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2. Stories From The Old Testament That Build Faith & Devotion

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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 7:10-11 - chastisement from a loving, but fair Father Heb 12:5-11 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

7. An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs Toward God 1:17 – 2:10  Jonah’s prayer 2:1-9  He expressed his own sinfulness, and his attempts to still reach out toward God  He admits God’s just nature to punish Him, yet he knows God hears the penitent Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

8. An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs Toward God 1:17 – 2:10  Jonah’s prayer 2:1-9  He concluded by vowing to serve God as He commanded (i.e. he will go to Ninevah)  God’s response 2:10  The fish vomits Jonah up on the shore Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

9. An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs Toward God 1:17 – 2:10  Some Applications…  God uses that which we think will “destroy” us (the fish swallowing Jonah) to actually humble and save us  God is a “God of 2nd chances” Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

10. An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs With God 3:1-10  God’s word came to Jonah a 2nd time v. 1  It was the same as the 1st time v. 2 1:2  POINT Ù all human efforts cannot thwart God’s will Mt 5:18 24:35 1 Pet 1:24-25 Isa 55:8-11 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

11. An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs With God 3:1-10  Notice what God did not mention  He said nothing of Jonah’s previous conduct in rebelling against His will  Based on Jonah’s repentance, God had forgiven and forgotten Heb 8:12 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

12. An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs With God 3:1-10  Jonah goes to Ninevah, cries against it v. 3  The city is large…a “daunting task” v. 4a  His “oracle” is only 8 words long v. 4b Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion “Yet forty days and Ninevah will be destroyed.”

13. An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs With God 3:1-10  The people of Ninevah responded vv. 5-9  They “believed in God” v. 5a  They “fasted and put on sackcloth” v. 5b  The king also repented, and decreed that everyone “repent” & “call on God” vv. 6-9 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

14. An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs With God 3:1-10  Ninevah’s repentance = genuine Mt 12:41  Jesus compared them to hypocrites  Why was Jonah successful? Lk 11:29-30  He was a “sign” to the people of Ninevah just as Christ would be to the Jews Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

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