1. Three Thoughts from the Book of Jonah
“And the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time saying: Arise, go into Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the preaching that I bid you.” Jonah 3:1-2

2. The Book of Jonah “What if Jonah is not there…” 32nd. Book of the OT
Only 4 chapters; One of the short books of the Bible
Jonah lived during the reign of king Jeroboam 2 Ki. 14:25
8th. Century BC
The first foreign missionary
Jesus likened Jonah’s experience to His own burial and resurrection Mt.12:38-42 (Read)
We all know the miracle of Jonah in the belly of a fish
There is a greater, much greater, miracle ….
The Book of Jonah

3. Three Thoughts….. 1. The Prophet

4. Three Thoughts….. 1. The Prophet
“The reluctant missionary”
Chosen by God (A prophet)
Sent by God to a foreign land 1:2
“Arise, go to Nineveh and cry AGAINST it…”
Fleeing from an unwelcome mission 1:3
Running away from duty. Why?
In a great storm 1:4-17
His prayer and the Lord’s answer 2:1-10
His obedience 3:1-4
Jonah’s displeasure and God’s dealing with him 4:1-11
Three Thoughts….. 1. The Prophet

5. Three Thoughts …. 1. The Prophet 2. The People
First, the king (3:6-9)
Rose from his throne
Laid his robe aside
Covered himself with sackcloth
Sat in ashes
Issued a proclamation
Observe a fast- no food or water
Humility- cover with sackcloth
Pray- “CRY MIGHTILY unto God”
Turn from evil ways… and violence
Three Thoughts …. 1. The Prophet 2. The People

6. Three Thoughts …. 1. The Prophet 2. The People
Now, How did the people respond? 4:5
They BELIEVED GOD
Proclaimed a fast
Put on sackcloth (sign of humility), from the greatest to the least
They REPENTED
Three Thoughts …. 1. The Prophet 2. The People

7. God hates sin but loves the sinners
He wants people to repent and turn to Him
He sends missionaries to lost people (Jonah)
He redeems and restores (Jonah) even disobedient prophets - “God of second chance”
God is pleased when people repent and turn to Him. “God saw their works” (repentance/faith came first)
The city is spared- “God did it not.” 3:10
See how God deals with a “displeased and angry” prophet. (in love and compassion) 4:1-11
Three Thoughts …. 1. The Prophet 2. The People 3. The God of the Prophet and the People

8. Three Thoughts …. Application
What does it mean to me? (Application)
How does God speaks to me now?
Obey Him. Don’t run away from Him or the task. (Look at the price Jonah paid …)
But, if you have run away, there is hope…
Souls of men are worth much more than our material comfort. (Jonah was upset because the tree that gave him shelter from the hot sun has withered way. God’s people today are more concerned about material benefits than…)
I spoke of a miracle greater than Jonah in the belly of the fish…..
Three Thoughts …. Application