The Book of Jonah
JONAH - The Old Testament counterpart of kjv@John:3:16, this book declares the universality of God’s love embracing even pagan nations. Its authorship and historicity are disputed. If one is willing to accept the miraculous, there is no compelling reason to deny its historicity. There is a strong possibility that the book is about Jonah and not by him. The author relates how Jonah refused God’s call to preach to the people of Nineveh, his punishment for this disobedience, his ready response to a second summons, and his bitter complaint at God’s sparing the city following her repentance. Christ Himself alludes to Jonah when speaking of His own death and Resurrection ( kjv@Matthew:12:39, kjv@Matthew:16:4; kjv@Luke:11:29-32 ).
Author: Prophet Jonah?
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
| kjv@Jonah:1 | Jonah Flees From the LORD |
| kjv@Jonah:2 | Jonah's Prayer |
| kjv@Jonah:3 | Jonah Goes to Nineveh |
| kjv@Jonah:4 | Jonah's Anger at the LORD's Compassion |
| kjv@Matthew:12:38-45 | The Sign of Jonah: |
| kjv@Luke:11:29-32 | The Sign of Jonah: |
(see also: BIBLEBYCHAPTER-Jonah )
SUMMARY:
Quote easton Dictionary - easton 'Jonah, Book of'
Jonah, Book of
(1) some reject it on the ground that the miraculous element enters so largely into it, and that it is not prophetical but narrative in its form;
(2) others, denying the possibility of miracles altogether, hold that therefore it cannot be true history. Jonah and his story is referred to by our Lord kjv@Matthew:12:39-40; kjv@Luke:11:29), a fact to which the greatest weight must be attached. It is impossible to interpret this reference on any other theory. This one argument is of sufficient importance to settle the whole question. No theories devised for the purpose of getting rid of difficulties can stand against such a proof that the book is a veritable history. There is every reason to believe that this book was written by Jonah himself. It gives an account of
(1) his divine commission to go to Nineveh, his disobedience, and the punishment following (1:1-17);
(2) his prayer and miraculous deliverance (1:17-2:10);
(3) the second commission given to him, and his prompt obedience in delivering the message from God, and its results in the repentance of the Ninevites, and God's long-sparing mercy toward them (ch. 3);
(4) Jonah's displeasure at God's merciful decision, and the rebuke tendered to the impatient prophet (ch. 4). Nineveh was spared after Jonah's mission for more than a century. The history of Jonah may well be regarded "as a part of that great onward movement which was before the Law and under the Law; which gained strength and volume as the fulness of the times drew near.", Perowne's Jonah.
FURTHER RESOURCES:
Comment Board: BookOfJonahTags: Old Testament, Prophet,