Interpretive Commentary on Jonah PDF

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LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY

Old Testament Exegetical Commentary of Jonah

Submitted to Dr. Richard Fuhr in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of the course

OBST 520 - DO1 Old Testament Orientation 11

by

Barbara Ladson May 03, 2020

Introduction The whole picture of Jonah and the whale is a well-known children story by most kids, even those who did not attend Sunday school somehow learn about the whale swallow Jonah. Normally this fascinates kids with excitement just to listen about a fish swallowing a man. The book of Jonah represent the fifth of 12 the Minor Prophets, and the most popular book among them all because of its fascinated story of the "big fish." The Book of Jonah is not a collection of prophecy oracles but primarily a narrative about a man. The Jonah name means “dove.” He was a prophet of God who flees from God’s summons to prophesy against the wickedness of Nineveh. He was the son of Amittai from Gath Hepher (2 Kings 14:25), from the tribe of Zebulun (Josh. 19:10, 13). The author is unknown because the book is written in a third person (cf. Jonah 1:3, 5, 9, 12; 2:1; 3:4; 4:1, 5, 8-9). The presentation of this paper will outline each chapter of the book on Jonah's encounter with God after refusing to deliver the message to Nineveh, the violent storm, in the whale's belly, repented and survived, God's deliver message and the repentance of Nineveh. Historical Background The book of Jonah gives a historical background of his life as a prophet who God punished for refusing to preach against the wickedness of Nineveh. As a result, he was swallowed by a fish and later preached in Nineveh, which result in a city-wide revival. “Jonah preach during the reign of Jeroboam II, who was seen as the most powerful king in the Northern Kingdom at that time (cf. 2 Kings 14:23-29).”1 Most scholars argue that the various elements in the book are too fantastic to be anything but fiction. However, Jesus testified of the story been historical. “Even 1

Ibid.

though Jesus spoke of the event to be true, yet they assumed its still authenticity when he spoke of Jonah’s ordeal in the belly of the fish and contrasted the repentant Ninevites with the unbelieving generation of his day (see Matt. 12"39-42; Luke 11:29-32)."2 Prevailing Conditions Jonah was sent to Nineveh by God to warn them of their wickedness, but he refuses to deliver the message. Jonah knows God to be a merciful and forgiving God, and he was scared God would pardon their sins. Nineveh city was idolatrous and worshiped foreign gods, and Jonah felt that they did not deserve to get mercy. Main Characters In the Book of Jonah, the main characters are God, Jonah, the fish, and the people of Nineveh Argument The book of Jonah exhibits God’s longing to show His mercy and compassion on Nineveh, also it is not God's will that anyone should perish, but all have the opportunity to repent and turn from their sins.

. Purpose

2

Robert B. Chisholm, Jr., Handbook on the Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Minor Prophets, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Baker Academic, 2002, 407.

The purpose of the book depicts the larger scope of God's purpose for Israel. Hoping they will discover the truth of God concern for his people and that they will better understand their own role in carrying out that concern. Key Verse When God saw the people turn from their sins and from their wicked ways, he withdraw His impending judgment and save the city. (3:10 NIV). Major Themes The major themes are disobedience and revival. Jonah's in the belly of the whale. Jonah prayer of repentance. His disobedience leads to his revival. Jonah converts a three days journey into a one day journey. His revival changed the people of Nineveh, which bought a great revival of all time to Nineveh.

Outline 1. Jonah disobeyed God's Instruction (1:1-17) a. Jonah Flee from God-------------------------------------------------------1:1-3 b. The Raging Storm-----------------------------------------------------------1:4-6 c. Lot Fell on Jonah-----------------------------------------------------------1:7-10 d. The Sailors fear God------------------------------------------------------1:11-16 e. Jonah Consume by a Fish----------------------------------------------------1:17

2. Jonah’s Penitence and Deliverance (2:1-10) a. Jonah Prayer and thanksgiving-------------------------------------------2:1-9

b. The Fish Spews out Jonah--------------------------------------------------2:10

3. Jonah Submitted to His Mission (3:1-10) a. Jonah prophesied to Nineveh---------------------------------------------3:1-4 b. The Ninevites submit to God and repent------------------------------3:5-10

4. Jonah Complain of God’s Compassion (4:1-11) a. Jonah upset with God---------------------------------------------------4:1-4 b.

God reprimand Jonah-----------------------------------------------------4:5-9

c.

God teach Jonah a lesson---------------------------------------------4:10-11

5. Conclusion

Chapter 1 Jonah Disobey God’s Instruction (Jonah 1:1-17) Jonah was sent to Nineveh by God to warn them of His impended judgment if they did not turn from their evil lifestyle. Jonah refuses to deliver the message to Nineveh because they were wicked, worship foreign gods, and an enemy to Israel. So instead of going to Nineveh, he boards a ship to Tarshish, which was in the opposite direction. Soon after, he boarded the ship, a dreadful storm develop that causes the sailors to cast lots which fell upon Jonah, so Jonah permitted them to throw him overboard. When they finally did, there was a calm in the storm, and God prepares a “big fish” to swallowed Jonah. Jonah stay in the fish belly three days and three nights, he repented in the belly of the fish, and God delivers him.

Jonah Flee from God (1:1-3) God sent Jonah to prophesy against the wickedness of Nineveh because their sins had drawn God’s attention. “Nineveh was involved in idolatrous living and the worship of foreign gods”3 So instead of delivering the message to Nineveh as God had instructed him, he chooses to flee to Tarshish. Jonah was selfish and felt that Nineveh did not deserve God’s mercy.). The Raging Storm (1:4-6) Due to Jonah's disobedience, God allowed a raging storm to develop at sea. The storm was so powerful, intents, and threaten that sailors got scared, and each sailor began to cry out to their gods because they were pagan worshipers from a different nation. Not getting any result from their gods, they began to throw the cargos overboard, hoping by lighten the ship would bring them to shore safely. While all this was happening, Jonah was asleep at the bottom of the ship, all unconcern. So the captain of the ship went to Jonah and asked him to call upon his God seen their God cannot help them, then maybe Jonah God can save from death.”4

Lot Fell on Jonah (1:7-10) Seen that the storm would not subside, the sailors decided to cast lots to determine who could be the cause of the storm. The sailors believed that by casting lots would identify who’s

3 John MacArthur, The MacArthur Bible Commentary, Nashville, Tennessee, Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2005, 1008. 4 Edward E. Hindson and Daniel R. Mitchell, Zondervan KJV Commentary: Old Testament, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Zondervan, 2010, 1146.

gods were angry with them. “Jonah was discovered to because of the storm because he was fleeing from God’s presence.”5 The Sailors Fear God (1:11-16) The fear of the Lord came upon the sailors after hearing Jonah's story of running from his God (Jonah's God). The sailors realized that Jonah God is true and living and that he is real. They wanted the angry God to stop the storm, so they asked Jonah what should do. Jonah told them he was the reason for the storm, and if they throw him overboard, the storm will stop. The sailors were ascendant in making Jonah's request by trying to make it to shore, but the storm got worse. Then they cried out to the God of Jonah not to hold them accountable for the death of Jonah. Then they throw Jonah overboard, and the sea became calm. The sailor fears the God of Jonah and offered sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him. Jonah Consume by a Fish (1:17) Even though Jonah was running from the Lord, however, God was merciful on Jonah by providing a great fish to swallow him. God insisted that Jonah must deliver the message to Nineveh, and that is why He rescue Jonah. Jonah spends three gays and three nights in the belly of the fish.

Chapter 2 Jonah’s Penitence and Deliverance (Jonah 2:1-10)

5

William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary, Nashville, Tennessee, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Inc., 1995, 1128.

In the stomach of the fish, Jonah repented of his sin. He realizes God's mercy and prayed a penitent prayer and thanksgiving. In his prayer, he acknowledges God's sovereignty and the depravity of his distress. In verse 3 and 4, Jonah shows a change of heart and accepted his mission and seek God's presence once again to be with him as he delivered the message to Nineveh. God heard Jonah’s cry and caused the fish to have an upset stomach, which allows the fish to vomited Jonah on dry land. In his, deliverance Jonah acknowledges that salvation comes from the Lord. Jonah Prayer and Thanksgiving Thanks (2:1-9) In his distress, Jonah prayed a prayer of repentance and thanksgiving and called it “the belly of hell.” In verse five, he describes how he was engulfed with water threatened him, the deep surrounded him, and seaweed wrapped around his head so Jonah. Jonah felt forsaken of the Lord; however, he believes God would deliver him anyhow. So he offered sacrifices of praise to God and thanksgiving. In verse 9, Jonah acknowledges that "salvation comes from the Lord." Jonah’s Deliverance (2:10) After Jonah cried out to God in a spirit of remorse and penitence, God allows the fish to have an upset stomach and vomited Jonah on dry land.

Chapter 3 Jonah Submitted to His Mission (Jonah 3:1-10)

God gave Jonah the warning a second time (1:1; 3:1), and Jonah receives it in obedience. Instead of been selfish against Nineveh this time, he did not hesitate but proceed with the warning. It took Jonah three days to deliver the message to the Ninevites because it was a great city. However, he let the people know that in forty days, their city will be destroyed if they don't repent of their sins. The Ninevites believe God's word of God and proclaim a fast and everyone from the greatest to the least; even the king removes his robe and fasts too. Nineveh repented and turned from their sins. When God saw that they turn from their evil ways, He revokes the destruction He had threatened Nineveh. Jonah prophesied to the Ninevites (3:1-4) God gave Jonah a second chance to warn Nineveh of His impending judgment. With obedience, he delivered the message to Nineveh. Although it took him three days to get the message to the Ninevites because the city was very large, but he did it prophesied to the people. Letting them know if they did turn from their sins, God is going to destroy Nineveh. Nineveh submit to God and Repented (3:5-10) After Jonah delivers the message to Nineveh of God's impending judgment, the people accepted the warning and repented. The Ninevites proclaim a fast and everyone from the greatest to the least. Even the king took off his robe and joined the people in sackcloth. The king also made a decree that all animals herds and flocks should not be feed. That means they too should be on fast covered with sackcloth. When God saw that the people repented with remorse and turned from their evil ways, He revokes the destruction He had threatened to destroy Nineveh. Chapter 4 Jonah Complain of God’s Compassion (Jonah 4:1-11)

Chapter four gives an outline of God’s mercy to His people. It also reveals Jonah's selfishness of what God should do to Nineveh for his (Jonah) satisfaction. God save Nineveh because of their penitent repentance, but Jonah was upset with God. Ninevites refuse to worship God, and worship foreign gods, with idolatrous living. Therefore Jonah did not want God to spare their lives or give them a second chance. Jonah was so upset that he wanted to die, and God tasked, "Is it right for you to be angry.” However, Jonah went and sat down at the east side of the city, waiting to see what was going to happen to Nineveh. Then, merciful God provided a leafy plant to shade Jonah’s head from his discomfort, and he was delighted, but by the next morning, destroyed by a worm sent by God. Again Jonah was angry and want to die, but God still had mercy on Jonah.

Jonah upset with God (4:1-4) Jonah was upset with God because of His mercy towards Nineveh. He felt that they did not desire mercy because of their wickedness and rejecting God. Jonah was so upset with God that he (Jonah) wanted to die rather than see the Ninevites' lives spare. God Reprimand Jonah (4:5-9) Jonah was angry with God because He spares the Ninevites' lives. Jonah sits on the east side of the city, waiting to see Nineveh destroyed, and God had to reprimand him. Even though Jonah was angry and still was waiting to see the city destroyed, God provided a leafy plant to shade him, and he was delighted. However, by the next morning, God sent a worm to destroy the plant, and Jonah became angry again and want to die. God Teach Jonah a Lesson (4:10-11)

God gives grace or mercy to whomsoever He chooses; therefore, Jonah been anger because God shows mercy to Nineveh was very selfish of Jonah. So God shading Jonah with the leafy plant then dry it up the next morning was a lesson taught to Jonah. Also, he has pity for a plant of which he had no connection is just mere likeness self-pity. His inconsiderate reaction explains the reason for God's compassion for the people of Nineveh. Also, God wanted him to know that the people of Nineveh are the creation, and He (God) just like He cares about him (Jonah). This shows that Jonah cares about a plant that has no knowledge of how it is grown or how it dies rather than the souls of 120,000 who is living Nineveh, who need to repent of their sins.

Conclusion In conclusion, the Book of Jonah is about the prophet Jonah who was commission by God to prophesy to Nineveh against their wickedness because there sin as gone up into God’s face. The people of Nineveh were wicked; they rejected God, and worship foreign gods and committed idolatrous lifestyles. Jonah did not want to go because he fears they would reject his message and take him into captivity. Jonah knows that God is merciful and compassionate, and he did not want God to spare because they were evil. Jonah refuses to go Nineveh deliver the message as God commanded him. Rather, he boards a ship to Tarshish, which is in the opposite direction to Nineveh. So God develops a raging storm, which causes the sailors to throw Jonah overboard. By doing so, the storm became calm, and God provided a fish to swallow Jonah. Jonah was in the fish belly of the fish three days and three nights. Jonah prayed a prayer of repentance and gave thanks to God. Then God allows the fish to vomit Jonah on dry land.

Jonah went Nineveh and deliver the message as God commanded him. Nineveh repented and fast in sackcloth, and God had compassion on them and withdrew his judgment, and Nineveh was saved.

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content/uploads/2016/04/header_logo.svg. Accessed September 6, 2018. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/jonah-1/. Walvoord, John F, and Zuck, Roy B. “The Bible Knowledge Commentary.” Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 1985./ Jonah Sasson, Jack M. Jonah: “A New Translation with Introduction, Commentary, and Interpretation.” New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2010. Whitehead, Daniel, Thomas P. Scheck, and Thomas P. Scheck. "Commentary on Jonah." In Ancient Christian Texts: Commentaries on the Twelve Prophets: Volume 1, edited by Thomas P. Scheck. InterVarsity Press, 2016. http://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login? url=https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/ivpotpv/commentary_on_jon ah/0?institutionId=5072 Mitchell, Hinckley G., John M. Powis Smith, and Julius A. Bewer. Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi and Jonah. “International Critical Commentary.” London: Bloomsbury Publishing (UK), 1999. Accessed September 10, 2018. http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.5040/9781472556073. Smith, Billy K., and Frank S. Page. “New International Version, The New American Commentary, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah.” Nashville Ten.: Broadman & Holman, 1995. Sherwood, Yvonne. A Biblical Text and its Afterlives: The Survival of Jonah in Western Culture. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2000. Nasuti, Harry P. Defining the Sacred Songs: Genre, Tradition and the Post-Critical Interpretation of the Psalms. Journal for the Study of the Old Testament Supplement Series 218. Sheffield, U.K.: Sheffield Academic Press, 1999. Strawn, Brent A. "Jonah's Sailors and Their Lot Casting: A Rhetorical-Critical Observation," Biblica 91 (2010): 66–76. Wolff, Hans Walter. Obadiah and Jonah: A Commentary. Translated by Margaret Kohl. Contentinal Commentaries. Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1986...