JONAH,
a native of Galilee, one of the earlier prophets
2Ki
14:25
Called
to go as a missionary to Nineveh, and warn the enemies of his country, he went
with great reluctance. This narrative has been ridiculed as a myth by
unbelievers, and is regarded by some scholars as a legend, or parable.
The Jews
accepted it as historical, see Antiq. IX.10.2
Jesus Christ
vouched for its truth
Mt
12:39-41 Lu 11:29,30
THE CHARACTER OF JONAH.
(1)
"Sanctified in spots," a strange mixture of strength and weakness
(2)
Self-willed
Jon
1:1-3
(3) Godly
Jon
1:9
(4) Courageous
Jon
1:12
(5) Prayerful
Jon
2:1-9
(6) Obedient
after chastisement
Jon
3:3,4
(7) Bigoted
and selfish, disappointed when the Ninevites repented
Jon
3:4-10 4:1
(8) Had too
much concern for his own reputation
Jon 4:2,3
SYNOPSIS
Ch
1. The Divine command evaded; the flight and punishment of the prophet.
Ch
2. The Prayer and the Deliverance.
Ch
3. The Second Commission Obeyed.
Ch 4. The
Childish Complaint of the prophet; the great exhibition of Divine Mercy, coupled
with the rebuke to the prophet.
(1)
The peril of running away from duty.
(2)
The temptation to selfish patriotism and religious bigotry.
(3)
The Divine employment of imperfect men as channels of Truth.
(4)
The Wideness of God's Mercy.