Read Jonah 3:1-4 – Jonah Obeys
1. Compare Jonah 1:2 with Jonah 3:2.
2. Compare Jonah 1:3 with Jonah 3:3a.
a. Consider the multiple steps taken by Jonah the first time God spoke to him. Now look at the simplicity of Jonah’s response when given a second chance. Can you make an application to your own life? We sure can make things complicated!
b. Consider the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites. They had come to the edge of the promised land, but because of their disobedience, they were turned around to wander in the wilderness for 40 years. They could have taken a straight path directly into the promised land. Jonah did the
same. In obedience he could have taken a straight path to Nineveh, but instead, in disobedience, he wandered around in a ship, in the sea, in a fish, and onto dry land. Eventually Jonah made it to Nineveh. Describe your path to where you are today? Have you been on the path of obedience? Or have you been wandering around in disobedience?
– Prov. 3:5-6 gives us great instruction on how to stay on the straight path. What do you see?
– What more can we glean from the following Psalms: Ps. 5:8, Ps. 16:11, Ps 25:4?
3. We read in Jonah 3:3b that the great city of Nineveh was a three days journey in extent. It either took three days to walk across Nineveh, or it took three days to walk around it. It could also mean that it would take three days to visit all of the area of Nineveh. Regardless of how we interpret this, it is clear that Nineveh was a significant place. Remembering that Nineveh was a wicked Gentile city, how do you picture Jonah as he begins to speak God’s words as we read in verse 4?
4. God gave the Ninevites a 40 day warning. What does this tell you about your God? Can you list other verses to support this?
5. The word “overthrown” in verse 4 is the same word used in Gen. 19:25 and Lam. 4:6. To what are these verses referring? What was the result of this act of overthrowing?
Read Jonah 3:5 – The Ninevites Respond
1. Seeing the response of the people, aside from the words of Jonah’s message recorded in verse 4, what else might Jonah’s message included?
2. The people of Nineveh believed God and though the word repent is not included in the text, we see by their actions that they indeed repented. Repentance begins with believing God. As we believe Him and His word, we have the power to transform our lives as He wills. You can do many other things associated with repentance, but if they do not begin with believing on and trusting God, they are all useless works of the flesh. – Guzik What does repentance look like in your life?
3. Repentance requires action. When repentance comes, something has to change. In the case of the Ninevites, how was their repentance demonstrated? How did this represent a heart of repentance?
Read Jonah 3:6-9 – The King Repents
1. According to verse 5, who were the first to respond to Jonah’s message? Then who followed suit after hearing the word?
2. The king had the ability to influence the entire city, and he did. Describe the decrees of the king’s proclamation from these verses:
a. 7b
b. 8a
c. 8b (note the word “turn”)
3. (Vs 9) When we repent, we are putting our hope in the mercy and love of God. What did the Ninevites hope for in their repentance?
4. Jonah’s message to the Ninevites was very effective. Maybe it was boldness. Maybe in his humility God made him strong. Maybe it was his appearance after spending 3 days in the big fish’s gastric juices. But consider this: Jonah could more effectively preach the message of repentance because he knew his own need to repent and was himself a model of repentance (Jonah 2:8-9). Being a repentant sinner didn’t disqualify Jonah from preaching repentance; it made his preaching all the more effective.
– Guzik How might this apply to your life?
Read Jonah 3:10 – God Responds to Repentance
1. At the repentance of the Ninevites, God relented from destroying them. Did God change His mind? Did their repentance force God to change plans for them? Not at all! What do we learn from Jer. 18:7-8?
2. The Ninevites got a second chance. They repented of their wicked ways and God gave them the chance to do better. Have you been given second chances? And did you use that chance for good?
3. The Ninevites did not use their second chance for good. With their repentance, God delayed over-throwing them for 150 years – 150 years of long-suffering because God desires that none would perish. Because of their continued wickedness, God sent another prophet to warn Nineveh of pending doom, the prophet Nahum. But the people did not heed the warning. They did not repent.