Jonah

TEXT: Jonah 1-3

OBJECTIVE

The students will be able to explain the danger of refusing to obey the commands of God. They will learn that it was only the divine mercy and forbearance of God extended to Jonah which preserved his life and gave him another opportunity to do as the Lord instructed.

REFERENCE INFORMATION

Jonah, the son of Amittai, was of the village of Gathhepher, a town on the border of Zebulun, not far from Nazareth. Jonah (also called Jonas) was a prophet of Israel (2 Kings 14:25), sent to warn the people of Nineveh, a capital of the Assyrian empire or world empire for three hundred years. It had absorbed and destroyed the northern kingdom of Israel, and took tribute of Israel. Thus Jonah was called of God to preach unto an enemy nation to prolong the life of the enemy which was destroying his own nation. The Lord used Jonah to foretell the recovery of territory lost to Israel because of their idolatry, and under the reign of Jeroboam II this came to pass.

It was nearly two hundred years before Nineveh was eventually overthrown.

QUESTIONS

Why would a prophet like Jonah, who had been called by the Lord, suddenly want to flee from his duty and from the presence of the Lord? We find that the man who runs from the Lord runs into trouble every time.

1. Jonah was a prophet of God, called to preach to the people of Nineveh. Consider the fact that Nineveh was a political enemy. How might this have affected Jonah’s thinking?
   
   Response: Possibly Jonah reasoned that he wanted an enemy destroyed. After all, if Nineveh repented they would no longer be a threat to Israel’s national security. Whatever his reasoning, it was not a valid excuse for not answering the call of God or for not obeying Him in any matter. See Proverbs 24:17-18.
   
2. How do we know that God was displeased with Jonah when he refused to go to Nineveh?
   
   Response: God’s displeasure was indicated by the events which happened to Jonah. Discussion should bring out that the way of a transgressor is hard. Trouble came to Jonah as the Lord sought to bring him to the point of obedience. Ask your students to enumerate ways people may attempt to alleviate the problems they face when they disobey God.
   
3. Inasmuch as Jonah was running from God, how do you suppose he could go to the lower part of the ship and sleep, apparently oblivious to the storm? What behavioral patterns of people in today’s society reflect the same kind of attempt to escape from God’s call?
   
   Response: Jonah was likely trying to quiet the consciousness of his disobedience. The question should cause the student to see that many times people will try to ignore their guilt or seek insensitivity to their sins. They may do this through alcohol, drug abuse, or simply by refusing to heed the voice of their conscience until the Spirit of God no longer strives with them. However, insensitivity does not bring about security. Just ignoring our responsibility does not make it go away.
   
4. Which verse in our text shows the turning point in Jonah’s attitude? Explain.
   
   Response: Even though we have no record of Jonah’s praying until he was in the fish’s belly, in verse 12 of the first chapter he acknowledges his guilt and confesses that he is the one who brought the trouble upon them. Discuss with your class why coming to a realization of guilt and admitting it, is a necessary step in turning to God. See 1 John 1:9.
   
5. What were Jonah’s feelings in the belly of the fish regarding his own spiritual condition? How did he react on this occasion?
   
   Response: He felt that he was in Hell. Godly sorrow is brought about by Holy Ghost conviction. Jonah saw himself as God saw him and began to act in conformance to God’s will, asking for mercy. Discuss with your class the fact that even though Jonah had admitted his guilt, he still needed to ask God for mercy and forgiveness.
   
6. When Jonah prayed, the Lord heard his prayer. What was the result?
   
   Response: The result of Jonah’s prayer was the intervention of God. God spoke to the fish and caused it to vomit Jonah onto the dry ground. Then God called Jonah a second time, giving him another opportunity to obey and go to Nineveh. Discuss with your class the fact that God’s call does not change. Jonah’s attitude was what changed—he became willing. God uses and blesses the efforts of those who are willing and pliable in His hand.
   
7. What was the message which Jonah delivered to Nineveh? What were the results?
   
   Response: The message was, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.” This was a message of judgment, but the people repented and were saved from destruction. The students should draw the conclusion that God is giving men and women the same warning today. Judgment is coming, and “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:5).
   
8. The truth of this account is challenged by many. Find a New Testament Scripture which confirms the story of Jonah as an actual happening.
   
   Response: Some Scriptures which verify this account are Matthew 12:40-41; 16:4; Luke 11:29-30,32. These are all Jesus’ words and there can be no greater authority.

CLASS ACTIVITIES

With your class, make a list of things that we can do for the Lord at home, at school, at play, or at work. Have the students circle one that they will try to work on this week and report the results next week. Ask them to think about Jonah. Are we willing to do what God asks or will we be like Jonah and try to run away from the task?

Have students do a skit on Jonah showing obedience to God is far better than going our own way. Have one student be Jonah. Make a cardboard whale. Rock it back and forth showing how seasick Jonah must have been. Have Jonah behind the whale praying to God as a narrator reads, “And the Lord spake unto the fish,” etc. When Jonah gets to Nineveh, have him shout, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.” Another student as the king should give the order to the people, ending with, “Who can tell if God will turn,” etc. (Jonah 3:9). Then have the narrator read “And God saw their works,” etc.

Has anyone ever told you a story that sounded “fishy,” not quite true? Try this True and Fishy test on your class.
____ Jonah was told by God to go to Nineveh.
____ Jonah did what God said without delay.
____ Jonah sailed on a cabin cruiser to Nineveh.
____ The storm stopped when Jonah was thrown into a lake.
____ A great fish swallowed Jonah.
____ Jonah prayed while he was inside the fish.
____ Jonah was inside the fish for two days and three nights.
____ Jonah preached to Nineveh after the fish spit him out onto dry land.
____ The people of Nineveh repented and God destroyed them.