Commentary on the book of jonah chapter 4

Returning to god a heartless prophet jonah 4 lifeway. Wouldest thou have me to be less merciful to such a large and populous city as nineveh, than thou art to a shrub. After jonahs complaint, god explains in verses 1011 why it is silly for jonah to care so much about a plant and so little about a city full of peopleand thats the end. The book of jonah is listed among the minor prophets, but jonah is nowhere in this book called a prophet. Paul said that, for indeed jews ask for signs and greeks search for wisdom i corinthians 1. Jonah uses words that are similar to words in the psalms. This book contains the prophecies attributed to the prophet jonah, and is a part of the book of the twelve minor prophets.

This whole chapter of eleven verses deals almost exclusively with jonah s disappointment, anger, and resentment because of the conversion of the ninevites, and with the gentle persuasion of the lord, who provided motivation for jonah, pointing him toward a more acceptable attitude. Chapter 4, the last in the book of jonah, should be filled with great. His complaint of gods mercy revealed his rebellious heart 4. How sad the contrast between gods feeling on the repentance of nineveh towards him, and jonah s feeling on the repentance of god towards nineveh. In chapter 1, jonah simply sought to withdraw from gods service, but in chapter 4, jonah attacks god, persisting that it is his right to be angry with him. Transitioning into the second chapter, jonah resides in the belly of a giant fish jonah 1.

Govern your world according to the measure of mercy, as it is said, to the lord our god belong mercy and forgiveness. Jonahs prayer is a prayer of thanks to god, because he saved him from death in the sea. Jonah is the central character in the book of jonah, in which god commands him to go to the city of nineveh to prophesy against it for their great wickedness is come up before me, but jonah instead attempts to flee from the presence of the lord by going to jaffa and sailing to tarshish. Top 5 commentaries on the book of jonah ligonier ministries. One of the very reasons he had fled to tarshish was so that the lord would not be merciful to the ninevites, because he knew that the lord is. He quotes short fragments from various psalms, and adapts them to meet his own case. It is quite a different word which is rendered gourd in 2 kings 4. Jonah chapter 4 verse by verse bible commentary matthew. Discussions on the old testament the book of jonah. Set in the reign of jeroboam ii 786746 bc, it was probably written in the postexilic period, some time between the late 5th to early 4th century bc. We read, with a great deal of pleasure, in the close of the foregoing chapter, concerning the repentance of nineveh. One of the very reasons he had fled to tarshish was so that the lord would not be merciful to the ninevites, because he knew that the lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in. Regarding the speculation mentioned in the previous chapter concerning the funeral for jonah in israel, see under jonah, the great old testament type, at the end of this chapter.

Jonah 4 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. This whole chapter of eleven verses deals almost exclusively with jonahs disappointment, anger, and resentment because of the conversion of the ninevites, and with the gentle persuasion of the lord, who provided motivation for jonah, pointing him toward a more acceptable attitude. Jonah 4 commentary matthew henrys concise commentary on. We can only hope that jonah and we would have such a humble response. Chapter 5 the sign of jonah jesus said that an evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign. Every chapter stepped through each verse of the book and provided a clear presentation of various view points throughout history as well as the authors own.

His making use of us is an evidence of his being at peace with us. Jonah 4 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on. Jonahs experiences form the main contents and purpose of the book. Most striking of all is the application of psalm 16. The major question of jonah 4 is connected to the books abrupt ending. These are the last words of jonah recording in this book, but thankfully. Jonah 4 commentary commentary critical and explanatory. Whatever the reasons for jonah s anger, he was wrong in it.

The only prophetic message that jonah announced was the one about the coming judgment over nineveh jonah 1. A free bible commentary on the book of jonah in simple english. Jonah repines at gods mercy to nineveh, and is reproved. Jonah 4 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on the. Jonah with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Jonah 4 is the fourth and the last chapter of the book of jonah in the hebrew bible or the old testament of the christian bible. The book of jonah is a book of the neviim prophets in the hebrew bible.

Surely the lives of so many thousand men, to say nothing of their immortal souls, are much more valuable than the life of a single contemptible plant. Apr 30, 2018 the major question of jonah 4 is connected to the books abrupt ending. Jonah 4, new international version niv the bible app. In both exodus 34 and jonah 4, gods attributes of mercy appear in conjunction with gods change of mind exodus 32. How sad the contrast between gods feeling on the repentance of nineveh towards him, and jonahs feeling on the repentance of god towards nineveh. This was strange, because usually the preacher is pleased when the congregation repents, but jonah wasnt. He was gods instrument to carry out gods will on earth. David guzik commentary on jonah 4, where jonah expresses his complaint. Jonah 4 new international version niv jonahs anger at the lord s compassion. The whole of jonah 4 is an account of jonah s displeasure. But it displeased jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. In the end, the book of jonah contains some of the clearest and most beautiful expressions about the nature and character of god in the entire old testament. And it was in the sense that he was speaking to god. As you read this chapter you cant help but notice the interplay between god and this heartless prophet.

In the opening chapter, god causes a great storm as a result of jonahs disobedience jonah 1. The only reference to jonah in a historical context is found in 2 kings 14. Jonah s experiences form the main contents and purpose of the book. Jonah had said, i do well to be angry, but he could not prove it.

Of course, the fact that jonah is trying to flee from this god of all creation makes him look even more comically stupid. Study guide for jonah 4 by david guzik blue letter bible. Jonah chapter 4 coffmans commentary of the new testament. In david guziks commentary he sums up this spirit by using a little poem of. Jewish tradition says that after god said the words of jonah 4. Jonah 4 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary is from the most widely read and often quoted preacher in history. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city.

In this sermon, jerry gifford deals with how the book of jonah ends. These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. However, the opening words of the book, now the word of yahweh came to jonah son of amittai 1. However, the book of jonah is presented in a nonhistorical setting. The whole commentary was very insightful with its picture of what god is saying in the book of jonah. Summary far from being pleased at the fruitful outcome of his preaching, jonah was angry that the lord had spared the ninevites. He saves, because of his grace, and not because of our worthiness. Verses 14 what all the saints make matter of joy and praise, jonah makes the subject of reflection upon god. Jonah free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible. Jonah 4 bible commentary matthew henry concise christianity. Chapter 4 we read of wrath that kills the foolish man, and envy that slays the silly one job 5. Jonah chapter 1 coffmans commentary of the new testament. When we left jonah at the end of chapter three he had just witnessed what could well be the greatest revival recorded in the bible.

This book of jonah, though it be placed here in the midst of the prophetical books of scripture, is yet rather a history than a prophecy. This is a summary of the fourth chapter of jonah, the most important verse, and what i think god is wanting us to do in response to it. In chapter 2, jonah prayed that god would save his life, but in chapter 4, jonah prayed that god would take his life. The whole of jonah 4 is an account of jonahs displeasure. This is a study guide commentarywhich means that you are. Jonah 4 commentary spurgeons verse expositions of the bible.

The book seems to drop off a cliff without any further resolution. Jonah 4 commentary commentary critical and explanatory on. In all the book of god we scarcely find a servant of the lord and such a one we are. See how tender god is of his people in their afflictions, even though they are foolish and froward. This morning we come to the 4th and final chapter of the book of jonah. There are allusions, in his prayer, to the great messianic psalms 22, 69 and 16. Jonah chapter 4 summary and what god wants from us youtube. It tells of a hebrew prophet named jonah son of amittai who is sent by god to prophesy the destruction of nineveh but tries to escape the divine mission. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate god, slow to anger and abounding in love, a god who relents. Whatever the reasons for jonahs anger, he was wrong in it.

In contrast to all other prophets of the ot his ministry was directed to the heathen inhabitants of nineveh and not to the people of israel. God is not controlled by things of the flesh, as jonah was. May 19, 2014 discussions on the old testament the book of jonah. That is what i tried to forestall by fleeing to tarshish.

Study the bible online using commentary on jonah 4 and more. Gods ministry to jonah chapter 4 the bible exposition commentary, cook communications, colorado springs, 2002, p. Those who have fretful, uneasy spirits, often make troubles for themselves, that they may still have something to complain of. The information presented covered context, dating, purpose, and interpretation of jonah. As far a nineveh is concerned, the book could have ended with. Jfb commentary on jonah chapter 4 christians unite.