Bible reading & studying in one year 12/26/2021 the book of Zephaniah 1-3 & the book of Haggai1-2 By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

 Bible reading & studying in one year 12/26/2021 the book of Zephaniah 1-3

By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

Christian Arts Ministries: Biblical precepts& Gospel music/ pastoral ministry & counseling

The Prophet and His times   Zephaniah, of noble birth (1:1) apparently helped prepare Judah for the revival that took place under good King Josiah in 621 B.C. (2 Chron.34:3). For more than half a century times had been evil under kings Manasseh and Amon. And Zephaniah called his people to repentance Reform came, but after Josiah, the leaders and many of the people reverted to their old ways.

The theme of the book of Zephaniah - Judgment is the central theme of Zephaniah’s message. The immediate fulfillment occurred when Babylon, under Nebuchadnezzar, captured Judah. The Ultimate fulfillment will yet occur in the Day the Lord, during the coming Tribulation years. Zephaniah also predicted the doom of heathen nations, both immediately (As Nineveh, which fell in 612; see2:13) and in the future (3:8). The book closes with a glorious description of the future Millennium (also an aspect of the day of the Lord.)

 

The prophecies of Blessing: Future blessings for gentiles Zephaniah 3:9-10

 

Then will I purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him shoulder to shoulder. From beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, my scattered people, will bring me offerings.( Zephaniah 3:9-10)

 

Future Blessings for Jews (Zephaniah 3:11-20)

On that day you will not be put to shame for all the wrongs you have done to me, because I will remove from this city those who rejoice in their pride. Never again will you be haughty on my holy hill. But I will leave within you the meek and humble, who trust in the name of the Lord. The remnant of Israel will do no wrong; they will speak no lies, nor will deceit be found in their mouths. They will eat and lie down and no one will make them afraid.(vv.11-13)

Sing, O daughter of Zion, shout aloud. O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away your punishment; he has turned back your enemy. The Lord, the King of Israel is with you; never again will you fear any harm. On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands hand limp. The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” (vv. 14-17)

 

“The sorrows for the appointed feasts I will remove from you; they are a burden and a reproach to you. At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you; I will rescue the lame and gather those who have been scattered. I will give them praise and honor in every land where they were put to shame. At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes.” says the Lord.  (vv.18-20)     

    

In chapter 3:9-20 Zephaniah describes the millennial age and some of its blessings; pure worship)v.9) this is apparently the meaning of purity the lips, in contrast to the blasphemy of idolatrous worship; the Jewish nation regathered and purified (vv.10-13); Christ personally reigning with them (v.15); Security (v.16); enemies punished (v.19); and Israel restored to her land (v.20).

Bibliography,

Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie Study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986. 

 

Bible reading & studying in one year 12/26/2021 the book of Haggai1-2

 The prophet Haggai whose name means “my feast” was the first prophetic voice to be heard after the Babylonian Exile. He was a contemporary of Zechariah (and of Confucius) and his ministry was to call the people to finish the Temple, whose completion had been delayed for fifteen years. These prophecies were given between August and December520 B.C. and the temple was completed four years later. Haggai likely returned to Jerusalem from Babylon with Zerubbabel. The book is addressed to all the people (1:13;2:2), to encourage them to rebuild the Temple. But it is also particularly addressed to Zerubbabel the governor, and to Joshua the high priest.(1:1;2:2,21) The book contains four appeals, each introduced by the Word of the Lord came.

 

A call to courage in the Lord- Haggai: 2:1-9

 

“But now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the Lord. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declared the Lord, and work. For I am with you. Declares the Lord Almighty. This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.  (Haggai2:4-5)

This is what the Lord Almighty says, “In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory says the Lord Almighty. The silver is mine and the gold is mine, declares the Lord Almighty. The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house.” says the Lord Almighty. “And in this place I will grant peace” declares the Lord Almighty. (vv.6-9)

 

The scope of these words points to a yet future fulfillment at the time of the second coming of Christ. The well-known translation “the desire of all nations” makes this a reference to Messiah and is in accord with Jewish tradition. However, many feel that the phrase is more properly translated “the wealth of all nations,” referring to the offerings the nations will bring to the millennial Temple. This present house (v.9). This may refer to Zerubbabel’s Temple (and its successor Temple built by Herod) and to the peace made by Christ on the cross at His first coming, or it may refer to the millennial Temple (Ezek.40-48) and the world peace He will bring at His second coming.

 

 A call to confidence in the future 2:20-30

 

“The word of the Lord came to Haggai a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month: “Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I will shake the heavens and the earth. I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother. “On that day”, declares the Lord Almighty, “ I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, declares the Lord, and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the Lord Almighty.”

 

The prophecy looks ahead to the time when Christ will rule the nations of the world. In Haggai’s time Persia ruled more than two million square miles of territory. Signet ring. An indication of the honor God gave to Zerubbabel, who perhaps because of this and the suspicion it created in the minds of the Persian rulers, shortly afterward disappeared from the scene. 

 

Bibliography,

Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie Study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986. 

Bible reading & studying in one year 12/25/2021 Habakkuk 1-3 By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

 Bible reading & studying in one year 12/25/2021   Habakkuk 1-3

 By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

 Christian Arts Ministries: Biblical precepts& Gospel music/ pastoral ministry & counseling

 

The Times of the book of Habakkuk--

Habakkuk name means “embracer”, because his love for God. Though nothing is known of the prophet himself, we know something of his times. Prophesying just before Nebuchadnezzar first invaded Judah in 605(and took Daniel and others as captives to Babylon), Habakkuk was commissioned to announce the Lord’s intention to punish Judah by this coming deportation into Babylon. The reigning king in Judah, Jehoiakim, is described by the prophet Jeremiah this way; “ your eyes and your heart are intent only upon your own dishonest gain, and on shedding innocent blood and on practicing oppression and extortion” (Jer.22:17;cf.Hab.1:2-4 and 2 Kings23:34-24:5).

Habakkuk’s questions—

             The book presents a picture of a man who trusted God, yet was perplexed. Habakkuk’s questions were two: (1) Why did God permit the increasing evil in Judah to go unpunished (1:2-4)? (2) How could a holy God justify using the Babylonians, a people more wicked than the Jews to punish the Jews (1:12-2:1)? The answer to the first question is recorded in 1:5-11 and to the second in 2:2-20. Thus the book is a theodicy, a defense of God’s goodness and power in view of the existence of evil.

Contents –

 The best known verse in Habakkuk is 2:4 (quoted in Rom.1:17; Gal3:22; Heb.10:38), not only because it was the heart of God’s answer to Habakkuk’s questions, but because the N.T. shows that its truth is central to the doctrine of Justification by faith. Another favorite verse is 2:20. Chapter 3 is a great psalm of praise, scarcely equaled anywhere else in the O.T.

God answered Habakkuk’s questions 1:5-11 and 2:2-20,

“I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwelling place not their own. They are a feared and dreaded people; they are a law to themselves and promote their own honor. …they all come bent on violence…” (Habakkuk 1:.6-7,9)

“See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright, but the righteous will live by his faith. Indeed, wine betrays him; he is arrogant and never at rest. Because he is as greedy as the grace and like death is never satisfied, he gathers to himself all the nations and takes captive all the peoples. Will not all of them taunt him with ridicule and scorn, saying, “woe to him who piles up stolen goods and makes himself wealthy by extortion! Because you have plundered many nations, the peoples who are left will plunder you. For you have shed man’s blood; you have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them. We to him who builds his realm by unjust gain to set his nest on high, to escape the clutches of ruin! You have plotted the ruin of many peoples, shaming your own house and forfeiting your life. The stones of the wall will cry out and the beams of the woodwork will echo it. Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by crime.(Habakkuk 2:4-12)

“Of what value is an idol, since a man has carved it? or an image that teaches lies? Fro he who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. Woe to him who says to wood, “come to life!” or to lifeless stone, “wake up!” can it give guidance? It is covered with gold and silver; there is no breath in it. But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.”(Habakkuk2: 18-20)

All the victims of the injustices described in the song of verses 6-20.The “woes” are addressed to five different classes of evildoers: greedy usurers (vv.6-8); extortioners who think they are secure (vv.9-11); rulers who build cities with the blood and sweat of others less fortunate (vv.12-14); Jehoiakim squandered state funds and used forced labor to build a new palace for himself); lascivious people who use alcohol as a prelude to perversion (vv.15-17); and idolaters who worship inanimate objects (vv.18-20). These woes are not pronounced against the Babylonians only, but also against Israelites who practiced these evils.  

Then Habakkuk’s praise 3:1-19

Lord, I have heard of your fame;  I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy. (v.2). God came from Teman, the Holy One from Mount-Paran. His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth. (v.3) He stood, and shook the earth; he looked, and made the nations tremble. The ancient mountains crumbled and the age –old hills collapsed. His ways are eternal.(v.6).

I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us. Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer. He enables me to go on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments. (vv.16-19).

 Habakkuk was astonished at this vision of God. The last part of the verse should probably be translated “that I should be resting quietly in the day of trouble when He comes up against the people who will invade us. Though the Chaldean invasion would strip the land (v.17), Habakkuk would rejoice in the Lord.(v.18), who makes his feet like the feet of a deer (lit., gazelles’ feet, signifying surefooted confidence). This prayer was sung to the accompaniment of stringed instruments.    

 Bibliography,

 Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie Study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986

 

Bible reading & studying in one year 12/24 /2021 Nahum 1-3 by Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

 Bible reading & studying in one year 12/24 /2021 Nahum 1-3

  by Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

 Christian Arts Ministries : Biblical precepts& Gospel music/ pastoral ministry & counseling

The prophet Nothing is known of Nahum ( whose name means “Consolation” ) except that he came from Elkosh, which was possible Capernaum . His message against Nineveh was given to Judah, since the Northern Kingdom, Israel, had already been taken captive.

The theme Nineveh will be destroyed! Almost every verse from 1:15-3:19 describes that event, which took place in 612 B.C. The Ninevites (Assyrians) concerted through the preaching of Jonah (Morethan one hundred years before Nahum wrote) had not transmitted their knowledge of the true God to their children, and the people had quickly reverted to their cruel and heathen practices. They had destroyed Samaria (the Northern Kingdom, Israel) in 722 and nearly captured Jerusalem in 701. Nahum briefly describes Nineveh’s wickedness in 3:1,4. God had to destroy such an apostate people.    

The content in the chapter 1 contains a magnificent description of the character of God (vv.2-8). Reading chapter2, one can almost hear the noise of the battle of Nineveh.

“The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The Lord takes vengeance on his foes and maintains his wrath against his enemies. The Lord is slow to anger and great in power. The Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet. He rebukes the sea and dries it up; he makes all the rivers run dry.(vv.1-4)

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh. He will pursue his foes into darkness.(v.7)

Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate your festivals, O Judah, and fulfill your vows. No more will the wicked invade you; they will be completely destroyed. (v.15)

          In this section God is characterized as all knowing (v.1), righteous (v.2.), longsuffering (v.3a), all-powerful(vv.3b-6), good (v.7), and holy(v.8).The sacking of Nineveh by the Babylonians and Medes would be good news for Judah. This occurred in 612 B.C.

 

Bibliography,

Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie Study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986

 

Bible reading & studying in one year Micah 1-7 By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

 Bible reading & studying in one year   Micah 1-7     12/23/2021   

By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

Christian Arts Ministries / Biblical precepts & Gospel music / Pastoral ministry & Counseling

Introduction

 

The prophet Micah, His name means “Who is like Yahweh?” Whereas Hosea prophesied to the northern tribes of Israel and Isaiah to the court in Jerusalem, Micah, a Judean from Moresheth in the SW. of Palestine, preached to the common people of Judah.  

       

His times- Micah ministered during the reigns of Jotham (750-732), Ahaz (736-716) and Hezekiah (716-687). Though for the most part a good king, Jotham did not remove the idolatrous high places from his kingdom. Ahaz, a wicked king (2Kings16:2-4), adopted a pro-Assyrian foreign policy, and during his reign the captivity of the northern tribes took place. Hezekiah, one of Judah’s best kings was anti-Assyrian and withstood the siege of Jerusalem that Sennacherib led in 701 (2 Kings18:13-19:36). For peasants and villagers, these were days of harassment from enemy armies, of hardship because of exploitation by the wealthy (2:1-13), and of oppression by the rulers (3:1-4) and false prophets (3:5-8). Micah, as Amos, cried for social justice.

      

           The contents of Micah, three important quotations from Micah are found elsewhere in the Bible. One saved the prophet Jeremiah’s life (Jer.26:18, a quote of Mic.3:12). The priests and scribes quoted Micah5:2 “ But you, Bethlehem Ephrathan, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel ,whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” in answer to Herod’s question about the birthplace of Messiah (Matt.2:5-6). Christ quote Micah 7:6 “For a son dishonors his father a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law –a man’s enemies are the members of his own household.” when He commissioned the disciples the first time” (Matt.10:35-36). Micah chapter 4 is one of the most important descriptions in the Bible of the future glory of Israel and Micah 6:8 “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” is one of the favorite verses. The major sections of the book are introduced with the word “Hear” or “Listen” (1:2; 3:1; 6:1).

Chapter 4 described the deliverance: the coming Kingdom

 The glories of the kingdom

 

“In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, “Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths. The Law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide…” (Micah4:1-3)

 

Micah4:1-3 Almost identical to Isa.2:2-4, this passage describes the glories of the millennial kingdom. The mountain of the Lord’s temple. Jerusalem and the Temple on Mount Zion, which will be the center of the government of the kingdom. As chief. Lit., at the head (of lesser governmental division).   

 

“In that day”, declares the Lord, “I will gather the lame; I will assemble the exiles and those I have brought to grief. I will make the lame a remnant, those driven away a strong nation. The Lord will rule over them in Mount Zion from that day and forever. As for you, O watchtower of the flock, O stronghold of the Daughter of Zion, the former dominion will be restored to you; kingship will come to the Daughter of Jerusalem.” (Micah 4:6-8)

 

Watchtower of the flock, I.e., Jerusalem, which, in the figure, watches over Israel as a shepherd watches his sheep from a tower. The millennial kingdom will be greater in extent than David’s or Solomon’s, the former dominion.

 

“Why do you now cry aloud have you no king? Has your counselor perished, that pain seizes you like that of a woman in labor? Writhe in agony, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in labor, for now you must leave the city to camp in the open field. You will go to Babylon; there you will be rescued. There the Lord will redeem you out of the hand of your enemies.” (vv.9-10)

 

These verses refer to the Babylonian captivity and later return to Palestine under Cyrus. In Micah’s time Babylon was only a vassal of powerful Assyria, making this an even more startling prophecy.  

 

But now many nations are gathered against you. They say,” let her be defiled, let our eyes gloat over Zion! But they do not know the thoughts of the Lord; they do not understand His plan, he who gathers them like sheaves to the threshing floor. Rise and thresh, O Daughter of Zion, I will give you hoofs of bronze and you will break to pieces many nations. You will devote their ill-gotten gains to the Lord, their wealth to the Lord of all the earth. (Micah4:11-13)

 

 This passage looks further ahead, to the great campaign of Armageddon immediately preceding the second coming of Christ and the millennial kingdom. There the world will be lined up against Israel, but God will give Israel victory, using horns of iron and hoofs of bronze.

 Chapter 5 described the deliverance: the Coming King

 

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathan, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. Therefore, Israel will be abandoned until the time when she was is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. (Micah5:2-3)

 

Ephrathah. The ancient name for Bethlehem and also apparently the name of the district (Gen.35:19; Ruth4:11). Both names indicate the fertility of the area, Bethlehem meaning “House of Bread” and Ephrathah, “ fruitful” This was the birthplace of King David(1Sam.16:1) as well as of his most eminent descendant, Jesus Christ, the Messiah. For me I.e., to do My will. Origins. Refers primarily to Christ’s preincarnate appearances as the Angel of the Lord,  thus affirming the existence of Christ before His birth in Bethlehem. From of old. May mean “from days of old” or it may mean “from eternity,” indicating the eternal existence of Messiah (cf. Heb.1:12). Will be abandoned. To their enemies until she (the Virgin Mary, Isa.7:14) gives birth to Messiah, who will reunite Israel (a work in connection with His second coming.).

 His second coming Micah 5:4-15

 

He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace.(v.4).

 The remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the Lord, like showers on the grass, which do not wait for man or linger for mankind.(v.7)

 The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among flocks of sheep, which mauls and mangles as it goes, and no one can rescue. (v.8).

Your hand will be lifted up in triumph over your enemies, and all your foes will be destroyed. (v.9)

“In that day” declares the Lord, “I will destroy your horses from among you and demolish your chariots.. I will destroy your carved images and your sacred stones from among you; you will no longer bow down to the work of your hands…I will take vengeance in anger and wrath upon the nations that have not obeyed me.”(vv.10,13,15)    

 

 In this section Micah again describes the glories of the messianic kingdom. King Jesus, who is greater than Shepherd-King David, will shepherd His people (v.4). They will be sage from the Assyrian, used here as typical of all Israel’s enemies (vv.5-6).Regathered Israel will be strong as a lion (vv.7-9) and purified from all idolatrous practices (vv.10-15).

 

Chapter 6 A message of denunciation;

  God’s first indictment

“ Listen to what the Lord says: stand up, plead your case before the mountains; let the hills hear what you have to say. Hear, O mountains, the Lord’s accusation; listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth. For the Lord has a case against his people; he is lodging a charge against Israel. My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me.”(vv.1-3)

“I brought you up out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. I sent Moses to lead you, also Aaron and Miriam. My people, remember what Balak king of Moab counseled and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.” (vv.4-5)

 

Chapter 6: 4-6 God as prosecutor in this cosmic courtroom (vv.1-2), states His case: (1) He rescued Israel from Egypt; (2) He gave as leaders Moses, Aaron, and Miriam;(3) He reversed the intended curse of Balaam (Num.23-24); and (4) He brought His people into the promised land (Shittim being the last encampment E. of the Jordan River and Gilgal the first on the W. bank).

Israel’s first reply (6:6-8)

 

“With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? With the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has showed you, O man, what is good and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

 

In reply to God, Israel proposes to make up for her sin by offering sacrifices. But God replies that He had previously told them (Deut.10:12) that He prefers obedient, spiritual people (v.8). To act justly. In contrast to 3:2.  mercy. See notes on Hos.2:19.   

Chapter 7 Israel’s second reply (7:1-10)

        Chapter 7 1-10 Micah bemoaned the sinfulness of Israel. It is universal (v.1), unrestrained (vv.2-3), involves the leaders (v.3), and exhibits itself in perverse (v.4) and unnatural (vv.5-6) ways. But God is merciful and in Him there is hope (vv.7-8)

 

Epilogue: blessings for Israel 7: 11-20

 

The day for building your walls will come, the day for extending your boundaries. In that day people will come to you from Assyria and the cities of Egypt, even from Egypt to the Euphrates and from sea to sea and from mountain to mountain…Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock of your inheritance,

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. You will be true to Jacob, and show mercy to Abraham, as you pledged on oath to our fathers in days long ago.

 

Verses 11-20 the promised millennial blessing for Israel will include her restoration (vv.11-13), her blessing (vv.14-15), her exaltation over the other nations (vv.16-17), and forgiveness (vv.18-19) all on the basis of the covenant God made with Abraham. (Gen.12:1-3;15:18-21).

 

Bibliography,

Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie Study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986. 

 

 

Bible reading & studying in one year Jonah 1-4 By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

 Bible reading & studying in one year   Jonah 1-4    12/22/2021   

By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

Christian Arts Ministries : Biblical precepts & Gospel music ; Pastoral ministry & Counseling

 

             The theme of the book of Jon - The book shows that the God of the Hebrews has concern for the whole world.

            History or Allegory - Some regard this book as an allegory, written about 430 B.C. to counter the exclusivism of Ezra and Nehemiah. In this view, Jonah represents disobedient Israel; the sea represents the Gentiles; the great fish, Babylon; and the three days in the fish’s bell, the Babylonian captivity of the Jews.

According to 2 Kings 14:25, however, Jonah was not only a real person but an accredited prophet from Gath Hepher near Nazareth. Further, Jesus Christ treated Jonah’s experience in the belly of the fish as factual (Matt.12:39-41). And , of course, the book reads as a straightforward historical account. This does not rule out the presence of typical lessons illustrated by the historical incidents.

          The times   In 2 Kings 14:27 Jonah is connected with the reign of Jeroboam II of Israel (793-753 B.C.) who had succeeded in reestablishing the power of Israel over most of the territory N.of Judah previously controlled by David and Solomon. No Assyrian inscription mentions a religious awakening such as that described in this book. However, during the reign of Adad-nirari III (810-783) there was a swing toward monotheism, which may have been the result of Jonah’s preaching. The awakening may have occurred in the days of AshurdanIII (771-754). The plague of 765, the eclipse of the sun in 763, and a second plague in 759 were events of the type regarded by ancients as evidence of divine judgment and could have prepared the people to receive Jonah’s message.

          Miracles    A number of miracles are recorded in the book: the calming of the sea before the crew lost their lives (1:15); the provision of the great fish and the preservation of Jonah in the fish (1:17); the disgorging of Jonah on land (2:10); the preparing of the vine (4:6), the worm (4:7); and the wind (4:8); and the salvation of many Ninevites.

The name Jonah means “dove”. Nineveh (v.2) Located on the E. bank of the Tigris River, more than five hundred miles from Palestine. Sennacherib made it the capital of Assyria about 700 B.C. Calah, however, about twenty miles S. of Nineveh and part of a city –state complex that included Nineveh, was the capital in Jonah’s time (Gen.10:11-12). Wickedness, included idolatrous worship and extreme cruelty to prisoners of war. Tarshish . Located in the S. of Spain near Gibralter, two thousand miles W. of Palestine. But no one can escape from the Lord (Ps.139:7-12).

Jonah fleeing 1:1-17

 

The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” (vv.1-2).

But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord. (v.3) Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. (vv.4-5). the sailors said to each other, “Come, and let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity.” They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah.” (v.7). the sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, “Why should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?” (v.11). “Pick me up and throw me into the sea.” He replied, “And it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.”(v.12).  But the Lord provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights. (v.17)  

 

 Jonah praying 2:1-10

             

From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. He said, “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From the depths of the grace I called for help, and you listened to my cry. You hurled me into the deep, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. I said, “I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple… When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the Lord.   

And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

         Apparently the sailors were convinced that Yahweh was the true God; thus, they offered a sacrifice to Him. We do not know what kind of great fish God prepared, though there are whales and sharks capable of swallowing a man. On the expression three days and three nights see note on Matt.12:40 From the depths of the grave (Heb.Sheol). Although Sheol refers to the place of the dead, the expression here means “from death’s door” and does not necessarily indicate that Jonah actually died.(Ps.30:3). Your waves and breakers. Jonah acknowledged that his punishment came from God. Jonah includes himself among those who forsake God’s grace for idols.

Jonah preaching 3:1-10

            

Then the Word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time. “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very important city – a visit required three days. (vv.1-3).

 

 On the first day, Jonah started into the city. He proclaimed “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned.” The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. When the news reached the king of Niveneh, he rose from his through, took off his royal roves, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh.

“By the decree of the king and his nobles; “Do not let any man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything’ do not let them eat or drink. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.” (vv.5-9)

When God saw that they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.(v.10)

 The king of Nineveh. Either Adad-nirari III(810-783) or Ashurdan III(771-754), sackcloth. A symbol of sorrow and repentance, it was coarse, dark cloth unfit for normal wear.( Rev.6:12) Sitting in the dust was a sign of helplessness and despair. God had compassion on Nineveh, so didn’t bring upon them the destruction.

  Jonah learning 4:1-11

         

Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. He prayed to the Lord. “ O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents form sending calamity. Now, O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.  (vv.1-3)

          Because he knew that God would spare the Ninevites if they repented, and he did not want these enemies of Israel to be spared. Jonah preferred to die than to be reconciled to the gracious will of God. A shelter. (v.5) of branches under which Jonah would wait the forty days, hoping for the destruction of Nineveh.   

 

“But the Lord replied, “Have you any right to be angry?” Jonah went out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. Then the Lord God provided a vine and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the vine. But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the vine so that it withered. When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.” But God said to Jonah, “Do you have a right to be angry about the vine?”  “I do,” he said, “I am angry enough to die.” But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city? (vv.4-11).

         God provided a vine (v.6), probably the castor oil plant, whose large leaves provided welcome shade from the sun’s heat,. Its swift growth was an act of God. God used the vine as an object lesson to teach Jonah this important truth: if Jonah was justified in being so upset about the loss of a plant to whose existence he had contributed nothing, was not God justified in showing glove and concern for the people of Nineveh, whom He had created? The population must have been around six hundred thousand if there were a hundred and twenty thousand children. Many cattle (v.11) a final touch of irony, as if to say, “Jonah, even if you approve of the destruction of hundreds of thousands of people, think of the waste of livestock that would be involved!”   

 

 

Bibliography,

Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie Study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986.