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We are

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Jonah 1:1-3

Context is foundational to rightfully and faithfully dividing the Word of God!

1. Written between 8th and 3rd century B.C.

2. Author not specified, but Jonah himself was likely the foundational source of this book.

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Jonah 1:1-3

3. The book of Jonah is one of 12 books of the Minor Prophets.

4. The purpose of the book is to engage the readers, both Jew and Gentile to think deeply of the compassionate character of God and to bring about self-reflection of their own compassion.

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Jonah 1:1

“Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,”

• He is the God who initiates

– Romans 3:10-11

– “The secret of the quest lies not in our brilliance but in His grace.” Os Guiness

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Jonah 1:1Who is Jonah?

1. A prophet of God– “Visionary” or “Seer”

• One who has the ability to see things that God wanted in the present and/or future.

• Example: 1 Samuel 9– “To announce”

• One whose job was to be a spokesman.• Example: Exodus 7:1

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Jonah 1:1Who is Jonah?

2. “Dove”

– Hosea 7:10-11

– Silly and Senseless

3. “Son of Amittai”

– Son of my Faithfulness

– God remains faithful even as Jonah does not

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Jonah 1:1

Who is Jonah?

4. From Gath-Hepher

– Town outside of Nazareth in the tribe of Zebulun

5. Prophesied during the reign of King Jeroboam II(782-753 BC)

– 2 Kings 14:23-25

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Jonah 1:1-32 Kings 14:26-27

Compassion: Sympathetically looking upon plight / distress and desiring to alleviate it

– Jonah experienced God’s compassion firsthand for the people of Israel

– Jonah is a spokesman and vessel for God’s mercy and compassion

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Jonah 1:2

“Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before Me.”

1. Emphatic Command! GET UP!!

– A call to immediate action

– The God who initiates is also the God who motivates!

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Jonah 1:2

“Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before Me.”

2. Nineveh

– “Great City”

• Great City of Power

• Great City of Size

• Great City of Sin54

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Jonah 1:2

“Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before Me.”

3. God is calling Jonah to go to proclaim judgment upon it.

4. Evil = “Ra’ah” = Disaster

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Jonah 1:1-3

Go and Preach

A Great Commission

– Jonah is given a Great Commission to go forward and to preach of God to these pagan Ninevites.

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Jonah 1:3

“But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD.”

– This is a TRAGIC “But”

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Jonah 1:1-3Where, How, What and Why

Where?

– Joppa

• Port in Philistia

– Tarshish

• Located west across the Mediterranean Sea

• Place of Affluence/Riches– 1 Kings 10:22; 22:48, Ps. 48; Ps. 72

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Jonah 1:1-3

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Jonah 1:1-3

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Jonah 1:1-3

Where, How, What and Why

What is he running away from?

– The Presence of God

– You can’t run from God!

• Psalm 139:7-10

• Genesis 3:8

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Jonah 1:1-3Where

How

What

and

Why?

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Jonah 1:1-3

Why did Jonah try to run away from God and His command?

1. His knowledge of God’s character

2. Jonah hated Nineveh

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Jonah 1:1-3

Do you want what you deserve from a Holy and Righteous God?

Do you want others to get what they deserve from a Holy and Righteous God?

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Jonah 1:1-3

WE ARE JONAH

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Jonah 1:1-3Application

Are you running from God today?

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