Jonah Chapter 3 Finish

The author of the book is Jonah. His name (הָונֹי Yonah) means “dove.” Yahshua Messiah mentions Jonah, and the account of this book, as true history (Mat 12:39-41)

Jonah had strong national pride and hated the Assyrians, and his attitude reflected that of Israel. Though Yahweh hated the evil of the Assyrians, He loved them and desired their salvation. For this reason, Yahweh called Jonah to preach to them (Jon 1:1-2), but His prophet declined and ran away (Jon 1:3). Yahweh began a series of judgments upon His disobedient prophet which included a storm (Jon 1:4), the pressure of Gentile sailors (Jon 1:5-16), and a great fish that swallowed him (Jon 1:17). From the belly of the great fish Jonah was humbled and cried out to the Lord, who saved him (Jon 2:1-10). The humbled prophet then obeyed the Lord and preached to the Ninevites (Jon 3:1-4), and the people of the city believed in Yahweh and the Lord changed His mind about the judgment He was going to bring on them (Jon 3:5-10). Yahweh’s mercy and grace greatly upset Jonah to the point where he wanted to die (Jon 4:1-3), but the grace Yahweh showed to Nineveh was shown to Jonah, which grace reflects the Lord’s sovereignty (Jon 4:4-11). The overall purpose of the book of Jonah is to reveal that Yahweh’s grace, compassion, and mercy extends to evil and hostile nations just as it does to His people

In this study we will finish Chapter 3

In our last study we read about Jonah getting a second chance from Yahweh to go Nineveh and preach to them. This time Jonah didn’t try to run and hide but listen to the words of Yahweh! We read in verse 5 that the people of Nineveh “believed” in the divine message from Yahweh through Jonah. Even though we may not see the word “repent” we are lead to believe that the people of Nineveh did “repent”

7    The King made it a law that all should participate in the offering to The One True Yahweh. So serious did the Ninevites take this vow that even their animals were ordered to participate in it. Yahweh surely touched the hearts of the people of Nineveh in a very strong way. For just a few days prior, Nineveh was worshiping fish gods and participating in all forms of wickedness and idolatry

9              turn and repent = Change His mind, turn away from destroying them. They are holding faith that if the repent and change their evil ways, that Yahweh will spare them. This no doubt impressed Yahweh, for Nineveh as you remember, was a Heathen Pagan evil city. I'm sure that Yahweh was impressed at the heartfelt change and sacrifice that the Ninevites had made

10           their works = Not their words only, but Yahweh recognized the sincere change that they had made. Nineveh had been saved by the grace and mercy of the Lord because they effected a real change. Don't read over the fact that Yahweh expects something from you

                Elohim saw their works…and Elohim repented = Yahweh honored Nineveh’s repentance, even though their past sin was reason enough for an outpouring of judgment. The state would never forgive a cold-blooded murderer who vowed to never do it again, but Yahweh mercifully repented from judgment against the people of Nineveh

We do not obligate Yahweh to forgive us when we repent. Instead, repentance appeals to Yahweh’s mercy, not His justice

 Yahweh repented from the evil that He had said He would do unto them, and He did it not = Did Yahweh’s repenting make Jonah a false prophet, when he prophesied Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be overthrown? Not at all, for two good reasons

Join me as we go Chapter by Chapter, Verse by Verse, Unraveling the Words of Yahweh!

Have any questions? Feel free to email me; keitner2024@outlook.com