Bible Chapter: Jonah 1 & 2

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
God gave Jonah a command to go to the wicked city of Nineveh and tell them of God’s impending judgement. Many people think Jonah went there to preach, but his message was one of God’s judgement.  Jonah was rebellious and got on a ship going the other way.  The book says he was hoping to escape from the Lord.  How can anyone do that?  God sent a major storm to the sea and eventually, after much discussion with the sailors on the ship, Jonah convinced them to throw him into the water.  The storm died immediately and the sailors, who were not believers, were shocked.  Jonah got divine transportation in the stomach of a great fish.  I find it interesting that chapter two starts out with “Then Jonah prayed to the Lord”.  Yes, God got his attention.  Yes, Jonah started listening to God.  God told the fish to vomit Jonah on the shore.  He had to be a real mess at that time.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
This is one of the best-known Bible stories.  Jonah just didn’t like what God told him to do.  He didn’t like the Ninevites.  He didn’t like that fact that God is so gracious that He could actually forgive them.  He thought he could just ignore God and go his own direction.  He had a major awakening when God got his attention.  Being swallowed by a fish would do that.  Doing what God wants is always the best.  Stubbornness won’t win out over God.

3.  How can I help someone?
Know that God cares about all people.  Yes, He will judge sin, but His greatest desire is that people will listen to what He has to say and repent.  That is always good advice to repent.