Week 1- Jonah Chapter 1

As we begin to study the , it’s important that we take the time to properly establish the context of this story. Doing so will help us rightly understand and apply the word of the Lord to our lives. The questions below are given as a guide to help us to think through each passage and lead our weekly discussions. Set aside some time each week to read the Scripture, answer the corresponding questions, and consider the application section. Our prayer is that God will use this study in a mighty way as He works in and through us.

Jonah 1:1-3 ESV ​ ​ ​ ​ “Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 “Arise, go to , that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.” 3 But Jonah rose to flee to from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD.”

- How is Jonah identified in verse 1? What do we know about Jonah from the rest of Scripture (:25)?

- What does the Lord tell Jonah to do? What do we learn about Nineveh in verse 2? What else do we know about Nineveh (Genesis 10:8-11, :3, 4:11)?

- How does Jonah respond to the Lord’s call? Where is Tarshish in relation to Nineveh?

- Numerous times in verse 3, we see that Jonah went to Tarshish to flee from the presence of the Lord. Is this even possible (Psalm 139:7-10)? Wouldn’t Jonah have known this (:9)? If so, why was Jonah trying to get away from God? What does this teach us about the nature of sinful rebellion?

- Why was Jonah so opposed to going to Nineveh (Jonah 3:10-4:2)? What does this teach us about Jonah?

Jonah 1:4-6 ESV ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ “But the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up. 5 Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep. 6 So the captain came and said to him, “What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish.””

- How does God respond to Jonah’s rebellion? What do verses 4 & 5 teach us about the severity of the storm?

- How do the mariners react to the storm? What do we learn about their religious beliefs from these verses?

- Meanwhile, where is Jonah and what is he doing? How can he sleep in a time like this? What might this communicate about Jonah’s current mental state?

- What does the captain entreat Jonah to do? How do we see great irony in this?

Jonah 1:7-10 ESV ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ “And they said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. 8 Then they said to him, “Tell us on whose account this evil has come upon us. What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?” 9 And he said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” 10 Then the men were exceedingly afraid and said to him, “What is this that you have done!” For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.”

​​ - What do the mariners decide to do in verse 7? What is the outcome?

- Is it simply a coincidence that the lot fell on Jonah? What do we learn about God through this circumstance (Proverbs 16:33)?

- When the lot reveals Jonah to be the cause of the storm, the mariners obviously have a few questions for him. How does Jonah respond to their questions? Does he answer them fully?

- How does Jonah describe God in verse 9? How does this explain the men’s reaction?

Jonah 1:11-17 ESV ​ ​ ​ “Then they said to him, “What shall we do to you, that the sea may quiet down for us?” For the sea grew more and more tempestuous. 12 He said to them, “Pick me up and hurl me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you, for I know it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you.” 13 Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they could not, for the sea grew more and more tempestuous against them. 14 Therefore they called out to the LORD, “O LORD, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not on us innocent blood, for you, O LORD, have done as it pleased you.” 15 So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. 16 Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows. 17 And the LORD appointed a great to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.”

​ - What do the men ask Jonah in verse 11? What is their concern?

- How does Jonah respond to the men’s question in verse 12? How does he know what will happen when they throw him overboard? How does Jonah know that he is the cause of this storm (Jonah 1:7)? What does Jonah resolve himself to here (:3-5)?

- How do the men respond to Jonah in verse 13? Why were they unable to get back to land (Jonah 1:9, 4)?

- Who do the men call out to in verse 14? Why is this significant (Jonah 1:5-6)?

- What does the mariners’ plea in verse 14 communicate about their understanding of the Lord? How have they come to this understanding?

- What do we see the men doing in verse 16? What is significant about the timing of their faith, sacrifice, and vow? - What happens when Jonah is hurled into the sea? How do we see the Lord’s grace and mercy at work in verse 17?

Application

- At the beginning of chapter 1, we see God giving Jonah a command to go to Nineveh. The rest of the chapter consists of Jonah trying to escape God’s command by running in the opposite direction. If we were truly honest, we would probably say that we are often more like Jonah than we would like to admit. We know what the Lord has commanded but we willfully go in the opposite direction. How are you currently doing this in your life? What does your willful disobedience say about what you are choosing to believe is true? What would it look like to follow the Lord’s commands in this area where you are currently walking in disobedience? Another principle that we see in Jonah’s plight is that his rebellion did not just affect him. It threatened the lives of everyone else onboard the boat. Sin never just affects you. How is your sin affecting the lives of those around you? How does your spouse, children, or christian community suffer because of your rebellion? How might they be helped by your humble repentance and recommitment to obedience?

- In Jonah chapter 1, we see two different stories of salvation. The more obvious one is Jonah’s rebellion, casting off, and salvation through the great fish; however, we also see the eyes of the pagan mariners become opened to the power, glory, and majesty of God. Even through His prophet’s disobedience, God is working to draw men unto Himself from every tribe, tongue, and nation. Like Jonah, how are you currently failing to walk in obedience to the mission that God has called you to? What is your Nineveh? Are you moving towards it or are you fleeing to Tarshish? What would it look like to repent and move towards the mission God has given you? How is the example of God working through Jonah’s disobedience an encouragement to you as you set out on mission but stumble and fall along the way? If God can work through our disobedience to draw people to Himself, why should we strive to walk in obedience (Ephesians 2:8-10, Galatians 6:7-10, James 1:22-25, 2:14-17)? How should the sovereignty of God motivate us to mission (John 10:1-4, 14-16, Romans 10:14-17)?

- What do we learn about God from Jonah 1? What does God’s power over and purpose in the storm teach us about His nature and character? How do we see God’s relentless pursuit of Jonah in verses 4, 11, and 13? How is this good news for us? How should we respond to the power of the Lord displayed in the storm? How do we see the sovereignty of God at work in this chapter? What do we see the Lord’s control over and what does this teach us about His sovereignty?

- Through most of the book that bears his name, Jonah stands as a negative example for us. In chapter 1, he shows us how we should not respond to command and calling of the Lord. His story is a helpful reminder that God is in the business of redeeming and working through broken, imperfect people, which we all are. One day God sent His Son who was obedient in all the places where Jonah was disobedient. When the command of the Lord came to Jesus, He joyfully obeyed by condescending to become a man and giving His life as a ransom for many. Unlike Jonah, Jesus did not turn away from the Lord’s will because He deemed the people unworthy of salvation. Instead, He knew we were unworthy but in His grace He joyfully endured the agony of the cross that our wickedness might be atoned for, repentance might be bought for us, and salvation might be accomplished. Jesus willingly stepped out of the boat into the tempest of God’s wrath that He might deliver us from Satan, sin, and death. Take a moment to reflect on these glorious truths. Praise the Lord for Jesus, the greater and better Jonah.

Week 2 - Jonah Chapter 2

In our study last week, we were introduced to Jonah. As we came to understand him more, we saw that we are much more like him than we often care to admit. We were reminded of the goodness, power, and mercy of the LORD as he relentlessly pursued Jonah and even worked through Jonah’s disobedience to open the eyes of the mariners. This week we will focus on chapter 2 which contains Jonah’s prayer from the belly of the fish. We pray that our time in God's word will prove fruitful, informing us of error, convicting us of sin, and encouraging us as we behold the glory of God.

Jonah 2:1-2 ESV ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ “Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish, 2 saying, “I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of I cried, and you heard my voice.”

- From where does Jonah issue this prayer? What does this tell us about how God answered Jonah’s call of distress?

- How does Jonah say he reacted to the hopeless condition of being thrown overboard? How does Jonah’s reaction remind us of the Lord’s purpose for the storm?

- Jonah says that he cried to the Lord “out of the belly of Sheol”. What is Sheol (1 Samuel 2:6, Psalm 6:5, 49:14, 30:3)? What is he communicating here?

Jonah 2:3 ESV ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ “For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me.”

- To whom does Jonah attribute his plight? Who sent the wind and the waves that caused Jonah’s distress? What does this teach us about his theology (Jonah 1:9. Daniel 4:34-35, :9-10)?

Jonah 2:4-6 ESV ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ “Then I said, ‘I am driven away from your sight; yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.’ 5 The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head 6 at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God.”

- Jonah says in verse 4 that he was driven away from the Lord’s sight. Does this mean that he accomplished what he set out to do in Jonah 1:3 (Psalm 139:7-12)? If not, what is Jonah communicating?

- Despite his estate, Jonah has hope. What is the cause for his hope (see verses 2 & 6)?

- According to verse 4, what does Jonah hope to do? What is the significance of the temple? What does this tell us about what Jonah will do?

- What is Jonah describing in verses 5 & 6? How does he speak of his estate before the Lord’s deliverance? What does this communicate about Jonah’s understanding of his position?

- How does the Lord respond to Jonah’s helpless estate?

Jonah 2:7 ESV ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ “When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple.”

- When did Jonah remember the Lord? What does this communicate about his heart in chapter one (see verses 3, 5, 12)?

- What does Jonah mean by “I remembered the Lord” (Genesis 8:1, 30:22-23, Hebrews 2:6)? Is he saying that he had forgotten God (Jonah 1:9)?

Jonah 2:8-9 ESV ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ “Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. 9 But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!"”

- For a brief moment, Jonah turns his attention outside of his condition in verse 8. What does he communicate here and how does it relate to him? How did the Lord show Jonah steadfast love?

- How does Jonah respond to the Lord’s deliverance in verse 9?

- What is the sacrifice and vow that Jonah speaks about here (Psalm 116:17-19, Leviticus 7:11-15)? How do we see Jonah’s heart and hands at work in his response to the Lord’s deliverance?

- How would you summarize Jonah’s prayer? Is there anything that is suspiciously missing from Jonah’s prayer (remember the events of chapter 1)?

Jonah 2:10 ESV ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​​​​ “And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.”

- How do we see the Lord’s deliverance continued in this verse? Why did the fish vomit Jonah up? Once again, what is this reminding us of?

- Oftentimes a large source of discussion when reading Jonah is God’s use of the fish to deliver Jonah. How would you explain the events of Jonah 1 & 2 to someone who couldn’t believe that a man could live inside a fish for three days (Genesis 1:1-3, 20-23, Job 39, Psalm 104)?

Application

In this chapter, we see that Jonah boldly attributed the source of the storm and his plight to the Lord (see especially verse 3). Is this how you think about the difficult circumstances and suffering in your life? How can a good God send suffering and distress into our lives and still be good (Genesis 50:19-20, Romans 8:28-30, Hebrews 12:7-11)? In your experience, what effect does failing to trust that God is in control even in difficulty and suffering have? What would it look like to walk through suffering and distress with an unshakable faith that your loving Father is in control and has a purpose in the difficulty? What sort of action would this sort of faith produce?

Jonah calls out to the Lord from his distress when he is at the end of his rope. With nowhere else to turn, we see him finally turn to instead of away from the Lord. In this picture, we are reminded of the true nature of redemption. Jesus made it abundantly clear that He came to save the lost, those without hope (Luke 19:10, Mark 2:15-17). Recognition of need and hopelessness is vital to salvation (Matthew 18:1-4, John 15:4-5). Has there been a time in your life where you recognized your utter hopelessness and turned to Jesus for salvation? How are you tempted to forget your ongoing need of Him today? What does it look like to constantly depend on Christ?

Jonah ends his prayer in verse 9 with the beautiful truth, “Salvation belongs to the LORD!” Take a moment to praise the Lord for His salvation. Remember how, much like Jonah, you were dead in sin, without hope, and incapable of doing anything by your own power. Praise the Lord for His gracious intervention. Praise Him for not only accomplishing the means of your salvation but also opening your eyes to see its beauty and your need. Take a moment this week to share with someone how the Lord brought your life up from the pit. Be a living witness to the fact that salvation belongs to our God.

Week 3 - Jonah Chapter 3

Last week, we saw Jonah crying out to the Lord from the depths and the Lord graciously delivering him. This week we will shift our focus to Jonah’s response to God's saving grace. We will examine how the Lord uses Jonah’s response to grant grace to Nineveh and glorify His name. As we read chapter 3 and consider the following questions, our prayer is that God will bless us with a greater understanding of and passion for the mission He has called us to.

Jonah 3:1-3 ESV “Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days' journey in breadth.”

- What happens right after Jonah was vomited up on the dry land? What does this teach us about the purpose for God’s salvation of Jonah?

- What does the Lord tell Jonah to do? Has His command changed from when it was given in chapter 1? What does this reveal about God’s purposes for His people?

- How does Jonah respond to the Lord’s call in verse 3? How does this contrast with his response in chapter 1? What is the cause of this change?

- Numerous times in this passage, we see it emphasized that Nineveh was a great city. What does this mean? Why is it highlighted numerous times? What impact might Nineveh’s greatness have on Jonah?

Jonah 3:4-5 ESV “Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” 5 And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.”

- What message does Jonah proclaim? Why is Nineveh being overthrown (Jonah 1:2)?

- Where does Jonah’s message come from (Jonah 3:2)?

- Why is it important that Jonah didn’t change the message to make it easier for the Ninevites to accept?

- What effect does Jonah’s preaching have? What does this tell us about God’s purpose in sending Jonah to Nineveh (Jonah 1:1-2, 2:9, 3:1-2, 4:2, 11)? Why is this significant?

- What does it mean that the people called for a fast and put on sackcloth? What does this signify (2 Samuel 1:4-12, 12:13-23, Esther 4:1, 1 Kings 21:27-29)?

- Who are we told took part in fasting and putting on sackcloth?

Jonah 3:6-9 ESV “The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, 8 but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.””

- How does verse 6 further explain the verse before it? What do we see taking place? What does the king’s actions communicate about his heart’s response to Jonah’s message?

- What does the king’s proclamation command in verse 7-9? What heart motivations do we see prescribed in the king’s command?

- Is it possible to force someone to repent and turn from sin? If not, how should we then understand the king’s command?

- According to verse 9, what are the people to call out to God about? Based on the language here, is their only concern self-preservation? How do we know?

Jonah 3:10 ESV “When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.”

- How does God respond to the people of Nineveh? What does it mean that God relented (Exodus 32:11-14, Numbers 23:19, Jeremiah 18:5-11)?

- Should we take this to mean that God waits for man to repent before granting salvation? Does the burden of initiation fall on man? What about the story of Jonah tells us this is not the case (Jonah 1:1-2)?

Application

At the beginning of chapter 3, we see the word of the Lord coming to Jonah again after he is delivered from the storm and the belly of the fish. God’s purpose and plan for Jonah is unyielding. He will send Jonah to Nineveh. As a follower of Christ, what purpose has God called you to (1 Peter 1:13-19, 2:9-12, Ephesians 2:4-10, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21)? Does this purpose change with circumstances? How committed are you to this purpose? Are you unyielding in your commitment or do you often find yourself running from what God has called you to, like Jonah? What does it look like for you to run from the purpose God has placed on your life? What would it look like to be fully committed? How is the good news as you imperfectly walk out God’s purpose for your life?

In verse 4, Jonah goes into the city and proclaims a very simple message, in forty days Nineveh will be overthrown. God works through this simple message to bring the people of Nineveh to repentance and deliver them from destruction. Much like Jonah we have been given a simple message to proclaim. We have been entrusted with the task of proclaiming the good news of the gospel to a world destined for destruction. God is pleased to work through our proclamation to grant repentance and faith. How are you currently proclaiming this message? Are you ever tempted to change the message to make it more palatable or relevant? If so, why? Do you believe that God is pleased to work through your simple, imperfect proclamation of the gospel? How is it good news that the effectiveness of the gospel is not dependant on your skill in proclamation but the power of the Lord behind the gospel (1 Corinthians 2:1-5)? How do you functionally doubt this truth? What would it look like to have absolute confidence that the gospel (and nothing else) is the sufficient power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16)?

Through the response of the people of Nineveh to Jonah’s message, we see a beautiful picture of what true repentance is. The Ninevites mourned their sin in sackcloth and ashes. They fasted and called out to the Lord that He might show them mercy. They turned from their sin and towards God. Is this how you repent of your sin? How does your repentance contrast with that of the Ninevites? How does the gospel make true repentance possible and remind us of the seriousness of sin (Romans 2:2-4, John 16:7-11, Isaiah 53:4-6)?

Week 4 - Jonah Chapter 4

Last week, we saw Jonah respond to God's grace by finally beginning to walk in obedience to the Lord’s command. We discussed how God worked through Jonah’s obedience to bring salvation to the people of Nineveh. This week as we look to Chapter 4, we will see the story take a surprising turn as Jonah turns back to his sin and rebellion. As always, our prayer is that God would bless our time in His word and would cause us to live in such a way that His name would be glorified.

Jonah 3:10-4:4 ESV “When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it. 1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. 2 And he prayed to the LORD and said, “O LORD, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. 3 Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live. 4 And the LORD said, “Do you do well to be angry?””

- According to verse 1, how did Jonah react to the Lord’s mercy on Nineveh? What does he do with his displeasure in verse 2? What does his anger reveal about his view of God?

- How does Jonah’s prayer in verse 2 explain his anger in verse 1? Why is Jonah angry? Why is God’s grace and mercy bad news to him in this moment?

- How is God described in verse 2? From where is Jonah quoting this (Exodus 34:6-7)?

- What does Jonah ask for in verse 3? Why does Jonah feel this way? What does this communicate about what is most important to him? Where else have we seen Jonah’s disregard for his own life (Jonah 1:12)?

- How does the Lord respond to Jonah in verse 4? What is He saying in this question?

Jonah 4:5-6 ESV “Jonah went out of the city and sat to the east of the city and made a booth for himself there. He sat under it in the shade, till he should see what would become of the city. 6 Now the LORD God appointed a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort. So Jonah was exceedingly glad because of the plant.”

- What do we see Jonah doing in verse 5? Despite his acknowledgment of the Lord’s grace and mercy in verse 2, what is Jonah still hoping the Lord will do?

- Jonah withdraws from Nineveh, the city where God just brought a multitude of Gentile pagans to fatih. As the prophet of God, what should Jonah have done (Matthew 28:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:1-2)? Once again, how do we see Jonah’s true priorities on display in this?

- What does the Lord do in verse 6? How does Jonah respond to the Lord’s provision?

- What does Jonah’s reaction teach us about what is truly important to him? How does his exceeding gladness here contrast with his exceeding displeasure in verse 1?

Jonah 4:7-8 ESV “But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant, so that it withered. 8 When the sun rose, God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint. And he asked that he might die and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.””

- What do we see God doing in verse 7-8? Why would God create the plant to give Jonah shade and then take it away? What is the Lord trying to do?

- Review verse 6-8 again. How do we see God’s power and sovereignty in these verses?

- How does Jonah respond to his discomfort in verse 8? Has his heart changed at all since verse 3?

Jonah 4:9-11 ESV “But God said to Jonah, “Do you do well to be angry for the plant?” And he said, “Yes, I do well to be angry, angry enough to die.” 10 And the LORD said, “You pity the plant, for which you did not labor, nor did you make it grow, which came into being in a night and perished in a night. 11 And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?””

- Once again, how do we see the Lord confronting Jonah’s heart in verse 9? How does Jonah respond to the Lord’s questioning? How should he have responded (Job 40:3-5)?

- According to verses 10-11, what was the Lord’s purpose in providing and then destroying the plant? What is He trying to show Jonah?

- What does it mean that these people “do not know their right hand from their left” (it might be helpful to consult a few commentaries)?

- What do we learn about the Lord’s nature and character in verses 10-11?

- What does the abrupt end of the book teach us about its purpose?

Application

- In verse 2, we see Jonah’s rebellion explained through his prayer. God’s grace, mercy, and steadfast love was only good news to Jonah when it applied to him. More than anything else, he did not want the same grace, mercy, and love that he had received extended to the Ninevites. While our circumstances may not be as extreme, we are often reluctant to extend the grace that we have received in the gospel to others. What does this look like in your life? Where are you failing to extend the grace that you have received from God to others? As a parent, spouse, or friend, how have you sinfully clung to self righteousness when the Lord was calling you to be gracious? What would it look like for you to properly reflect the nature of God by extending gospel grace to those around you?

- The majority of chapter 4 recounts God appointing a plant to give Jonah shade and then removing the plant to reveal Jonah’s selfishness, idolatry of comfort, and lack of concern for the souls of the Ninevites. Jonah valued himself and his comfort more than obedience to God. This is a major theme throughout the whole book. As you consider your life, what do you value more than obedience to God? What sins or temptations do you find yourself returning to? What is at the root of these sins or temptations? What most often prevents you from sharing the gospel or being more committed to the gospel community God has placed you in? Spend some time in prayer confessing this idolatry, asking the Father to lead you into obedience, and petitioning God to change your heart.

- One thing we have seen most often in the story of Jonah is God’s relentless pursuit of His people. When Jonah tried to flee to Tarshish, God sent the storm. When Jonah despaired of his life and had the sailors cast him overboard, God sent the fish. When Jonah retreated from the city in anger and sat down on a hillside alone to sulk, God sent the plant to reveal Jonah’s selfishness. Time and time again, God pursued Jonah in his rebellion. The Lord has done this with all of his people throughout all of redemptive history. As you look back over your life, how has God pursued you in your rebellion even after you came to faith? In what ways has God been working to further reveal sin in your heart and grant conviction and repentance? How have you responded to the Lord’s pursuit? How is He pursuing you now? Why is this good news?

- In verse 2, Jonah proclaims that the Lord is “a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster”. While Jonah has a negative view of this in the passage, this is most certainly good news. Spend some time reflecting on the nature and character of God as revealed in this verse. Allow this reflecting to lead you to prayer, praise, and thanksgiving. The Lord is truly gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.

Week 5 - Review & a Gospel Glimpse

Read Jonah in its entirety, reflect on our study over the past few weeks, and answer the following questions.

Review

- What do we learn about the nature and character of God from the book of Jonah? What do we learn about Him through how he relates to Jonah, the mariners, and the people of Nineveh? How do we see His power and sovereignty displayed through the storm, lots, fish, and plant?

- How should we be encouraged by God’s salvation of the mariners in chapter 1 and His deliverance of Nineveh in chapter 3?

- What is the main point of Jonah’s prayer in chapter 2? How is this an encouragement to us?

- What did chapter 3 teach us about the nature of true conviction and repentance? How should we be encouraged by the example of the Ninevites? How does God respond to a repentant heart?

- How should God’s relentless pursuit of Jonah throughout the entire book drive us to worship and praise? How are we like Jonah? How does God pursue us like he pursued Jonah?

Jesus the Greater and Better Jonah

Matthew 9:35-38 ESV “And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.””

- Consider verse 35. How does Jesus’ ministry contrast with that of Jonah (John 6:38, Jonah 1:1-3)?

- What does Jesus’ reaction to crowds in verse 36 reveal about His heart? How does Jesus’ heart towards the crowds contrast with Jonah’s heart towards the Ninevites (Jonah 4:1-3)?

- What does Jesus command His disciples to pray about in verse 38? What does this reveal about His desires? How does this compare to Jonah’s prayer in Jonah 2? How are Jesus’ desires different than Jonah’s?

- How do we see that Jesus is the greater and better Jonah in these verses?

Matthew 12:38-40 ESV “38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” 39 But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

- What is the sign of Jonah? What is Jesus referring to in verse 40 (1 Corinthians 15:4)?

- What were the scribes and Pharisees looking for? Why did they ask for a sign (:1)?

- What sign will they be shown? What will this sign produce (1 Corinthians 15:16-22)?

- How do we see that Jesus is the greater and better Jonah in these verses?

Application

In the book of Jonah, we are reminded that the Lord is “a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster” (Jonah 4:2). We see clearly that “salvation belongs to the Lord”. Our Father is a pursuing God. He pursued the idolatrous mariners that they might be saved, brought all of Nineveh to repentance, and relentlessly went after Jonah in his rebellion. Our Lord saves the wayward, godless, and self-righteous. There is no sin too strong and no heart too stubborn for Him. He relentlessly pursues His people even when they turn from Him back into sin and rebellion. This is such good news! Spend some time thanking and praising God for His steadfast love and relentless pursuit of His people. Consider all of the ways He has chased after you as He seeks to sanctify and conform you into the image of His Son. Praise the Lord for His relentless pursuit of His people!