In addition to this very popular account of Jonah, he is also responsible for another significant event that you won’t find recorded in this text. Would you like to know what it is?
I never thought about what time period Jonah lived in. Rome was likely founded during Jonah’s lifetime. The first Olympic games were held. The “Epics of Homer” were less than 50 years old.
He was a prophet at the time of Amaziah in the south, and Jeroboam II in the north. Actually I read in another text that Jonah was the one who anointed Jeroboam’s great grandfather (Jehu) king over the northern kingdom. He was probably fairly old by the time Jeroboam took control of the nation. He advised Jeroboam to attack the Syrians to regain territory the God had promised through Joshua to give to Israel. King Jeroboam listened to Jonah, and was successful in battle. This tidbit isn’t found in the Bible, it comes from Josephus’ tome “Antiquities of the Jews”. I mention it because it helps us view a larger picture of the prophet. I don’t know when during his ministry that Jonah uttered this prophecy, but it’s likely that he had prophesied before, and he isn’t new to the job, he has advised kings. In fact, if his encounter with the great fish happened earlier in his ministry then the king would be even more likely to listen to him. After all, this is the man that God brought back out of the ocean.
So why the sudden refusal to carry out God’s will and warn the Ninevites?
Simple. Jonah hated the Ninevites. He didn’t want them to be saved; he was happy they would perish. In his mind, they deserved it. No doubt that this nation had persecuted the Jews before, and they were a growing threat in the region. This is the land of the Assyrians. Later to be known as Persia…and later still, Iraq. Israel north is enjoying the peak of their society at this time. Jeroboam II was evil, but he was powerful, and made many friends in the region. He brought a great amount of trade back into Israel, and with the trade came luxuries, decadence and false gods. The people lived in wealth and peace, and “cast off all restraint”. I wonder if that sounds familiar….
I should note that this all takes place around 800 BC, and by 720 BC Assyria has conquered the northern kingdom. 80 years from the pinnacle of success to being overrun and taken into captivity. I wonder if Jonah knew that the Assyrians would one day conquer his homeland?
A few quick observations from today’s text before I forget them:
The sailors made a decision to follow Christ after seeing how God controlled the sea. However, they were also influenced by Jonah’s confession and testimony. When we testify and leave the rest to God, lives are changed. I wonder how fast news traveled in Jonah’s day? Did word get back to Nineveh that Jonah was on his way with a message from God? The king of Nineveh seems to be eager to listen to Jonah….I wonder why, considering that they didn’t worship Yahweh?
As I read Jonah’s prayer from inside the fish, I wonder if God intended to save Jonah, or kill him for disobeying. That is to say, if Jonah had not prayed a prayer of repentance and humbly made some vow to God (probably to do what he had already been told to do) would the fish still have spit him out on dry ground? I doubt it. Having said that, once God decided to forgive Jonah I know that He waited until the third day to have the fish spit him out, as a foreshadowing of Christ’s resurrection. I sincerely doubt that Jonah waited more than 2 days to repent…he probably prayed that prayer within hours or minutes of being swallowed. I should note that the prayer Jonah prayed isn’t recorded here. What we have is the prophet’s testimony about how he was conscious, perishing and cried out to God for forgiveness and rescue, and God heard him.
This post is beginning to resemble my garage. Lots of scraps that might be used for something, but nothing that all fits together to make one thing.
Anyway: I am reminded of a couple of things as I read today.
Just because we are Christians doesn’t mean we don’t have prejudices. God doesn’t have any, but we do. Sometimes our prejudices create problems for us, limiting our willingness to relate to certain people. I am reminded this morning that God loves the people that I don’t care for. He loves the people that drive me crazy, and he wants to hear from people that I don’t want to listen to. So, if I am going to be more like Jesus, I am going to have to surrender my prejudice. But it’s not only prejudice that limits me, it’s also other things.
Jonah was angry when he learned that the prophecy he had delivered would now NOT come true. His argument with God sounds like a child arguing with his father. (actually, that’s exactly what it is!). The part that amazes me is the patience God demonstrates in dealing with Jonah. Doesn’t Jonah realize that when he wishes that the Ninevites (who were disobedient to God) would be destroyed, without a chance to repent he is condemning himself? Has he forgotten his recent forgiveness while inside the fish?
God forgives! God is patient and loving, and He forgives! This should be celebrated, not mourned. The Lord gently reminds Jonah that there are a large number of people in Nineveh, and he doesn’t want to destroy them, but he will…if they don’t repent.
So God told Nineveh through Jonah that they had 40 days. I wonder if that’s how long Jonah went and sat on the hillside outside of town, waiting to see if his prophecy would come true? I would suppose that’s what he did. I always thought that the plant grew one day and died the next, but now that I read it more closely, I think it took several days to grow, and then survived for a while before it died suddenly in one day. If I had to speculate, I would say the plant died close to the 40th day. This whole part of the story is about God continuing to teach his servant, even an old prophet who has advised kings and survived the sea still has many things to learn.
Probably the same is true for pastors…and for all of us.
Faithfully,
PR