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Whenever possible it’s good to enrich your understanding of a portion of the Bible by comparing it with another portion. In thinking about the life of Jonah I was reminded of the life of the older brother of the prodigal son. You read about him in Luke cha...

Given the attitude and actions Jonah exhibits throughout his book it’s somewhat surprising to read about his clear understanding of the nature of God and his attributes. Listen to what he says, “I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to...

When reading Jonah 4 it’s clear that Jonah’s agenda was to see the people of Nineveh, wiped off the face of the earth. Everything he experienced was put through and evaluated by that grid. Even when he acquiesced to God’s agenda he wanted it to somehow ful...

Most of us have an agenda as we face opportunities or obstacles in life. Sometimes they are hidden agendas, even to ourselves. God’s primary agenda is to seek and to save that which is lost. You see this throughout the Bible and human history. What is your...

When doing a study of a given portion of God’s word never think you have finished the study until you have crystallized your thoughts into some applications to your own life. As a result of my study of Jonah 3 I came away with a number of personal applicat...

In Psalm 110:4 it says, “The Lord … will not change his mind.” Yet in Jonah 3 it says that God would destroy Nineveh in forty days. Then later on it says He had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction He had threatened. In the King Jam...

By the time you get into chapter 3 in the book of Jonah he had already repented and cried out to God for deliverance and restoration. When given a second chance to serve God he received the word of the Lord again: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and procl...

It is helpful sometimes in studying the Bible to use a simple study approach where you try to answer six basic questions: Who? What? Why? Where? When? And How? If you used this approach while studying the 3rd chapter of Jonah you would answer the Who quest...

Reading the book of Jonah is like being on a roller-coaster. Chapter 1 finds Jonah receiving the word of the Lord, but choosing to rebel against it and run away from God and his assignment from God. The tragic consequences were felt by Jonah and everyone a...

An impact statement you find in Jonah 2:9 surfaces throughout the Bible: “Salvation comes from the Lord!” That’s not a hard truth to memorize. Grab hold of it. Never let it go. Remind yourself often of this simple, yet profound impact statement – “Sa...

Have you ever been in a situation where you felt there was no way out? Every alternative seemed bad, except, except if there was a God who in sovereign grace could make a way. What would you do if you were in that kind of circumstance? Probably what Jonah ...

Jonah’s experience described in his Old Testament book illustrates for the reader insights into why we might react as we do in certain situations. At the point of his most desperate condition, while in the belly of the great fish, certain convictions began...

The prophet Jonah was a rebel at heart, but in chapter 2 of his book he describes the prayer of faith as the only antidote to fatalism and folly. To study this chapter let’s use what I call the 4S or 4 step approach to Bible study. Start by spreading out a...

We can sure get ourselves into a mess when we resist God’s Word. But God knows how to get us out of the mess we create. The process is often painful as God extricates us and gets us ready for re-deployment. Jonah is a great example of this process. To set ...

The book of Jonah, chapter 1, starts by saying, “The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: ‘Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.’” From that point on in chapter 1 you find nothing abo...

We’ve been looking at Jonah, chapter 1.  What a fascinating story. Jonah was a reluctant, and then, a rebellious prophet.  While trying to run from God he’s with some terrified pagan sailors on a ship in a stormy sea.  Casting lots to find out who is respo...

In the book of Jonah, chapter 1, we found that Jonah received the Word of God.  We also saw how Jonah rejected the Word of God and in essence rejected God and was trying to run away from Him. In the process of running from God he was confronted by the sail...

In recent visits we’ve looked at the book of Jonah in the Old Testament.  We identified the focus of the book as being mobilized to minister.  Unfortunately, as God was seeking to mobilize Jonah, chapter one says he rebelled against the Word of God that ca...

A tragic truth found in the Bible is that when we reject God’s Word, which in essence is rejecting God, there are bitter consequences.  Those consequences impact not only us but also those around us. We see this as we amplify the focus of the book of Jonah...

When you read the book of Jonah in the Old Testament it’s clear that God wanted to mobilize Jonah for ministry – that’s the focus of the book.  But Jonah temporarily thwarted God’s plan when he rejected the word he received from God. Notice how this point ...

When reading the book of Jonah in the Old Testament it’s clear that God had some great plans to use Jonah in the city of Nineveh.  The focus of the book is, Mobilized to Minister.  Let’s continue our study to see how this focus is amplified. When the word ...

Have you ever wondered after making a decision, what the outcome might have been had you decided to do something different?  I have many times.  I’ve faced critical decisions which, had I decided a different course than I did, would have changed my life si...

In our last visit we began a study of Jonah.  After reading the Old Testament book of Jonah a few times I determined the focus of the book was: Jonah, Mobilized to Minister.  With that focus in mind I meditated on the material some more. I thought the focu...

One of the most fascinating prophetical books in the Old Testament is Jonah.  There are those who question its historicity, but Jesus refers to it in Matthew 12 as being historical.  That settles the question for me. As you read it, try getting into Jonah’...

The book of Revelation closes in chapter 22 with a repeated promise by Jesus, “Behold, I am coming soon!” Verse 7 says, “Behold I am coming soon.  Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.”  In verse 12 Jesus’ promise is followed with...