From: December 14, 2020
From: December 14, 2020
From: December 14, 2019
From: December 14, 2018
From: December 14, 2017
From: December 14, 2016
Many think the book of Jonah is about a fish. It’s not. It’s really not even about Jonah. It’s about God. The fish is only mentioned 4 times. Jonah is mentioned 18 times. But God is named 38 times. God is the hero in the book of Jonah. God is the One who calls, the One who pursues, the One who saves. Jonah is the one who runs from God’s call and argues with God about His mercy towards Nineveh. We’ve all heard stories about a man catching a big fish. But God took a big fish and caught Himself a man! This story is a “sign” (Matt. 12:39-42) pointing to its fulfillment in Christ, who died for our sins and lay in the tomb for three days before being raised, defeating sin, death and the grave in order to save us!
From: December 14, 2015
People think the book of Jonah is about a fish. It’s not. It’s really not even about Jonah. It’s about God. The fish is only mentioned 4 times. Jonah is mentioned 18 times. But God is named 38 times. God is the hero in the book of Jonah. God is the One who calls, the One who pursues, the One who saves. Jonah is the one who runs from God’s call and argues with God about His mercy towards Nineveh. We’ve all heard stories about a man catching a big fish. But God took a big fish and caught Himself a man! This story is a sign pointing to its fulfillment in Christ, who died for our sins and lay in the tomb for three days before being raised, defeating sin, death and the grave in order to save us!
From: December 14, 2014
God called Jonah to deliver a warning of judgment to the city of Nineveh. This capital city of Assyria was hated by the Jews. And rightly so, as the Assyrians would later defeat the Northern Kingdom of Israel and carry its people off into captivity. Yet, God wanted them warned of His judgment. This is a unique story in the Old Testament of the Word being carried to a Gentile people by one of God’s prophets, albeit unwillingly. God had declared His purpose to Abraham that “all the families of the earth” would be blessed from his seed. Here, the book of Jonah hints at this future blessing. Even the Lord Jesus referred to this little book when He said that the only sign He would give was the “sign of Jonah,” referring to His death, burial, and resurrection after three days. If you have trouble believing that God could “arrange” for a fish to save a drowning man, you’ll probably have trouble with a crucified man being resurrected from the grave. Yet, those who do believe are rescued from God’s judgment.
From: December 14, 2013
John wept because no one was found that could open the scroll with the seven seals. Then, one of the elders (possibly Peter or Matthew, since both were already martyred), pointed out One that was standing between the Throne and four living creatures. This One was both the “Root” and the “Branch” (Isaiah 11:1) of David, pointing to both His preexistence and incarnation. He was the “Lion of Judah” reflecting His royal birthright. Yet even more significant was His identity as the One who had “conquered,” defeating sin, death and the grave by His sacrificial death and resurrection. When John saw Him take the scroll, he witnessed the most wonderful worship erupt in heaven as they all sang, “Worthy is the Lamb!” And his tears turned to joy!
From: December 14, 2012
Instead of going East to Nineveh, Jonah headed West. He didn’t want to do what the Lord commanded. But he found out that you can’t run away from God. Have you tried to run in the opposite direction from God’s call? How’s that working out for you?
From: December 14, 2011
Jonah heard God’s call and ran the other way. He soon learned that running from God led to killer storms, drowsy depression, and suicidal thoughts. God let Jonah hit bottom and after 3 days He raised him up. The resurrected Jonah obeyed God. There are consequences to running from God. Are you trying to run from God?