On the first day of his journey, Jonah set out into the city and proclaimed, "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned!" On the first day of his journeyThis phrase marks the beginning of Jonah's mission in Nineveh. The immediacy of "the first day" suggests Jonah's obedience to God's command, contrasting with his earlier reluctance. The Hebrew word for "journey" (דֶּרֶךְ, derek) often implies a path or way, symbolizing not just a physical journey but a spiritual one. Jonah's journey is a testament to the transformative power of repentance and obedience, as he moves from rebellion to fulfilling God's will. Jonah set out into the city
Jonah's entry into Nineveh signifies his acceptance of God's mission. The act of "setting out" (וַיָּחֶל, vayachel) implies initiation and determination. Nineveh, a great city of the Assyrian Empire, was known for its size and wickedness. Archaeological findings reveal its grandeur and influence, underscoring the magnitude of Jonah's task. His willingness to enter such a formidable city highlights the courage and faith required to deliver God's message. and proclaimed
The Hebrew root for "proclaimed" (קָרָא, qara) means to call out or announce. Jonah's proclamation is not just a warning but an invitation to repentance. This act of proclaiming God's message is central to the prophetic role, emphasizing the importance of speaking truth to power. Jonah's voice becomes a conduit for divine intervention, reminding us of the power of God's word to transform hearts and societies. 'Forty more days
The number "forty" in the Bible often symbolizes a period of testing, trial, or judgment. It rained for forty days and nights during the flood, and Israel wandered for forty years in the desert. Here, "forty more days" represents a divine deadline for Nineveh to repent. This period is a grace-filled opportunity for transformation, illustrating God's patience and mercy even towards those who have strayed far from His ways. and Nineveh will be overturned!
The word "overturned" (נֶהְפָּכֶת, nehpaket) can mean destruction or transformation. While it initially suggests impending doom, it also leaves room for hope and change. Historically, Nineveh was known for its violence and idolatry, making it ripe for judgment. However, the potential for "overturning" also implies the possibility of repentance and renewal. This dual meaning underscores the prophetic message that God's judgment is not just punitive but redemptive, offering a chance for a new beginning. Persons / Places / Events 1. JonahA prophet of God who initially fled from God's command to go to Nineveh but was later given a second chance to fulfill his mission. 2. NinevehThe capital city of Assyria, known for its wickedness and idolatry. It was a large and influential city during Jonah's time. 3. Proclamation of JudgmentJonah's message to Nineveh was a warning of impending destruction due to their sins, emphasizing the urgency of repentance. Teaching Points The Power of ObedienceJonah's eventual obedience to God's command demonstrates the importance of aligning our actions with God's will, even when it is difficult. Urgency of RepentanceThe message of "forty more days" underscores the urgency with which we should approach repentance and turning back to God. God's Mercy and JusticeThe warning to Nineveh reveals God's justice in addressing sin but also His mercy in providing an opportunity for repentance. Impact of a Single VoiceJonah's proclamation shows how God can use one obedient person to bring about significant change and transformation. The Role of ProphetsJonah's mission highlights the role of prophets in delivering God's messages, serving as a bridge between God and His people. Bible Study Questions 1. What does Jonah's initial reluctance and eventual obedience teach us about responding to God's call in our own lives? 2. How does the account of Nineveh's impending judgment and opportunity for repentance reflect God's character as seen throughout the Bible? 3. In what ways can we apply the urgency of Jonah's message to Nineveh to our own need for repentance and spiritual renewal? 4. How does the response of Nineveh to Jonah's message challenge us in our own response to God's warnings and invitations? 5. What other biblical examples of repentance and divine mercy can we draw parallels to with the account of Jonah and Nineveh? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 19The account of Sodom and Gomorrah, where God also warned of impending destruction due to sin, highlighting the theme of divine judgment and mercy. Matthew 12:41Jesus refers to the repentance of Nineveh as a rebuke to the unrepentant generation of His time, showing the power of genuine repentance. 2 Peter 3:9This verse speaks of God's patience and desire for all to come to repentance, reflecting His character as seen in the account of Nineveh. People JonahPlaces Joppa, NinevehTopics Beginneth, Cried, Crying, Day's, Destruction, Enter, Forty, Jonah, Journey, Nineveh, Nin'eveh, Overtake, Overthrown, Overturned, Proclaimed, Proclaimeth, Started, Town, Walk, YetDictionary of Bible Themes Jonah 3:4 1075 God, justice of
1654 numbers, 11-99
5335 herald
7741 missionaries, task
7773 prophets, role Jonah 3:1-4 1431 prophecy, OT methods Jonah 3:1-9 7712 convincing Jonah 3:1-10 1055 God, grace and mercy
5426 news
7757 preaching, effects
8479 self-examination, examples Jonah 3:3-10 5345 influence Jonah 3:4-10 6027 sin, remedy for Library Threefold Repentance
'And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying, 2. Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee. 3. So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey. 4. And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall he overthrown. 5. So the people of Ninoveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureWho Can Tell?
With this by way of preface, I shall now somewhat turn aside from the narrative, to address myself to those who are trembling on account of sin and who are in the same position as the men of Nineveh, and like them anxiously desiring mercy. I shall notice briefly this morning three things. First, the miserable plight in which the men of Nineveh found themselves; secondly, the scanty reasons which they had for hope; and then, thirdly, I shall observe that we have stronger reasons to compel us to pray, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859 Of the Public Fast.
A public fast is when, by the authority of the magistrate (Jonah iii. 7; 2 Chron. xx. 3; Ezra viii. 21), either the whole church within his dominion, or some special congregation, whom it concerneth, assemble themselves together, to perform the fore-mentioned duties of humiliation; either for the removing of some public calamity threatened or already inflicted upon them, as the sword, invasion, famine, pestilence, or other fearful sickness (1 Sam. vii. 5, 6; Joel ii. 15; 2 Chron. xx.; Jonah iii. …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Whether it is Lawful for Religious to Wear Coarser Clothes than Others?
Objection 1: It would seem unlawful for religious to wear coarser clothes than others. For according to the Apostle (1 Thess. 5:22) we ought to "refrain from all appearance of evil." Now coarseness of clothes has an appearance of evil; for our Lord said (Mat. 7:15): "Beware of false prophets who come to you in the clothing of sheep": and a gloss on Apoc. 6:8, "Behold a pale horse," says: "The devil finding that he cannot succeed, neither by outward afflictions nor by manifest heresies, sends in advance …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Things Known or Declared Prophetically Can be False?
Objection 1: It would seem that things known or declared prophetically can be false. For prophecy is about future contingencies, as stated above (A[3] ). Now future contingencies may possibly not happen; else they would happen of necessity. Therefore the matter of prophecy can be false. Objection 2: Further, Isaias prophesied to Ezechias saying (Is. 38:1): "Take order with thy house, for thou shalt surely die, and shalt not live," and yet fifteen years were added to his life (4 Kings 20:6). Again …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether all are Bound to Keep the Fasts of the Church?
Objection 1: It would seem that all are bound to keep the fasts of the Church. For the commandments of the Church are binding even as the commandments of God, according to Lk. 10:16, "He that heareth you heareth Me." Now all are bound to keep the commandments of God. Therefore in like manner all are bound to keep the fasts appointed by the Church. Objection 2: Further, children especially are seemingly not exempt from fasting, on account of their age: for it is written (Joel 2:15): "Sanctify a fast," …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Concerning the Sacrament of Penance
In this third part I shall speak of the sacrament of penance. By the tracts and disputations which I have published on this subject I have given offence to very many, and have amply expressed my own opinions. I must now briefly repeat these statements, in order to unveil the tyranny which attacks us on this point as unsparingly as in the sacrament of the bread. In these two sacraments gain and lucre find a place, and therefore the avarice of the shepherds has raged to an incredible extent against …
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation Use to be Made of the Doctrine of Providence.
Sections. 1. Summary of the doctrine of Divine Providence. 1. It embraces the future and the past. 2. It works by means, without means, and against means. 3. Mankind, and particularly the Church, the object of special care. 4. The mode of administration usually secret, but always just. This last point more fully considered. 2. The profane denial that the world is governed by the secret counsel of God, refuted by passages of Scripture. Salutary counsel. 3. This doctrine, as to the secret counsel of …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
Discourse 7 "Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: And thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly." Matthew 6:16-18. 1. It has been the endeavour of Satan, from the beginning of the world, …
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions The Doctrines of Salvation A. Repentance. B. Faith. C. Regeneration. D. Justification. E. Adoption. F. Sanctification. G. Prayer.
THE DOCTRINES OF SALVATION. A. REPENTANCE. I. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DOCTRINE. II. THE NATURE OF REPENTANCE. 1. AS TOUCHING THE INTELLECT. 2. AFFECTING THE EMOTIONS. 3. WILL. a) Confess Sin. b) Forsake Sin. c) Turn to God. III. HOW REPENTANCE IS PRODUCED. 1. DIVINE SIDE. 2. HUMAN SIDE. 3. QUESTION OF MEANS. IV. RESULTS OF REPENTANCE. 1. GODWARD. 2. MANWARD. A. REPENTANCE. I. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DOCTRINE. The prominence given to the doctrine of Repentance in the Scriptures can hardly be overestimated. …
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible Of a Private Fast.
That we may rightly perform a private fast, four things are to be observed:--First, The author; Secondly, The time and occasion; Thirdly, The manner; Fourthly, The ends of private fasting. 1. Of the Author. The first that ordained fasting was God himself in paradise; and it was the first law that God made, in commanding Adam to abstain from eating the forbidden fruit. God would not pronounce nor write his law without fasting (Lev. xxiii), and in his law commands all his people to fast. So does our …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Unchangeableness of God
The next attribute is God's unchangeableness. I am Jehovah, I change not.' Mal 3:3. I. God is unchangeable in his nature. II. In his decree. I. Unchangeable in his nature. 1. There is no eclipse of his brightness. 2. No period put to his being. [1] No eclipse of his brightness. His essence shines with a fixed lustre. With whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.' James 1:17. Thou art the same.' Psa 102:27. All created things are full of vicissitudes. Princes and emperors are subject to …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Jonah
The book of Jonah is, in some ways, the greatest in the Old Testament: there is no other which so bravely claims the whole world for the love of God, or presents its noble lessons with so winning or subtle an art. Jonah, a Hebrew prophet, is divinely commanded to preach to Nineveh, the capital of the great Assyrian empire of his day. To escape the unwelcome task of preaching to a heathen people, he takes ship for the distant west, only to be overtaken by a storm, and thrown into the sea, when, by …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Jonah 3:4 NIVJonah 3:4 NLTJonah 3:4 ESVJonah 3:4 NASBJonah 3:4 KJV
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