Journey Through the Minor Prophets, Part 1Sample

Intro

Nicole introduces this lesson on Jonah, the prophet who ends up in the belly of a big fish. This book is a serious story about God’s offer of repentance to a Gentile nation—and to his prophetic messenger.

Jonah: In the Text

Jonah understands that the God of Israel is a God of mercy, but he thinks that mercy is limited to the people of Israel. The story ends with a startling contrast between God’s heart and Jonah’s.

A Symbol for Jonah

Our symbol for Jonah is a dove inside a fish. We all know that Jonah is swallowed by a great fish, but you may not know that his name means “dove.” His name’s association with a bird hints at the irony and comedy of the book. While we are familiar with birds eating fish in nature, the story reverses things. A fish eats a bird.

This reversal is one of many reversals in Jonah. Jonah will go the opposite way he is commanded to go, but that too is reversed. He preaches judgment, but the Ninevites receive mercy.

From inside the fish, the “dove” (Jonah) prayed to the LORD his God. He said:

In my distress I called to the LORD,

and he answered me.

From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help,

and you listened to my cry.

You hurled me into the depths,

into the very heart of the seas,

and the currents swirled about me;

all your waves and breakers

swept over me.

Jonah 2:1-3 (NIV)

What’s the Point of Jonah?