Miracles

O. T. #2175  "Miracles"

April 21, 2022

Summary of Jonah

 

I came across 10 miracles in the book of Jonah which God did:

1. The LORD sent out a great wind on the sea. (1:4)
2. The lot fell on Jonah. (1:7)
3. The sea ceased from its raging. (1:15)
4. The LORD had prepared a great fish... (1:17)
5. ...To swallow Jonah alive. (1:17)
6. The LORD spake to the fish...it vomited Jonah onto dry land. (2:10)
7. God saw their works...they turned from their evil way. (3:10)
8. The LORD prepared a plant. (4:6)
9. God prepared a worm. (4:7)
10. God prepared a vehement east wind. (4:8)

[Resource: The MacArthur Bible Commentary]

The primary challenge is whether the book is to be interpreted as historical narrative, an allegory/parable, or it actually happened. Jesus did not teach this story as a parable, but as an actual account firmly rooted in history. It is found in Matthew 12:38-41, 16:4; Luke 11:29-32.

A greater than Jonah came-Jesus. In contrast:

• Jesus is greater in His person, for He is the very Son of God. Jonah was just a man.
• Jesus' message is one of grace and salvation. Jonah preached a message of judgment.
• Jesus willingly died for the sins of the world. (1 John 2:2) Jonah almost died for his own sins.
• Jesus' ministry is the Savior of the world, no just one city. (John 4:42) Jonah's ministry was to only one city.
• Jesus always did what pleased His Father, in obedience. (John 8:29) Jonah's obedience was not from the heart.
• Jesus had compassion for the sinners and proved His love by dying for them on the cross. (Rom. 5:6-8) Jonah didn't the people he came to share salvation.
• Jesus asked God to forgive those who killed Him. (Luke 23:34)Jonah waited outside the city to see if God would kill those he would not forgive.

The real issue is how we answer God's questions:

Do we agree with God that people without Christ are lost?

Like God, do we have compassion for those who are lost?

How do we show this compassion?

Are we concerned for those in great cities where there is so much sin and so little witness?

Do we pray the gospel will go to those people, in our community, in our neighborhood?

Are we willing to go and be a part in witnessing for Jesus?

Do we rejoice when sinners repent and trust in Jesus as their Savior?

[Resource: The Wiersbe Bible Commentary]

*Thank you friends for joining me in the study of Jonah. I hope you received the blessings as I did and searched your heart as I did.