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Stories From The Old Testament That Build Faith & Devotion

An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4  Timeline of Jonah’s prophecy…  Prophesied during the days of Jeroboam II king of Israel 2 Kings 14:23-25  He reigned around 793 – 753 B.C.  Israel enjoyed military & political prosperity  Yet, they were also days of great moral & spiritual decay v. 24 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4  Timeline of Jonah’s prophecy…  Prophesied during the days of Jeroboam II king of Israel 2 Kings 14:23-25  Jonah advised the king re: restoring Israel’s borders v. 25  Given this, plus Jonah’s attitude toward Ninevah, he was a “nationalist” Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs Away From God 1:1-16  The Man 1:1-3  A prophet…the son of Amittai…from Gath-hepher (near Nazareth) v. 1  Served Jeroboam II during the days of Israel’s military & political expansion 2 Kings 14:25 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs Away From God 1:1-16  The Man 1:1-3  Called away from his “domestic” work to perform “spiritual” work in Ninevah v. 2  He didn’t like his new assignment…he fled in the opposite direction “from the presence of the Lord” v. 3 cp. Psa 139:7-12 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs Away From God 1:1-16  The Man 1:1-3  Ninevah = the capital city of Assyria  They were noted for their cruelty, esp. towards captives 2 Chron 33:11  They were also arrogant Isa 10:5-14  Jonah was a “deserter” (AWOL) Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

Ninevah Gath-hepher

An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs Away From God 1:1-16  The Divine Response At Sea 1:4-16  God “hurled a great wind & storm on the sea”…it began to break up the ship that was carrying Jonah v. 4  The sailors lightened the cargo…they also began praying to their gods v. 5a Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs Away From God 1:1-16  The Divine Response At Sea 1:4-16  Jonah was below in the ship asleep v. 5b  The captain rebuked Jonah for not praying to his God v. 6  Ironic Ù pagans pray to false idols; Jonah doesn’t pray & runs from the true God Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs Away From God 1:1-16  The Divine Response At Sea 1:4-16  How could Jonah sleep at a time like this?  Physical and mental exhaustion in trying to run away from God?  A seared conscience? 1 Tim 4:2 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs Away From God 1:1-16  The Divine Response At Sea 1:4-16  The sailors also cast lots to determine who is responsible for the trouble v. 7a  The lot fell on Jonah v. 7b Prov 16:33  They question Jonah…he confesses who he was & Who he served vv. 8-9 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs Away From God 1:1-16  The Divine Response At Sea 1:4-16  He told them he was fleeing God v. 10  Jonah’s statement re: “fearing the God of heaven who made the sea” didn’t exactly match his present actions  They were amazed at his behavior Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs Away From God 1:1-16  The Divine Response At Sea 1:4-16  They asked Jonah what they should do to calm the sea for everyone v. 11  Jonah replied “Throw me overboard” v. 12  They tried battling the storm, but it was of no use v. 13 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs Away From God 1:1-16  The Divine Response At Sea 1:4-16  Their attempt to battle the storm before throwing Jonah overboard is “noble”  They showed a concern for Jonah he was not willing to show the Assyrians…they didn’t want him to die Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs Away From God 1:1-16  The Divine Response At Sea 1:4-16  Before throwing Jonah overboard, the sailors prayed to God that they not be held responsible for his life v. 14  Once Jonah was in the sea, the storm stopped and all became calm v. 15 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs Away From God 1:1-16  The Divine Response At Sea 1:4-16  As a result, the sailors “feared the Lord greatly,” offered sacrifices, and made vows v. 16  They were doing things Jonah should have been doing all along Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs Toward God 1:17 – 2:10  Now in the sea, Jonah is swallowed up by a “great fish” appointed by God 1:17a  Jonah was in the fish’s belly for 3 days and 3 nights 1:17b Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs Toward God 1:17 – 2:10  Jonah’s stay in the fish’s belly is important  Jesus gives this event credibility when He compares it to His own D/B/R Mt 12:38-40  Would the Lord have used something “fictitious” to certify His own resurrection? Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs Toward God 1:17 – 2:10  While Jonah was in the fish’s belly, how good do you suppose Ninevah looked?  POINT Ù How much better will things go for us when we do not try “evading” the will of God? Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs Toward God 1:17 – 2:10  Jonah’s prayer 2:1-9  It emphasizes several emotions… - helplessness, fear, separation from God - realization that if salvation (deliverance) comes, it only comes from God Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs Toward God 1:17 – 2:10  Jonah’s prayer 2:1-9  It emphasizes several emotions… - repentance (renewed resolve) to fulfill one’s God-given duties 2 Cor 7: chastisement from a loving, but fair Father Heb 12:5-11 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

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