JONAH
AN EXAMPLE OF WASTED OPPORTUNITY
Jonah is first mentioned in the Bible in 2nd Kings 14:25. He was the son of a prophet by the name of Amittai. He was a native of Galilee who hated the Assyrians. Ninevah, was a great and powerful city of the Assyrians.
Jonah is referred to in the Books of Matthew ( 12:38 ) and Luke (11:29) when Jesus is challenged by the Scribes to produce a sign proving who He was.
- The Book of Jonah is viewed by some as mythical.
- Others see it as an allegorical approach to Jewish history.
- While others accept it as a literal-historical event. (This is my view.)
Jonah heard from God.
Wasn't what he wanted to hear.
B. Jonah disobeyed God's instructions.
Turns his back on God.
Boards a ship to Tarshish.
Jeopardizes the lives of the sailors. (A disobedient child of God always causes trouble for everyone around them.)
C. Jonah prayed for God's help.
Trouble is always a good prayer motivator.
D. Jonah proclaimed God's judgement.
He was a reluctant preacher.
His sermon was only 8 words in length. (Oh, for a return to the days of Jonah!)
The message changed a city.
E. Jonah became angry at God's mercy.
Sits outside the city to view it's spectacular destruction.
God mercifully causes a plant to spring up to shade Jonah from the scorching sun.
God creates a worm to destroy the plant.
F. Jonah cried to die. His anger made him irrational.
His self-centered attitude caused him to miss the glory of the miracle.
His self-righteous ego emboldened his argument against God.
G. Nothing further is heard of Jonah, except in reference.
What possibilities did he miss?
What great ministry did he throw away?
The book closes with a comparison between Jonah's concern (his feelings and his comfort) and the concern of God (the salvation of the people.)