Literature

Perish, 1:6 – v., to die Tempestuous, 1:13 – adj., very stormy; rough with wind Beseech, 1:14 – v., to ask or pray with urgency

Allegory, n., a figurative story where the main subject is described by another subject resembling it in its properties and circumstances. It is a continued metaphor using real facts. Figurative, adj., representing something else; not literal or direct.

Psalm 80:8-16 New International Version (NIV) 8 You transplanted a vine from Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. 9 You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land. 10 The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches. 11 Its branches reached as far as the Sea, [a] its shoots as far as the River. [b]ab 12 Why have you broken down its walls so that all who pass by pick its grapes? 13 Boars from the forest ravage it, and insects from the fields feed on it. 14 Return to us, God Almighty! Look down from heaven and see! Watch over this vine, 15 the root your right hand has planted, the son [c] you have raised up for yourself.c 16 Your vine is cut down, it is burned with fire; at your rebuke your people perish.

Who is the vine? What similarities does the nation of Israel have with the vine? Are the boars and insects real or figurative?

New International Version (NIV) 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. How is Jonah’s life an allegory? What symbol would you use to represent Jonah?

God uses figurative language in the Bible to help us understand by relating a concrete or “real” fact to us through a story. He draws connections from the past all the way to the present by using situations we are familiar with. There are types of Jesus all throughout the Old Testament!

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What was Jonah’s calling? To point out the sin of Ninevah Why did he disobey? Scripture doesn’t tell us specifically What was the result of his disobedience? Bad result A storm nearly destroyed innocent people Jonah ended up in a fish Good result Unbelievers recognized the One True God Have you ever disobeyed? What was the result?

God used Jonah’s life and this recorded history to show us the consequences of running from His call in our lives. We are supposed to be a witness to those who don’t know Christ. But even if we reject His call at first, once we repent, we can be a powerful witness to those who are near us. Either way, God will get glory.