Jonah 1:1-4-11 + Revelation 5:1-14 + Psalm 133:1-3 + Proverbs 29:26-27
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~
Old Testament – Today we start and finish the book of Jonah! There is so much information to consider in this short 4 chapter book. I definitely encourage you to do some further study on this book in a Commentary or online.
~Jonah~
Author: Jonah
Date: Eighth century B.C.
Content: Jonah was a prophet who was born in Israel (see 2 Kings 14:25) and called by God to preach repentance to Assyria (the capital city was Nineveh) – the nation that was shortly going to destroy Israel in 722 B.C. On receiving the call, Jonah’s nationalistic spirit would not allow him to offer salvation to the pagans, so he attempted to flee from God by ship. He was thrown overboard, swallowed by a great fish, disgorged on the shore, and finally obeyed God’s command by going to Nineveh to preach. His success there angered him, however, and God taught him an object lesson by means of a plant. Jonah’s experience in the fish is used in the New Testament (see Matthew 12:38-41) as an example of Jesus’ burial and resurrection.
Theme: The basic theme of Jonah is found in 4:11, where God declares his love for all men, whether Israelites or not. Jonah was unable to love the Assyrians properly, but God desired nothing for them but their good and their salvation, and he sent a prophet to offer repentance unto life. The book also shows the power of God and his control over the forces of nature. (Above commentary is from “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 17) A wonderful commentary on the book of Jonah by Hampton Keathley IV is at this link. Here is a quote from this link: “Jonah is different than the other prophets because it is not full of prophecies by the prophet, it is instead, about the life of the prophet. Little attention is given to what he actually said.”
Jonah is called by God to prophesy to the city of Nineveh – which was not part of Israel or Judah – but was a “Gentile” city to the east. If you are wondering why Jonah got so grouchy with God’s command – this is why. Jonah did not think he should be prophesying to Gentile nations – because, as we read later in the book, Jonah knows that God is a compassionate God who will show mercy on Nineveh. Last thing to point out before we check out some verses. There is some dispute over whether Jonah is a real history when it comes to him being in the belly of a whale for 3 days. I guess this comes down to the basic question of whether you believe in miracles or not? If you do believe in miracles, then it is of course possible that Jonah lived in the belly of the whale for 3 days. I believe in miracles… As some contemporary song says, I’m a miracle myself…
Check out what Jesus had to say about Jonah’s history of being in the belly of the whale in Matthew chapter 12 verse 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.” Here we see Jesus compares his 3 days of death, burial and resurrection to Jonah’s 3 days in the belly of the whale… Do you believe in miracles?
Jonah chapter 1 verse 3 stood out to me in today’s reading: “But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction in order to get away from the LORD.” How often in our own lives are we like Jonah? Do we sense God wanting us to do something? For others? And we run in the opposite direction of God’s will? If we do this, might we bring storms upon our lives as Jonah did? Might we even bring storms upon other people’s lives by disobeying God’s will as Jonah did? Will we learn from Jonah?
Chapter 2 Verse 8 also stood out to me: “Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God’s mercies.” Do you believe that God wants to show us mercy all the time? But, it’s possible that we sometimes literally turn our backs on God? Will we turn back toward God, and God only? And not turn away again? And receive his mercies? Please don’t ever turn your back on God… Don’t turn your back on all of God’s mercies!
In Jonah chapter 4 verse 2 we read a verse that I have to confess made me chuckle when I first read it: “So he complained to the LORD about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, LORD? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you were a gracious and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. I knew how easily you could cancel your plans for destroying these people.” I love it! Jonah complaining to God about how gracious He is! 🙂 Is it possible that we do this in our own lives too? Do we complain to God about how good he is to others? Are we at times like Jonah or the Prodigal Son’s brother, showing jealousy toward God’s goodness and grace toward others? Shouldn’t we instead rejoice in this, realizing that God shows this same unfailing love toward us too?
Bible Project: Here is a terrific video overview of the book of Jonah!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLIabZc0O4c
New Testament – Revelation 5 is another beautiful chapter looking at worship in heaven! And in this chapter we see the worship of Jesus, the Lion and the Lamb, who opens the scroll. It is interesting that Jesus is described first as the Lion of Judah in verse 5 and then as a Lamb in verse 6. This demonstrates both Jesus’ authority and power (lion) and Jesus’ submission to God’s will (lamb).
Verse 9 is certainly powerful in today’s readings: “And they sang a new song with these words: “You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were killed, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.” Do you believe that Jesus’ blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation? How do people accept this gift – this ransom? Are the stakes high enough that we should accept this ransom?
And verse 12 is powerful: “And they sang in a mighty chorus: “The Lamb is worthy–the Lamb who was killed. He is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.” Do you believe that Jesus is worthy to receive power? And riches? And wisdom? And honor? And glory? And blessing? Will you give these things to Jesus in your life today?
To powerfully close out this New Testament post today, below is an image of Revelation Chapter 5 titled “The Opening of the Sealed Scroll” by the amazing artist Pat Marvenko Smith from www.revelationillustrated.com. Based on today’s readings, please take a few moments to reflect on this image and what it means to you personally…
To order prints visit her “Revelation Illustrated” site.
Psalms – Psalm 133 is a great short Davidic Psalm about harmony! Verse 1 sets the pace of this psalm nicely: “How wonderful it is, how pleasant, when brothers live together in harmony!” Do you consistently seek harmony in your interactions with others? Do you pray for peace?
Proverbs – Proverbs 29 verse 26 teaches us today: “Many seek the ruler’s favor, but justice comes from the LORD.” This is a great reminder that though we may seek justice through worldly institutions and rulers, justice truly only comes from God.
Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of this terrific Chris Tomlin song that was written based on Revelation Chapter 5 called “Is He Worthy?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkRiYsTN7KY
Do you know our Worthy Lord?? Click here to meet Him!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. He said: ‘In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry.'” Jonah 2:1-2 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray that you call out to the Lord when you are in distress. Pray in thanksgiving knowing that the Lord will listen to your cry. Pray in thanksgiving knowing that in his own perfect way, the Lord will answer you.
Comments from you: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
======= Ramona:
Jonah 1-4:11
Boy, it’s one thing to have the storms of life battering you because, like seasons, storms come and go; however, it’s something different when a storm is following you because of bad choices. When I was a child and watched a lot of cartoons I would sometimes see a bubble over a character that contained little storms that rained down on the head of the cartoon figure as he walked along. Everywhere the character went the storm went, just like Jonah.
Mike asked,
>> …might we bring storms upon our lives as Jonah did? Might we even bring storms upon other people’s lives by disobeying God’s will as Jonah did? >>
I’ve often read this book and pondered the possibility of bringing storms into peoples lives. While people all around me try to save their life and possessions while sheltering me, the storm bringer-oner, holding pray meetings and rebuking and binding demonic spirits, the only way to get rid of the storm may is to throw me overboard.
I don’t believe the storm came to Jonah when he was in the boat, the storm came the minute he rebelled against God, it was internal. Jonah knew he was in a weather disturbance, but not one else saw what was on the inside of Johan. The outward manifestation came when he got into someone else’s boat. Watch who you allow into your boat.
Psalm 133:1-3
How wonderful it is, how pleasant,
when brothers live together in harmony!
I love this, harmony. In music, harmony does not mean that everyone sings the same notes at the same time. As each person focuses on their notes and lines, those who listen don’t hear the one singer, they hear all the voices.
We must remember that we were not created to all be in lock step position. Each of us has a purpose and a position in the kingdom of God. Don’t try to do someone else’s job or be someone else. Be what God created you to be and who God created you to be.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
====== Fred:
Mike asked
Do you believe that Jesus is worthy to receive power? And riches? And wisdom? And honor? And glory? And blessing?
Will you give these things to Jesus in your life?
and my thought today is how can I give these things to Jesus in my daily walk . ..how can I put myself down , and this word ” dethrone” come to my mind , dethrone of self and enthrone of Jesus,
to give Jesus the rightful place in our life.
Fred
===== Vance:
Has anyone seen “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the witch, and the wardrobe” ? It is an excellent movie, faithful to the text of the book.
It is an excellent allegory about the Lord Jesus by C.S. Lewis.
~~~
Here are some thoughts I received from another devotional today that really blessed and challenged me. SEE BELOW.
TODAY GOD IS FIRST
Hearing God’s Voice
Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 1 Samuel 3:7
Many of us grow up in religious environments. We go to church every week. We have a head knowledge of God, but we do not recognize God’s voice in our lives.
There comes a time when we must recognize God’s voice for ourselves.
God does not want us to have a religion; He wants us to have a two-way relationship with Him.
Samuel was never the same after this encounter. He would know God’s voice and would respond to Him in obedience.
Do you know God’s voice? Can you recognize it when He speaks?
==> In order to hear God’s voice, you must be clean before Him and listen. Listen to God’s voice today and follow His plans for you.
~~~
MY COMMENT:
Knowing and loving Scripture (as essential as that is) is NOT the same thing as knowing and loving God… hearing His voice and obeying His voice.
OF COURSE… the Bible is God’s breath in writing and is God’s Word.
YET… we cannot live the Christian life in our own mind or strength– no matter how long we have been a Christian. Without that personal relationship with the Holy Spirit — listening and responding with a pure heart — we cannot live the life God planned.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” — Jesus, Matthew 5:8
Vance
======= Jenny:
ha! i love Jonah’s story! I think he’s so easy to relate to. How many times have i run from God then been thrown in the sea (figuritively). haha, i remember my pastor discussing him…he gets barfed out by this whale and the ppl of Nineveh see this man covered in barf and who knows wat else, probly looked like a madman…the ppl believed on the spot. haha. then Jonah gets mad at God and is grumbling and wishing he were dead. I can so relate to this guy. “fine, just kill me now then!”….pouting like a 2 year old! I just mentioned him a couple days ago in a comment when thinking of all the guys God used and loved…some messed up bad! I confess, i can be like Jonah and the prodigal son’s brother! God’s been dealing with me regarding this.
One thing I dont understand…maybe someone could answer…i’ve always had this Q, regarding Jesus being in the earth 3 days and 3 nights as Jonah was in the belly of a fish 3 days/3 nights. Jesus rose on the third day. So, lets say He was crucified on Friday, spent friday and saturday night in the earth, but rose on sunday morning. So thats 2 nights. Can anyone help me out of this???
Oh…and if anyone is unsure, the scroll is the title deed to the earth!
Jenny
======= Gina:
Ok…there is a ton of conviction/lessons in all of these scriptures for me today!
In Jonah…well, one of my biggest struggles is pride…and I am just like Jonah sometimes (probably most of the time)…I feel a nudge from God and dismiss it because it may be uncomfortable for me…or worse yet, I feel like the other person doesn’t “deserve” to be blessed by God…Like Jenny said…the Prodigal Son “syndrome”. I’m just thankful that God is revealing this to me in a merciful, gentle way! What a loving and forgiving God we serve!!
Revelations, well, we have a song at church called “The Revelation Song” – it is one of the most powerful worship songs I’ve ever heard…all words in the song are straight from Revelation (hense the name of the song..DUH!) – Anyway – I had to listen to it after I read chapter 5 today…what a closeness I felt! Thank You Jesus!
Psalms…reminds me that I need to stop complaining about my denomination! I attend a Methodist church but, in my heart of hearts, I really hate denominations! But that doesn’t give me a right to complain about it or point out that we do things different than say Baptist or even non-denominational churches. UNITY is the message here…I have recently been trying to ask the question “is this matter that you want to complain or argue about an eternal matter?” If it is not an issue of Heaven or Hell…then it’s not worth arguing.
Proverbs reminds me that revenge is of the Lord! We don’t have to worry if we do not get the proper justice here on earth…God will always provide the right justice in His time!
Gina
====== Kristie:
I loved reading Jonah this morning. I even went to Wikipedia to read more about Ninevah. What was interesting to me however is the end of Jonah when God explains that he has compassion on Ninevah–120,000 people who don’t their right hand from their left. It gives us a look into God’s heart for lost people. I think there are places like Ninevah today that we don’t want to go to as Christians, but God wants us to go and preach the Gospel. It could be another country, or it could be right here at home. (I could be wrong on that interpretation…)
Jenny, as to your question, Jonah is only a “type” of Christ. There are parallels of Jonah to Christ, but it is not meant to be exactly the same. For instance, Jonah wasn’t willing to preach at first, but Christ was never unwilling to preach. Jonah was depressed at Ninevah’s repentence–Jesus rejoices in people repenting!
Another term used to describe this is that Jonah was a “shadow” of the actual Christ who was to come.
Hope that helps.
Kristie
======= Mae:
I love the story of Jona, it is one of the stories that I remembered from when I was a little girl. I always wondered how a man could survive being in the belly of a huge whale! LOL Yeah, I was young, couldn’t realize how big God was.
I love verse 2:9 – But I, with a song of thanksgiving,
will sacrifice to you.
What I have vowed I will make good.
Salvation comes from the LORD.”
What more can I add to that, eh?
Proverbs 29:27 – The righteous detest the dishonest;
the wicked detest the upright.
Awesome! I think we all can relate to this, eh? You know, since I’m saved I’m living as a better person, I live upright so to speak. I do feel that some people take some distance from me, I hear stories about “Mae turning boring since she joined some community”. I don’t want to say that I was wicked before my rebirth, but yeah, I did and said things I shouldn’t have done. At the time it seemed like fun to make fun of people, not avoid fights and stuff like that. But I’m a changed woman, and I’ve lost a bunch of ‘friends’. Probably cause they detest the upright? Well now, that sounds like I live like a saint now. But the truth is that most of them turned their backs on me cause they think I joined some questionable community, some of them think that I need to get off the high horse and stuff like that. Oh well, it’s okay … I’m happy!!! The happiest I’ve ever been!
Mae
===== Gina:
Oooooo Mae…YOU GO GIRL!!! :0) You are on a HIGH! a Jesus High!
My grandma’s pastor told me (the week after I was saved) that the first thing that would happen is that I would lose some of my friends…and he was absolutely right. It hurt but Jesus has replaced those “friends” with thee best friends ever!!!!! Stay strong, Girl!!! Love ya!
Gina
====== Mae:
You give me spirit, Gina!!!!!!! And you’re right … I’ve lost a few ‘friends’ and I feel that I’m about to lose some more … But I’ve got you now!!! And Chris! And Jenny! And Mark! And not to forget all the great friends within my “boring weird community” LOL hee hee hee Yes, it hurts from time to time, I know they talk about me and make fun of me. But I’ll stay strong!!! Thank you, Gina!!! I love you!!!
Mae
======= Nasser:
dear mike ,
since i found this website and i am so blessed and inspired of your devouted time to reflect and put pictures that make the word of god so alive and inspiring and touching me deeply really i do appreciate you work .about today verses it is a lovely feeling to see that our lord show us how much he loves us and finally after the dead and the victory of jesus over death i have no fear from anything because he is victoious and he had the aouthority not satan and he show us how important to be submissive to god’s will. from jonah ilearned to love the other nations especially th emuslims despite their resentment to chriatain . may the lord help to show mercy and compassion to others as he shows to th epeople of ninoha . god bless you mike and the others. Amin
Nasser
======= Johnnie:
As I reflect today on Jonah some things stick out for me. A King in another nation, upon hearing what Jonah is saying, gets down from his throne, humbles himself and then calls others within the city to humble themselves. Now, I don’t know about you, but I think that the things that happened to Jonah earlier (the sailors, the storm and the fish) all were broadcast within the city like a news flash before he arrived.
This “rebellion” helped Jonah when he arrived in the city to proclaim, “Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!” It says, “the people believed him”.
I love how God can even use when we turn away from him for good. For I often think how my life, which was so wrong before Him coming into my heart, has been created for good now because of His power working within me.
Also, the King coming off his throne to me reflects how Christ came down to be with us. Such a wonderful picture.
Johnnie
======= Benny:
Hi, one word just keeps popping out that i think is not what the Bible says. Whale. Not a single word of that animal in the book of Jonah or in the bible. A huge fish could be anything, possibly some kind of extinct animal, or it’s not impossible that God created a unique fish just for this purpose. How about that mythic animal called Leviathan? That’s also a possibility. Just because the artists today can only imagine whale as the hugest fish in the world, doesn’t necesarrily it applies to Jonah’s fish.
Anyway, last week my church’s prayer meeting mentioned Jonah. We were asked whether Christian religion is exclusive, inclusive or all religions are the same. To make my point short, we reach to a point where some suggest that if God can uses His creations (general revelation) to save people who never heard of Jesus to save them (without the special revelation – Christ and Bible), then we should stop sending missionaries, because they could be saved without hearing about Jesus anyway. But once again, God shows His Grand Plan that since Jonah’s time He already sent missionary to tribes that never heard of him to save them, which in conclusion lead us to believe that no matter what, the mission to unreachable tribes in the world should continue and one day when every single one of them have heard about Jesus, then the end will come.
I hope I’m not rambling and uses the correct grammar. *sigh*
Benny
====== Art:
We need to pause and be thankful of the great blessing of having artist such as Raphael to inspire us. So often in our time and place such outstanding artwork that has measured the test of time is so overshadowed by the pop culture of the day.
Let us read Proverbs 29:26 concerning true justice, then meditate and reflect as we study the image of Raphael’s “Justice” so kindly presented here for our benefit. If that doesn’t raise us to a higher level of thought, feeling, and sensitivity, I’m not sure what would.
Thank you, Mike, for including such images for our benefit!
Art
====== Celeste:
Hello all!
This is my first time to write and I’m ashamed I have not thanked Mike sooner for this wonderful bible blog. Without it I probably would not have ever read the bible all the way through. I have learned so much from it and also from all the comments people have shared. I’m sharing it with as many people as I can. Especialy now with the new year upon us. Thank you again Mike soooo very much for all your hard work.
Celeste
======== Julie:
The comments by H. Keathley about Jonah are very insightful. I never paid much attention to Jonah. I learned a few new lessons today. Thank you, and thanks for the link.
Julie
======= Maria:
Psalm 133:1-3
How wonderful it is, how pleasant,
when brothers live together in harmony!
Yes, I believed if we make it our goal and tried our very best just to live our lives at peace to God, connecting to Him in our daily quiet time, bowing down at His feet, acknowledging Him as our Father and our God,humbling ourselves before Him and not acting as if we are god in our own righteousness, then i think He will make a beautiful music in all the areas of our lives. He will put the perfect notes and the perfect keys to make a perfect harmony that will bless others!Just like Jesus, He came to this planet earth to become a blessing to all of us because He obeyed what Father and He focused in His purpose and He finished His assignment. God bless to all!
In Christ,
Maria
======= Pat:
i was reading Ramona’s comment above and know what its like to rebel and not want to forgive folks who are evil, and play the part your given. By my disobedience all kinds of folks get weaved and tangled up in the mix and then others suffer for the mess you’ve made, you suffer most of all. Its better to release whoever harmed u or those you care about and let know have his way. You never know why He allowed the assyians to be so wicked to Isreal, sometimes God uses bad things for a good reason. Also God wants harmony and also you have to accept the part or instrument you’ve been asked to play not copy someone you think is better then you , wanting to be someone else then who God has asked you to be.
I mean let God handle it, He knows how to do it better then you anyway. So if you try to get even like Jonah did by running he really wanted God to judge them. He didn’t want God to grant them mercy, b/c he hated them and wanted them to suffer for what they did. If shows us what Can happen to us for being mad and someone else who harmed us and how we need to let it go. Because God may actually want to release them from the debt and anyway God ended up judging Ninevah down the line anyway. So Jonah was wasting his time being mad, and an opportunity to grant them grace and an opportunity to repent. God is gracious, so I mean He wants everyone to get saved even the most wicked among us.
Pat
====== Calypso:
Ramona:
I love .. LOVE this:
“In music, harmony does not mean that everyone sings the same notes at the same time. As each person focuses on their notes and lines, those who listen don’t hear the one singer, they hear all the voices.”
Calypso
======== Patricia:
To make this story even more amazing is that we have no reason to believe that it was a whale that swallowed Jonah, as we are only told that it is a fish, and whales are not fish. How big a fish would it take to swallow a man?? Or is it more amazing? Would have to check, but suspect that the throat of a whale who feeds on fish is smaller than the throat of a shark who takes on larger prey??? Would appreciate comments from others on this.
Patricia
======= Bob:
Patricia: Try googling something like: “Men swallowed by fish” or using bible.org or ask.com. Personally, I think it is God’s way of being sensational. Look at how many people this idea has intrigued – especially kids!
Jonah is such a great story I wish we could honker down on it for a few days. There are such noticeable parallels with the Jewish mindset of the day like keeping Yahweh for themselves. Or how about our own idol worship – that lovely vine that made Jonah so happy? (Vs.4:6) I love the Nineveh revival probably the biggest in recorded history where even the animals were “converted”. Notice at the end, God’s concern for the livestock (animals) of the world. Reference: Exodus 23:4-5,10.
Revelation 5. I really enjoy reading this out loud. Here we get an insight to the centrality of Christ as it is shown through Bible History. Vs 9 – “…every tribe and language and people and nation” (Reference: Gen 12:1-3 and Ephesians 3:4-5). Also how the chorus of praise grows….many angels…every creature….the 4 living creatures….the elders worshiped.
Bob
====== Patricia:
Bob, Would it lose its intrigue if we quoted fish instead of whale as it is written? I am not doubting the story itself, but have heard people comment when the term whale is used and they take it as an indication that we ourselves don’t really believe what is actually written.
Patricia
======== Jane:
I love the book of Jonah. I never realized how he did not care enough to save Ninevah because he felt they were so bad! How many times do we say. ” oh he won’t change or they can’t change?” We have an amazing God . Nobody is beyond reproach nor is any of us beyond redemption! If God asks you to do something . Do it. Get the focus off yourself and be serving not self serving. What a life for Jonah to say ” I would rather die” of course we all feel like that at times but every day is a gift from God. To say that is dissening what God gave you! Don’t run from God run to Him!
Jane
====== Patty:
I understand there are many translations of the scriptures. A whale has been defined as a mamm al nit a fish. Also, in Genesis, Eve ate fruit not described as an apple. Merry Christmas,
Patty
======= Doug:
I have a book by pastor Timothy Keller titled The Prodigal Prophet. God’s mercy to Jonah is available for us today also
Doug
======== Karen:
Jonah and the whale seems all too familiar. The central truth remains so relevant to our lives. The hardships we face often time are the very things that save us from destruction. I pray that I will not shy away from His calling and embrace the Lord chastising whenever it is rendered for our good.
Karen
======= Robert:
JONAH
The Vine
I could camp on Jonah for awhile. It’s one of those Sunday School Stories that captures the imagination and wonder kids have, and lasts a lifetime. I love the Veggie Tales version; imagine a stick of asparagus giving us this profound story from God.
So my focus is the vine that God gave Jonah at the end of his task in 4:6. “Then the Lord God provided a vine and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the vine.”
God shows the idolatry (2:8) in Jonah heart but the prophet doesn’t get it. He doesn’t see his sin and that God exposed it so he might repent of it. Tulian Tchividjian (Running from Grace), says, Idolatry is building our identity around something other than God. His idol becomes his ethnicity and calling as a prophet, says John Botkin.net (Idolatry). Swindoll comes right out and calls Jonah a pathetic narcissist. A good look at God’s revival and maybe different from our thoughts are 9 points shared on Wretched.org Episode 2145 October 2017. 1. The conversions numbered in the 100,000. 2. No signs of wonder i.e. No Healing. 3. Poor preaching. 4. Preacher was no one special. 5. Content of preaching was wrath and judgment, not mercy and grace. 6. No big show. 7. The event was unscheduled. 8. No prayer meeting. 9. Evidence of revival was brokenness over sin. (For us that is the Gospel).
Our question (mine) is whether I have allowed God to expose my idols? Is there a place in my life where I need God to act in compassion and grace? As Jonah I feel that I am not qualified to bring the Gospel to others. I worship the same idol. I am not sure but I am putting a lot of faith in hearing the Christmas Story in a different light this year. I am asking God to help me come to terms with His generosity of Boundless Love.
Robert
======= Nancy:
I wonder what condition Jonah was in after being inside of a great marine animal. I imagine there was stomach acid swirling around. What damage that could do to him. I imagine his skin was damaged & unsightly. He’d look hideous. People would notice his appearance & stop to gape at him. Then as Jonah preached they believed & repented. Just my imagination not scripture.
Nancy
Leave a Reply