God did this great work through him, but did not consider that God could save him from Jezebel.
A pity party can serve us as a lesson from God. We need to find more faith in the one who created time and space. We have to get going when the going is tough. The sun comes out tomorrow. There is always sun behind the clouds. God is in His heaven and loves us as individuals.
Let us not forget the amazing story of Job. After he got over his pity party, God restored everything to him PLUS.
Let Job be this lesson: when we accept our circumstances, God gets involved. Nothing is accomplished as long as we are partying on our own and whining about our situation. Let's face it, having God involved is much better than not.
A pity party is a total waste of time and effort. It is absolute self absorption and accomplishes nothing. No one wants to come to our party.
It does give the enemy reason to celebrate. He is happy to see us unhappy with, and doubting God. Score one for the enemy of heaven when I have a pity party.
In my defense, I will say it is the first in a long time. Once I shake it off, I usually come back like a warrior; ready to do whatever it takes to be right with God. I have apologized to my Heavenly Father and I can always hope that is the last one - just like the last time I hosted one. We are all a work in progress and God is waiting to forgive us - again. Thanks to God, we get a little better each time.
Amen
Three, the perfect number.
In Hebrew, the number three is represented by the third letter of that alphabet: gimel, which loosely resembles a backward "L". This letter is represented by a camel and means to lift up, pride and/or benefit.
There is so much about this number and so many mentions of this number in the Bible that I am going to single out and list, in summary form, just a few:
3 days Moses traveled with the arc of the covenant, Nu 10:33
3 cities of refuge, Nu 35:14
3 days Joshua camped before crossing into Jordan
3 times Samson lied to Delilah, Jgs 16:15
3 times each year Solomon made sacrifice to the Lord at the alter he had built for the lord, I Kings 9:25
David's choice in I Chron 21:12 involves 3 options;
Two riddles are given in Prbs 30:15 and 18, using the number 3
3 times a day Daniel prayed, Dan 6:10
3 days Jesus was missing before being found in the temple
3 is the number of the God Head
There were 3 women at the well
Jesus was 3 days in the grave
After He died, there were 3 hours of darkness
3 women came to the tomb
3 times Peter denied Christ
3 times Jesus told Peter, "Feed/shepherd my lambs/sheep"
There were 3 disciples at the Mt. of Configuration
There were 3 crosses
There were 3 nails used to hang Jesus
At 3 pm each day was the temple sacrifice
At 3 pm Jesus gave up His spirit
3 parts of man: spirit, body and soul
3 parts of the planet: sky, earth and sea
Noah had 3 sons to replenish the earth
3 young men were thrown into the fiery furnace
Jonah was 3 days in the big fish
And there are many, many more uses. A concordance is an interesting tool for further research.
Themes of the first 3 chapters of Genesis are reflected in the last 3 chapters of Revelation.
The third section of Psalm 119, v.17-24, represents the pride of the writer as he brags of his accomplishments.
The book of Revelation is dominated with the number seven, but you can find several references to thee number 3:
3 woes to Babylon
3 hallelujahs to Babylon's fall
3 angels
3 measures of barley
3 unclean spirits
. . . and more.
Do you see any connection with any of the numbers in situations I have listed? I won't tell you of any in this posting.
It is a fascinating journey any time you want to study a number in the Bible. God's word, imparted by the Holy Spirit to human hands to write in divine order.
Amen
Great chapter. I find so much humor in it. Great writer! (This book is commonly attributed to Jonah himself.) He had his faults but he knew how to build the story to a climax and entertain at the same time. (I am a great movie buff and this would make a tremendous movie without deviation from fact.)
In the blog about Chapter 1, I mentioned all the ups and downs in this little prophetic book. Well, Chapter 4 is no different.
In the first verse, Jonah is mad - again. In the second verse, he tells God, I told you so. In verse three, he is so angry and frustrated over God's mercy that he wants to die. In today's world, revenge is a common cry. Jonah hated the people of Nineveh more than his own life. There is the possibility that Jonah was afraid, if Nineveh was spared, they would again turn on Israel. He was jealous that God could spare those who had oppressed his people. Do we see this hate and fear in the middle east today? Did Jesus see this depth of hate at the cross?
Verse 4 is God's answer to Jonah. Hebrew text reads, "Is it right for you to be grieved to death?" God expects us to understand his grace and mercy. He expects us to reflect His gracious attitude in our lives. (Jonah's blood pressure must have been sky high.) God knows that when we exert negative emotions we can only hurt ourselves. There is no peace for Jonah at this point.
Verse 5 says Jonah was waiting to see what would happen to the city. Did he think he might have changed God's mind? Did he think God would care more for his feelings than the entire city of Nineveh? Verse 6: God's is understanding of Jonah and shows him compassion by providing shade. Indeed, a miracle was done with the plant growing up immediately. This made Jonah happy. Well, I guess: shade from the very hot sun of that middle eastern climate. I would be very happy.
Here comes the lesson: We all go through these lessons from our loving father in heaven when we need correcting - just like a caring earthly father. That is why God caused the plant to die. This, of course, put Jonah back into another bad mood. Do you see the frustration here? Do you see the humor of God? Jonah was so mad and God is giving him a trial; taunting him in order to teach him a lesson. When you were growing up, did your parent ever do this to you? (My grandfather did it a lot. A little salt in the wound to drive a point home.) Again, Jonah says he wants to die rather than to live like this: mad, jealous, spiteful, hot, tired, frustrated and not being able to manipulate God to do what he wanted. He was a pouting child.
Jonah is more worried about loosing his shade than the death of an entire city. This back and forth conversation between God and Jonah shows God's tolerance. He could have let Jonah die but God had a purpose for Jonah. After all, he had not yet written this great book.
In verses 10 and 11 God makes his point plain to Jonah. Jonah was given the plant for shade - without working for it. (God does spoil His children.) There were 120,000 people, plus animals, in the great city of Nineveh that Jonah wanted dead. People with lives, feelings, families, friends, jobs and futures. God was trying to explain that Jonah was wrong to have this hatred and jealousy to other human beings.
I also see that this lesson worked and Jonah eventually came to a greater understanding of himself or he could not have penned this story from a impartial perspective. Reach out to God, trust His grace and you will sail the calm sea of peace in your life.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> * * * <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Our lessons:
1. God's word is final
2. God knows best
3. God is an amazing teacher
4. It is good to obey God before He has to teach us a lesson
5. God's grace is for all His children/creation
* Note about the number 120 (120,000 population): This number represents the end of law (the end of human effort) which is replaced by grace. We clearly see God's grace extended to the people of Nineveh who in the past have condemned God's people.
I am sure there is more in this amazing little book that I have yet to discover. The Bible is so full of subtle, under the surface, messages that it awaits our seeking them out.
Seek and you will find.
Amen
Today, we come to Chapter 3 of Jonah and find him ready to follow God's will; albeit reluctantly.
Israel had been at war and plundered by the Assyrians for years. Jonah wanted God's wrath on them, so he didn't want them to repent. The wonderful thing here is how Jonah was so aware that God is truly merciful. He was sure the Assyrian city of Nineveh would NOT suffer God's judgment. He knew better (by now) than to argue with God so he went ahead reluctantly.
How many times in our lives do we find ourselves in Jonah's place? How often do we want to do what we know will go against God's will and we do it anyway? Paul put it so well when he said: that which I know I should not do, that I do. That which I know I should do, that I do not. Or, something to that effect. Our lives are a constant battle of our flesh against our spirit. We "shame on" Jonah when we should take a lesson here. God is our Father in Heaven and we really are His spoiled children wanting our way and pouting when we don't get it. So often we do not understand that all His ways for us are only for our benefit in the long run. We lack faith.
For a second time, Jonah was told what to do. (Our Father God is patient) Verse three says he obeyed - period.
In verse 4 his stubbornness is rearing it's ugly head again, already. Nineveh is so large it takes three days to walk across the city. Jonah went into the city one day's walk. This is not even half way. Logically speaking, he should have gone at least 1 1/2 day's walk to get to the center of population to deliver his message. Just like a child to go just an inch short of what they are told to do.
As fast as he proclaimed destruction of Nineveh, all citizens repented - even the king. The king even sent out a formal decree ordering fasting, repentance and prayer. His decree not only ordered repentance but showed belief in the existence and power in the God of the Hebrew people - along with the authority of Jonah as God's prophet.
Last verse, 10 reveals, again, the great mercy of God.
A second connection between Jonah and Jesus occurs (ie: the grave in 2:17): the Pharisees in John 7:52, state that "no prophet arises out of Galilee". II Kings 14:2 states that Jonah was from Gath-hepher, a town in Galilee that sits between the Sea of Galilee and Mt. Carmel.
Jonah is referenced 13 times in the New Testament.
God sent a prophet to people who had oppressed His chosen people, to ask them to repent so He could show his amazing mercy (Heb: hesed). They did. In God's great mercy, the entire city of previous idol worshiping oppressors was saved.
It is a great thing that God does not think like we do.
Amen
This chapter starts by stating that the LORD (I will write on LORD, Lord, Hashem and Yahweh at another time.) provided a huge fish (NIV) to swallow Jonah. My Hebrew translation makes it clear it is NOT a whale. Young's Literal Translation says big fish. I have heard speculation that it was some sort of prehistoric sea creature or a creature God created just for this purpose. I don't believe this detail is important or text would be more specific. We can assume it was a large animal that lived in the sea. We are also told he was in the "fish" three days and three nights. Mt 12:40 relates this story of Jonah to the time Jesus would lie in the earthen tomb.
(By the way, science has found live animals in the belly of whales. Whether it was a whale, fish or a sea monster, this story rings true.)
Verses 2 - 9 Jonah prayed to God. We read Jonah praising God for His greatness. Again, acknowledging his God as powerful. In verse 4, he speaks of being alive on dry land again. We can assume Jonah was aware that God meant to save him since he was swallowed whole/alive as opposed to being chewed up into bite size morsels. He verbally reminded God, and himself, of the might, power and mercy of God. Sometimes we need to hear what we believe out loud; sometimes we need to pray out loud. He ends his prayer with the promise of loud praise and a sacrifice. Then, he makes a vow to proclaim God's salvation.
The second half of verse 6 could refer to God's merciful plan that saves us from hell (the pit). In the same way verse 7 could be likened to a person coming to the end of their struggles in life to acknowledge Jesus as their savior.
In verse 8 Jonah speaks against idol worshipers. He could be referring to Gentiles in general, the sailors of the ship or the Ninevites.
(If read just the right way, this prayer can sound like a con job. However, you cannot con a God who can read your heart.) Jonah obviously had some sort of relationship with God for such a heartfelt prayer. The prayer is honorable and shows great awe and humility. He has definitely repented to do God's will.
He was in the belly of a fish but he knew God would spare him (V.4). (Jesus knew when in the tomb, that His Father would not abandon Him.) There certainly was something special about this man that God chose him for a special task. Of course he had flaws (stubborn, jealous, argumentative) but this only reminds us that God uses flawed people so His presence is obvious through His miracles.
Then, just as the Lord commanded the storm to stop and it did (immediately), He now commanded the fish to spew Jonah onto dry land and the fish did - without hesitation.
I have read commentaries that state this book is just a fairy tale of sorts to entertain us albeit with or without a point. I say everything in this book is possible and factual. Put that together with Rev. 19:10 which emphatically states ". . . it is the spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.". It is explained very emphatically from original Greek text: "For the substance, essence of the truth revealed by Jesus is the spirit of all prophecy, the vital breath, the inspiration of all inspired preaching and interpretation of the divine will and purpose of God." Jonah is known as a prophet. The Holy Spirit of the God Head authored the Bible.
We are now at the end of chapter two and I want to point out seven (7) miracles in these two chapters that were performed by the hand of God. Seven is the number of completion and the task of convincing Jonah to do what he was told is completed.
The miracles I speak of are: the great wind that came up on the sea, the casting of lots (by Gentiles) that God answered, the sea growing calm immediately, the great fish that came along just as Jonah went overboard, remaining alive in the fish for three days, being vomited up from the fish and doing it on dry land.
Behold the mighty hand of God !
Amen
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
Let us not forget the amazing story of Job. After he got over his pity party, God restored everything to him PLUS.
