Synopsis: Jonah

Organisation of the synopsis 


The Writer 

Jonah was the only Old Testament prophet sent to a foreign land to warn the people of Nineveh about God’s displeasure with the nation. In today’s language, he will be known as a missionary. Jonah also ministered in Israel during the reign of Jeroboam 11 (793-753 BC), see 2 Kings 14:25. 


Key Verse 


Jonah 4:11 And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?


The Old Testament mainly concerns the welfare of the Jewish nation and the Gentiles are seldom mentioned. The key verse clearly reveals God’s welfare for the Gentiles in His plan. When the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ was preached, God’s plan for the Gentiles was manifested, wholly agreeing with the key verse that God’s plan includes the Gentiles.  


Ephesians 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs , and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel. 


Main Theme 

Jonah's period of time in the fish's belly (Jonah 1:17) typifies the Lord’s time in the grave for 3 days and 3 nights.  


Many critics question the ability of Jonah to survive 3 days and nights in the belly of a fish. Naturally, I think it is not possible. However, it is vain for anyone to find how Jonah could survive in the fish's belly for such a long period of time. It is a miracle by God. Similarly, it is impossible, naturally, for a dead person to be resurrected. God miraculously raised the Lord Jesus from the dead after 3 days and 3 nights. 


The ordeal that Jonah went through teaches him to submit to God’s instructions and the futility of going against the omnipotent Creator. We trust this historical lesson can be learnt by everyone to avoid defiance against the Lord’s instructions. 


Spiritual and Life teachings 


1) Meekness of mind when we come to the Lord Jesus Christ 


The event of Jonah in the fish's belly reminds us not to reason everything with our natural mind. The Lord Jesus has amply manifested himself in His miracles and mortals should not repeatedly question His ability and the veracity of His words. No one can fully understand how Christians can be resurrected in their bodily form when the rapture takes place, 1 Thess 4:16-17.


It is vain to interpret everything based on our physical understanding. We have to admit that our understanding of things in the world is so infinitely small. The recent pandemic humbles us to admit that after all these years of “advancement” a tiny virus called Covid 19 can cause havoc to the world. Faith and humility of the mind are necessary to approach God. 


2) Execution of God’s instruction 

Jonah’s resistance against God’s instruction to preach in Nineveh is not peculiar to him only. We are right to judge that Jonah is a willful person. Despite God’s clear command to go to Nineveh, he went in the opposite direction.


When we reflect on ourselves, what should we say when a clear instruction in the Bible (which is God’s direct word) is being ignored? Are we also like Jonah? The Lord says in Mark 16:15 to go and preach the Gospel and yet some souls closest to us have yet to hear the Gospel.


All of us must take heed to this command and strive to witness to folks near us, such as our relatives and friends. We should not think that the mission field exists only in some faraway land.


3) Avoiding racist tendencies

The nonchalant attitude of Jonah towards the salvation of the Gentiles discloses his selfish racial attitude. He is only concerned about the Jews, his people, and he does not care much about the salvation of other nationalities. God’s commission to Jonah drives home the point that God’s salvation is for everyone in the world. Racism is one of the world’s greatest evils. Christian doctrines enshrine the equality of all races and do not distinguish the superiority of anyone. God loves all races equally.


When we read the Bible from Genesis to Revelations, we are taught that every race stems from Adam. In like manner, the offer of salvation is given to every nation through the second Adam, our Lord Jesus Christ. Praise to Him! 


John 3:16 

For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  


Let us do our part to carry out God’s will. 


With God’s blessings, 

CL 

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Dreadful Subject: Death

Image
1 Co rinthians 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?    It has been my desire to write about this subject for some time. Knowing it is somehow socially unpleasant, I procrastinated but the mystery shrouding makes me believe that this subject is of interest to many.   The inescapable reality of death compels every rational individual to contemplate the possibility of existence beyond it. If indeed there exists an afterlife, our actions on Earth should be guided by the anticipation of this subsequent phase of existence. It is my aspiration that this article may offer solace to many and bring closure to the pervasive question that lingers in the minds of all.   Death is mystifying because despite the  abundance of accounts recounting near-death experiences (NDE),  many people are not convinced that such experiences of life after death is the truth. Critics tend to dismiss such encounters as mere hallucinations or, at best, extraordinary exceptions that
Read more

Synopsis: Habakkuk

Image
The writer    Little is known of the author and the date of this writing. The meaning of his name is ‘to hug or embrace ’. On the date of his writing, we can infer that it was during the time the Chaldeans, also known as Babylonians, when they were about to invade Judah, Hab 1:6. This would place the writing sometime in BC 612 (fall of Nineveh) and BC 605 (first attack on Judah).   Habakkuk is unique as it is not written to a particular people but expresses the prophet sadness over the state of affairs in the society he lives.      Key verse   Hab 2:3  For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.    Habakkuk found deep anguish in witnessing the sins of the people in Judah and was equally troubled by Babylon's ruthless treatment of those they conquered. In his distress, he turned to the Lord, seeking a resolution. In the key verse, the Lord tells him that t
Read more

Synopsis: Nahum

Image
The writer    The book of Nahum was penned after the Assyrians triumphed over the Northern Kingdom in 722 BC. The name Nahum itself holds the meaning of "comforted," reflecting his role as a minister to the southern kingdom of Judah.       Nahum's prophetic message revolved around the imminent downfall of Nineveh. This prophecy brought solace to the inhabitants of Judah who endured constant harassment from the Assyrians following the collapse of the Northern Kingdom. The Assyrians' relentless aggressions against Judah were documented in 2 Kings 18:13-15. In due course , Nahum's prophecy found fulfillment when the Babylonians conquered the Assyrians, resulting in the capture of Nineveh in 612 BC.   Key verse   Nahum 1:7  The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.    During Nahum's ministry, the people of Judah endured brutal aggression from the Assyrians. In the midst of their suffering, the verse mentioned
Read more