If you don't
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translations.
DECEMBER 14
To see where Jonah fits with the other prophets and the history of the
OT, look at the chart at the end of this document, “Kings
of Judah and Israel and the Preexilic Prophets.”
Jonah 1-4
In
reading Jonah, I really don't have much to say about the story itself. It's
pretty straightforward. My thoughts have more to do with what the book of Jonah
was meant to say to his people and to us.
Think
about this. After the long and decisive years of ministry of Elijah and Elisha,
the northern kingdom experienced its best years. Jeroboam II reigned for 41
years, and Assyria, the rising star, was eaten up with internal problems. This
meant that everyone had peace and prosperity. So, what happened to the threats
of God's coming judgment to northern Israel, this very idolatrous and
rebellious nation? If I had been planning it, judgment would have fallen
immediately after Elisha died. Israel had been given enough patience, in my
opinion. Even so, I wouldn't have given them prosperity. I definitely wouldn't
have given them another 70 years before the hammer fell. What was God thinking?
What a testimony to His patience and mercy.
At
the beginning of Jeroboam's reign God sent three prophets to Israel who all
appeared at the same time. Hosea prophesied on and off for about 20 years. At
the same time God sent Amos who only preached for a short time, right before
the great earthquake. Notably, God said there would come a drought of His Word
in the land, and for 50 years, before the end of Israel, there was no prophet.
The people would have had to go south to Judah for the Word of God. That was
probably the plan.
And
then there was Jonah. Jonah is mentioned in 2 Kings 14:25, telling Jeroboam
that God would restore part of the old borders of Israel. In the book of Jonah,
Jonah's preaching wasn't even to Israel. Since we have the book of Jonah, we
know that Israel heard the story of what happened to Nineveh, but that wouldn't
have disturbed or convicted them. It would have just confirmed for Israel that
God didn't really mean business. So, what is the point of this story?
I
think the point of Jonah is what Jesus mentioned several times during His ministry.
The men of Nineveh will rise up at the
judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the
preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here (Matt.
12:41). Jonah became a sign of the resurrection and of God's judgment and
sovereign working. The men of Nineveh, by their repentance and response to the
Word, became a sign of judgment against the unbelief of Israel.
The
story of Jonah and Nineveh would have made people laugh, but behind the story
was a serious testimony and judgment against Israel. God sent a little known,
unwilling prophet to speak to this ungodly Gentile city. Assyria had
experienced deep problems. Historians say there was an outbreak of the black
plague that ravaged the city. They were now recovering and then Jonah arrives,
and these people saw the hand of God and repented. Gentiles, the uncircumcised,
repented. Yet even Israel with all its privilege and heritage did not heed
God's Word. They could make jokes like, "How many Ninevites does it take
to put sackcloth on a cow?" But an important, massive judgment against
Israel had just been delivered. Ironically, the Assyrians would recover and
lead Israel into exile. I think God scripted the events of Jonah to sound funny
to the unbelieving, but in the end, they were not laughing.
One
more thing to think about regarding Jonah is that he wrote this book. That
means that after his "fit" at the end of the book he saw his
patriotic childishness, repented, laughed at himself and understood what God
was doing. The fact that he wrote this shows he understood God's grace and
God's righteous judgment against Israel. The fact that this book was added to
the Old Testament books in the temple in Jerusalem means that godly people in
Judah/Jerusalem immediately knew that this book was a word from God and the
Word of God.
Jonah
1
Vs.
1-3 Jonah knew God had said Assyria would punish Israel. Amos (3:9) had
predicted this. Jonah tried to avert God's plan, like trying to change the
future in some sci-fi movie. Tarshish was in Spain, hundreds of miles in the
other direction.
Vs.
4-16 Notice that the unbelievers were more God-fearing than Jonah. Obviously
this was said in purposeful irony, to show that sometimes the lost are more
perceptive of God than the saved. Just for another example of something like
this, find the place in 1 Samuel 6:1-6 where the Philistines had captured the
ark of the covenant, and look at what they said and did. They weren't
"saved" and believing by any stretch of the imagination, but they
showed more sense than God's own people. Religious activity doesn't mean that a
person is saved.
V.
17 This would have added a lot of humor to the story of Jonah. Talk about
having the ultimate bad day. He couldn't even get out of this assignment by
drowning. Yet consider that this event was also designed so that years later,
Jesus Himself could refer to it. Jesus only ever referred to four prophets by
name, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah and Jonah. Jesus said, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will
be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40For just as Jonah was three days and three
nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and
three nights in the heart of the earth (Matt. 12:39-40). Jesus' own words
make the overall message of Jonah important.
Jonah
2
Vs.
1-9 This wasn't a prayer for God to save him; it was Jonah's thanks for being
saved.
V.
10 This would have made the hearers laugh themselves out of their sandals.
Depending on where Jonah was vomited out, he probably still had a 500-mile
walk.
Jonah
3
Vs.
1-5 Nineveh was a huge city and it grew to have suburbs with several markets
and community centers. Jonah would have stopped in each of these. Imagine how
long it would take you going through Chicago or New York and their suburbs, if
you had to stop at every shopping area and preach. This should be understood as
saying that Jonah began preaching when he hit the first marketplace and it took
him three days to do Nineveh.
Some
people think that Jonah's appearance might have added to his message: bleached
by the whale's digestive fluids, clothes covered with vomit, etc. But after a
long journey, Jonah would have been tubbed and scrubbed, maybe just a little
dusty. The response of the people was because of God's work, not Jonah's
appearance or preaching. Nineveh was already having problems. Having Jonah show
up was like the cherry on the top. Look at Peter's sermon in Acts 2. It was God
who worked, not the preacher. God had already gone ahead of Jonah. Jonah didn't
realize it, but he was really only following God. That's what we're doing too,
following Jesus in the harvest. He opens the doors, not us.
Note
that there was nothing in Jonah's message that was tailored to speaking and
relating to Ninevites. Jonah did no research on how to understand and relate to
these people. The message was very simple and it worked. Today we get so
paralyzed in thinking about relating to "boomers," "gen-x,"
"post-modern," or the next special group, that we say nothing or
blame ourselves for the lack of response. Here are three things Jesus said that
work in every culture and in every generation to direct and aid us in our
witness.
Matthew 4:17 From that
time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom
of heaven is at hand."
Luke 24:47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be
proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
John 18:37 Pilate said
to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am
a king. For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear
witness to the truth. Everyone
who is of the truth listens to (hears) my
voice."
Jonah
didn't need to convince anyone. He just said what the Lord told him to say. That
"strategy" still works.
Vs.
6-9 Sackcloth on the animals? King Jeroboam must have laughed when he heard
this part of the story. I wonder if he was convicted by this, or if he laughed
so hard that his wine backed up and started coming out of his nose.
V.
10 The God of all the earth doesn't desire that any should perish. God had done
so much through Elijah and Elisha, so many signs and wonders and yet Israel
didn't respond. Here, some ignorant, uncircumcised people were repenting and
receiving God's mercy. Go figure.
Jonah
4
Vs.
1-4 This is the reason that Jonah ran. He knew that God was going to use the
Assyrians to destroy Israel, and he thought he could change the future by
running.
Jonah
is a good example of someone who knows the nature of God in his head, and is
totally unlike God in his behavior. This should be convicting to us.
Vs.
5-11 This was another humorous move by the Lord. He got Jonah to attach himself
emotionally to this plant. I wonder if Jonah named it "Wilson?" While
Jonah sank into his moodiness, God explained that all men on this planet are
His concern. That last line about the cattle might also have gotten a laugh.
On
hearing this story, those who were serious and open to the Lord would have been
appalled and begun packing their bags. They would have seen the subtle, yet
deep, judgment against them. They would have gathered their families and headed
south to Judah, to introduce their kids to Yahweh. Others would have laughed at
those dumb "Ninnys" and told this story to their kids.
For
us as disciples, this story tells us that God is patient, but that judgment
will come. It tells us that we reach out, but it is God who prepares the
hearers. Our job is just to go and follow Christ into the harvest. He will do
His part, but we need to obey and to follow.
Revelation 5
As
we read these chapters in Revelation, remember that God is showing John very
specific things that He personally wants us to know. There is symbolism that
might be hard to understand, but still, these are very literal events in
heaven. The events we'll read of today are fairly easy to understand.
How
would you title the event in chapter 4? What was its purpose? It was giving
honor to the Father, but I don't think it is something that happens every day
or week or month. I think it was a special one-time event that led up to
chapter 5. Likewise, what we are reading today is a
"once-in-all-of-eternity" event that we have been invited to see in advance.
Through faith, this ought to rock our world. It should strengthen and set our
hearts on fire. Being human we are wet wood, I know; but that's why it is
written, so that we have the luxury and privilege of reading and re-reading
what is happening here. This event will lead to chapter 6, which launches the
Tribulation, that is, the seven-year "day of the Lord."
Vs.
1-2 The Father holds the scroll.
Apparently, on one end of the scroll there were wax seals at different places, kind of like paper clips, so that the scroll
could only be rolled open to a certain place. The angel crying out like this is
making an official, judicial challenge to all of created reality. The scroll is
the judgment of God on mankind. Who would be worthy to open that scroll? God could have judged, but how much
better if there were a human who had defeated sin and Satan, and who could now
re-claim human rule and authority as the second Adam. "Dost ask who that
may be? Christ Jesus, it is He."
Vs.
3-5 I find it interesting that the phrase, in
heaven or on earth or under the earth, is used. Paul uses this phrase also
in Philippians 2:10. Also, it is interesting that John is heartbroken, sobbing.
Why do you think that was? Is judgment something that we should desire? Or
could it be that it is actually more than judgment? Was it more like a
fulfillment and finally fixing the long tragic story of mankind?
Vs.
6-7 I find it interesting that Jesus is among the elders, standing right there with them. We've seen these seven spirits before and it seems to me
that they have something to do with the mission of the gospel. Taking that
scroll is a world-changing event. I really wonder what is happening on earth
during these events.
Vs.
8-10 Notice that the taking of the scroll is mentioned again. It was a decisive
act that set off a one of a kind expression of worship and praise. This is a
big event.
V.
9 The new song was given at that
time. The song seems to say three things. First, Jesus was slain. Second, by
His blood He ransomed people. This mix of people is the church. Third, He made
them a kingdom of priests. The redeemed serve mankind before God, reaching out
to those yet lost. That is being a priest in the simplest, servant sense of the
word. Another way of putting it is being ambassadors for Christ.
The
entire song is saying why He has the right to open the seals. Not only did He
sacrifice Himself, but His death brought forgiveness and righteousness to those
who accepted the offer. His victory in producing these people is the proof that
redemption was possible. Redemption becomes the proof that God is righteous in
judging those who refused to be redeemed. The human condition is impossible,
but God found a way around the impossible in the sacrifice of His Son and the
redemptive power of the Spirit as evidenced by us, the church.
V.
10 We will reign with Him on earth. I think this is where the parable of the
pounds (Luke 19:13-26) comes in. During the Millennial Kingdom we already know
that the disciples will govern the twelve tribes (Luke 22:30) and that David
will govern Israel (Ez. 34:23-24). Apparently those who have invested wisely,
following Christ in the harvest during this time of the church, will be given
responsibilities in governing and leading around the world during the
Millennium. Jesus will make sure it is a time and world of perfect justice and
mercy.
Vs.
11-14 Our Lord, and what He did, brings all history together for the angels,
for mankind, for all of creation. Taking that scroll in hand celebrates the
commencement of the end of this entire drama. This is like Jesus officially
taking the throne, taking His ruling seat as Son of Man. All of these things
have been promised and were sure, but now they become actual. Even though the
removal of that first seal will begin the Tribulation, what is beginning is the
healing of everything and every order that God created. And they all worship
together.
Psalm 133
David
wrote this song for the worshipers coming to Jerusalem to appreciate the
miracle of God's unity. There was no one who could have known the wonder of
unity better than David. We've looked at his life and know of his long years of
running from Saul. Having read David's psalms, especially Psalm 119, we know
that he suffered from all of the lies spread against him, yet he kept himself
in the Word, crying out desperately to God. Then there were the seven years of
civil war as David reigned in Hebron as king of Judah. Finally, God brought
peace, and David immediately worked to bring Israel together in worship to the
Lord.
Vs.
1-3 Although, as a pastor, I don't fully identify with the oil poured on
Aaron's head and running down his face and on to his clothes as blessing. I
still appreciate the miracle of unity. Should the Lord put me in a situation
where everyone is working in the harvest, seeing people come to Christ and
making disciples, who make disciples, who make disciples, and we have this kind
of God-given unity, then I'll go to Sam's, get a 55-gallon barrel of olive oil
and let the elders douse me regularly.
Proverbs 29:26-27
Looking at the verses in reverse
order, it looks like God is saying that there will always be conflict between
the righteous and the unrighteous. So on earth, we should understand that
whenever justice wins the day, it isn't because of men, but because of God.
Thinking about Psalm 133, it is
probably also the case that if there is peace among believers working together
in the harvest, it isn't because of our people skills, or
"chemistry," or leadership skills. It is because of the Lord and His
desire to see disciples making disciples of the lost.
Please Read
the Following Disclaimer
I'm writing the Reading Notes to and
for those who are following a One Year Bible and are interested in growing
deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the
growth of a discipleship culture in the church, that is, groups of 3-4
disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to
reach out and make disciples, who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most
universal and important discipleship manual we have and it is the key to our
growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here,
or what we are to be doing, or whom we are to be following. My comments are
only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of
God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are
designed to keep us, as disciples, focused on Christ and our role in His harvest.
My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing,
after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as
disciples, making disciples in the harvest.
If you would like a more descriptive
commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary (BKC).
I read the BKC in doing background for the Reading Notes and refer to it quite
often. I also make reference to maps or charts in the BKC, though I will only
note where those resources can be found. Often you can do a search for these
and find them in Google books. Buying both volumes of the Bible Knowledge
Commentary would be a good idea.
I am not endorsing any particular
One Year Bible translation; in fact, I read something you probably don't, Die
Revidierte Lutherbibel, 1984. Unless noted, all Scripture quotes are from the
ESV Bible.
Anyone reading along with us is
welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own
observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition
or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any
point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as
I understand it. Often there is a breadth of opinion on certain events, both
historical and prophetic. Many of my views come from my church background,
theological training and my personal study.
I'm
doing this with discipleship in mind, meaning, I'm writing out thoughts that
will keep discipleship and our growth as disciples applied to what we are
reading. Remember, the real focus of the Reading Notes is to be a supplement,
a disciple’s commentary, giving motivation and insight so that we will keep
following our Lord in the harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples, who
make disciples. Being in the Word every
day, sitting at Jesus’ feet, learning directly from Him, is the essential
essence of being and making disciples.
May the Lord bless you as you follow Him in the
harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples, who make disciples. Dan
If you would like documents
containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
If you would like a full
presentation of discipleship read Simply
Disciples*Making Disciples.
Or if you are struggling with
insomnia and would like a long boring dissertation on disciple making, these
can both be found on https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
Reading Notes ©, Dan Kachikis
2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018
The One Year Bible © by
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton Illinois 60189
The Holy Bible, English
Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of
Good News Publishers.
All charts/graphics/outlines
from the Bible Knowledge Commentary are used with the permission of David C.
Cook.
© 1983, 2001 John F Walvoord and Roy B Zuck.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary is published by David C Cook.
All rights reserved. Publisher permission
required to reproduce.
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