Bible study: Our Providing God (Jonah Session 3) Opening Prayer – Heavenly Father, even though you know all our needs before we ask you, we nevertheless bring our petitions before you so that you will lead us to realize this, and that with thanksgiving we might receive your gifts of daily bread and daily mercies. As we study your provisions for Jonah, help us also to recognize everything you provide for us on a daily basis so that we might call out to you in praise in every circumstance. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. A Song melody CW 414 I leave all things to God's direction; He loves me both in wealth and woe. His will is good, sure his affection; His tender love is true, I know. My fortress and my rock is he: What pleases God, that pleases me. God knows what must be done to save me; His love for me will never cease. Upon his hands he did engrave me With purest gold of loving grace. His will supreme must ever be: What pleases God, that pleases me. My God desires the soul's salvation; My soul he, too, desires to save. Therefore with Christian resignation All earthly troubles I will brave. His will be done eternally: What pleases God, that pleases me. My God has all things in his keeping; He is my ever-faithful friend. He gives me laughter after weeping, And all his ways in blessings end. His love endures eternally: What pleases God, that pleases me. Text, Tune, Setting: public domain. Synopsis of Theme Though we, like Jonah, are stubborn and undeserving of God’s goodness, he nevertheless provides for all our needs, in both body and soul. Part 1: God’s Provisions But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights. (Jonah 1:17) Then the LORD God provided a vine and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the vine. (Jonah 4:6) But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the vine so that it withered. 8 When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.” (Jonah 4:7-8 1. The LORD’s activity of provision is evident throughout the narrative of Jonah. It the above three sections, what and why is he providing? 2. Contrast the obedience of animals (the great fish) and the worm), the plant, and the wind with the disobedience of Jonah. This is a theme in other Old Testament texts. Read the following passages and describe the contrast between the obedience of people and the rest of creation. The ox knows his master, the donkey his owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” (Isaiah 1:3) Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. 22 But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, she turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat her to get her back on the road. 24 Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between two vineyards, with walls on both sides. 25 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it. So he beat her again. 26 Then the angel of the LORD moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. 27 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat her with his staff. 28 Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?” 29 Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.” 30 The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?” “No,” he said. 31 Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown. (Numbers 22:21-31) Sing for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done this; shout aloud, O earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the LORD has redeemed Jacob, he displays his glory in Israel. (Isaiah 44:23) Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. (Isaiah 49:13) You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. (Isaiah 55:12) 3. Why is it significant that Jonah was in the belly of the fish for “three days and three nights”? Part 2: Discussion/Application “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:25-32) 1. How has God provided for your physical needs? 2. How has God provided for your spiritual needs? A Closing Hymn Melody CW 421 All depends on our possessing God's abundant grace and blessing, Though all earthly wealth depart. They who trust with faith unshaken In their God are not forsaken And e'er keep a dauntless heart. He who to this day has fed me And to many joys has led me Is and ever shall be mine. He who ever gently schools me, He who daily guides and rules me, Will remain my help divine. Many spend their lives in fretting Over trifles and in getting Things that have no solid ground. I shall strive to win a treasure That will bring me lasting pleasure And that now is seldom found. Well he knows what best to grant me; All the longing hopes that haunt me, Joy and sorrow, have their day. I shall doubt his wisdom never As God wills, so be it ever – I to him commit my way. If on earth my days he lengthen, He my weary soul will strengthen; All my trust in him I place. Earthly wealth is not abiding, Like a stream away is gliding; Safe I anchor in his grace. Text, Tune, Setting: public domain. A Closing Prayer Loving Father, you have created all things for our good and glory. Though we often fail to carry out your purposes for us, we pray that you would continue to provide for our needs and restore us to yourself. And as you deal so mercifully with us, may we extend that same mercy to those around us, that our lives might be a reflection of your great love that has no limits. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. The Lutheran Home Association 337 South Meridian Street, Belle Plaine, MN 56011 tlha.org l 888-600-TLHA l [email protected] .