Bible Study Notes
Community with a Mission: Jonah 1:1-3
& 3:1-9 – Part II
Jonah 1:1-3 –
Balancing Self-Determination and Passive Aggression
Jonah demonstrates a mystery in which opposite characteristics can
exist in the same personality. He
possesses defiance and willfulness as he proactively disregards the divine
order to go to Nineveh and proclaim the word of the Lord. On the contrary, the prophet displays weakness
in his method of avoidance by going on vacation. Nevertheless, God sets apart this “reluctant
missionary” for His distinct purpose of saving the Ninevites. Battling these warring characteristics of
self-determination and passive aggression, Jonah evades the situation
initially. Soon he falls into the hands
of an angry and jealous God who will not tolerate humankind’s insult of His
character and will.
Jonah 3:1-4 – “The God of a Second Chance”
The second portion of this passage reveals the obedience of the
Ninevites who did not know Almighty God as Jonah does. Prior to their remarkable feat of repentance
and humility, the disgruntled and prideful prophet finally finds internal willingness
to obey. Conceivably, Jonah accedes to God’s
commands in gratitude for the Lord’s mercy and grace in releasing him from the
depths of darkness. The text states
plainly “Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time.” I imagine Jonah’s imprisonment in the belly
of the whale affords time to reconsider his stubbornness. He probably does not change his outlook upon
the worth of the Ninevites. Yet, in
appreciation for God’s gracious offer of a second chance, Jonah ends his
internal strife and balances his self-centered motives with the necessity of
following a loving God who is kind enough to free him from perpetual darkness to
see a new day again.
Jonah’s experience models the power of redemption for us. It is never too late to begin serving God
with our heart, mind, soul and strength.
We can begin today to reverse the course of our lives. We can change our focus and priorities. We can start each day with the intent of
making Almighty God our “Ultimate Concern.”
Everything else pales in comparison to the majesty and magnificence of
living peacefully and joyously in the perfect will of God.
Look at Jonah’s instantaneous success!
On the first day of adhering to God’s call, he achieves a national
revival. Interestingly, Jonah preaches
one of the shortest sermons in the Bible and perhaps in the history of
preaching. In response to the warning of
annihilation within the next forty days, “the Ninevites believe God.” “From the greatest to the least,” the whole
nation adorns sackcloth and participates in a fast. They grieve over their sins and deny their
natural appetites. Essentially, the
spiritual practice of self-denial enables us to more clearly receive divine
revelation. When you are chomping on a
double cheeseburger, fries and an apple pie while drinking a soda rarely are
you thinking about your spiritual condition.
Remarkably, Jonah’s message awakens the entire country despite their
socio-economic status; the rich as well as the poor demonstrate faith in God by
mourning, contrition, repentance and self-restraint. Imagine a revival in contemporary America
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