Chapter 4

The Story Of Jonah (Chapters 1-3)

God calls the prophet to go and preach to the wicked city of Nineveh.

The Story Of Jonah (Chapters 1-3) God calls the prophet to go and preach to the wicked city of Nineveh. Jonah refuses and gets on a boat headed in the opposite direction.

The Story Of Jonah (Chapters 1-3) God calls the prophet to go and preach to the wicked city of Nineveh. Jonah refuses and gets on a boat headed in the opposite direction. To change Jonah’s mind, God sends a storm that threatens the boat and its crew – the sailors reluctantly throw Jonah into the sea.

The Story Of Jonah (Chapters 1-3) God calls the prophet to go and preach to the wicked city of Nineveh. Jonah refuses and gets on a boat headed in the opposite direction. To change Jonah’s mind, God sends a storm that threatens the boat and its crew – the sailors reluctantly throw Jonah into the sea. God mercifully sends a great fish to swallow Jonah, sparing his life.

The Story Of Jonah (Chapters 1-3) Jonah repents and is delivered from the belly of the fish.

The Story Of Jonah (Chapters 1-3) Jonah repents and is delivered from the belly of the fish. God again calls Jonah to go and preach to Nineveh – this time the prophet obeys.

The Story Of Jonah (Chapters 1-3) Jonah repents and is delivered from the belly of the fish. God again calls Jonah to go and preach to Nineveh – this time the prophet obeys. Upon hearing the prophet’s message, the city of Nineveh repents of its wickedness and God spares it from destruction.

Jonah 4:1-4

The prophet’s original motive for rebelling against God is finally revealed (v. 2).

Jonah 4:1-4 The prophet’s original motive for rebelling against God is finally revealed (v. 2). Jonah actually seems to use scripture in an attempt to justify his disobedience (Ex. 34; Num. 14; Neh. 9; Ps. 86, 103, 145; Joel 2).

Jonah 4:1-4 The prophet’s original motive for rebelling against God is finally revealed (v. 2). Jonah actually seems to use scripture in an attempt to justify his disobedience (Ex. 34; Num. 14; Neh. 9; Ps. 86, 103, 145; Joel 2). The problem is not due to a lack of knowledge about God – Jonah knows God’s character, but he does not like it.

Jonah 4:1-4 Jonah’s attitude demonstrates the essence of idolatry – trying to make God conform to the way we want Him to be.

Jonah 4:1-4 Jonah’s attitude demonstrates the essence of idolatry – trying to make God conform to the way we want Him to be. We cannot expect God to be merciful to us, but then to withhold mercy from others (Mt. 5:7; Mt. 18:21-35).

Jonah 4:5-8

God appoints a plant, a worm, and a wind in order to teach Jonah a lesson.

Jonah 4:5-8 God appoints a plant, a worm, and a wind in order to teach Jonah a lesson. As long as he is comfortable, Jonah is “extremely happy.” As soon as he becomes uncomfortable, he gets angry and complains.

Jonah 4:5-8 God appoints a plant, a worm, and a wind in order to teach Jonah a lesson. As long as he is comfortable, Jonah is “extremely happy.” As soon as he becomes uncomfortable, he gets angry and complains. Jonah shows greater concern for selfish comforts than for the souls in Nineveh.

Jonah 4:5-8 God appoints a plant, a worm, and a wind in order to teach Jonah a lesson. As long as he is comfortable, Jonah is “extremely happy.” As soon as he becomes uncomfortable, he gets angry and complains. Jonah shows greater concern for selfish comforts than for the souls in Nineveh. Nineveh forsakes its comforts to pursue God, so God gives it comfort. Jonah forsakes God to pursue his comfort, so God takes it away.

Jonah 4:9-11

Jonah’s compassion is lacking because his perspective is lacking.

Jonah 4:9-11 Jonah’s compassion is lacking because his perspective is lacking. Technically speaking, Jonah obeys God, but his heart does not match God’s heart.

Psalm 51:16-17 (NRSV) “For you have no delight in sacrifice; if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”

Hosea 6:6 (ESV) “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”

Amos 5:21-24 (NASB) “I hate, I reject your festivals, nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them; and I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fatlings. Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”

Micah 6:6-8 (NASB) “With what shall I come to the Lord and bow myself before the God on high? Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, with yearling calves? Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, in ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Jonah 4:9-11 Jonah’s compassion is lacking because his perspective is lacking. Technically speaking, Jonah obeys God, but his heart does not match God’s heart. We cannot “repent” simply to avoid trouble, then go back to the way we were before.

Jonah 4:9-11 “Should I not have compassion on Nineveh?”

Jonah 4:9-11 “Should I not have compassion on Duluth?”

Jonah 4:9-11 “Should I not have compassion on Duluth?”

Jonah 4:9-11 “Should I not have compassion on Duluth?”

Jonah 4:9-11 “Should I not have compassion on Duluth?”