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THE SIGN OF THE DOVE

THE SIGN OF THE DOVE. a study in Jonah. THE SIGN OF THE DOVE. 1. Flight of the Dove. Key Character: Jonah. Jonah (Yonah) = Dove. Jonah is son of Amittai Jonah 1:1 Jonah is from Gath Hepher 2 Kings 14:25 Gath Hepher is in Zebulun Joshua 19:10,13. => Jonah is of the tribe of Zebulun

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THE SIGN OF THE DOVE

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  1. THE SIGN OF THE DOVE a study in Jonah

  2. THE SIGN OF THE DOVE 1 Flight of the Dove

  3. Key Character: Jonah Jonah (Yonah) = Dove Jonah is son of AmittaiJonah 1:1 Jonah is from Gath Hepher2 Kings 14:25 Gath Hepher is in ZebulunJoshua 19:10,13 => Jonah is of the tribe of Zebulun Why are we told this?

  4. Timeline of Minor Prophets CAPTIVITY Israel Hosea Jonah Amos United 900 800 700 600 500 BC Haggai Nahum Obadiah Habakkuk Micah Joel Zechariah Zephaniah Malachi Jerusalem Judah

  5. Jonah: A Precedental Prophet Samuel Nathan Elijah Elisha Amos Jonah Hosea Micah Zephaniah Jeremiah Nahum Habakkuk Isaiah Ezekiel Daniel Obadiah Haggai Zechariah Joel Malachi ] Key: Prophet to United Israel Prophet to 10-tribe Israel Prophet to 2-tribe Judah PROPHET TO THE GENTILES

  6. H A Prophets: Message: Elisha Jonah Israel will be liberated from Syrian power Hosea Amos Israel now adulterous / misaligned Jonah Nineveh destroyed unless they repent Key Events ASSYRIA J Nineveh Jerusalem J J Damascus SYRIA E ISRAEL

  7. Key Place: Nineveh Nineveh • Most rapid Assyrian expansion: 824-625 BC • Jonah’s prophecy is during this time • Assyria fighting Israel and winning • Nineveh capital city of Assyria THE HEART OF ENEMY TERRITORY!

  8. The Book of Jonah: A Charge to Preach 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.” But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. Jonah 1:1-3 • Jonah evades the mission to Nineveh: • Because he’ll be killed • Because they’re the ENEMY

  9. Can One Flee the Lord’s Presence? Not one will get away, none will escape. Though they dig [Heb: chathar] down to the depths of the grave, from there my hand will take them. Though they climb up to the heavens, from there I will bring them down. Though they hide themselves on the top of Carmel, there I will hunt them down and seize them. Though they hide from me at the bottom of the sea, there I will command the serpent [Heb: nachash]to bite them. Amos 9:1-3

  10. Conundrum: Beyond the Lord’s Presence? The presence of the Lord seems to be the place where the Lord is active So Cain went out from the LORD’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden. Gen 4:16 E.g. Eden: E.g. Israel: So the LORD was very angry with Israel and removed them from his presence. 2 Kgs 17:18

  11. Who Will Save Whom? Israeli to Gentiles Gentiles to Israeli “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. Jonah 1:2-3 “Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” [Jonah] replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.” Instead, the men did their best to row [Heb: chathar] back to land. Jonah 1:12-13 • Gentiles will work (dig) for Jonah’s life • Jonah is indifferent to Gentile peril Sin: No SYMPATHY for those outside God’s love

  12. The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So [the sailors] asked [Jonah], “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?” “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.” Jonah 1:11-12 Conundrum: Was Jonah right to offer himself? Where can we find an answer?

  13. On Stormy Seas the Lord sent a great wind on the sea the ship threatened to break up. Jonah had gone below …fell into a deep sleep. “How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god… and we will not perish.” “Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” [Jonah] replied, “and it will become calm.” Jonah 1:4-12 A furious squall came up the boat… was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” [Jesus] said… “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. Mark 4:37-39 So Jonah has made a poor choice So what principle has he overlooked?

  14. Mercy, not Sacrifice The Principle For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings. Hos 6:6 Jonah “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.” Jonah 1:12 Judas seized with remorse… “I have sinned,” he said... Then he went away and hanged himself. Mt 27:3-5 Sin: Lost sight of God’s Mercy

  15. Stay in the Boat 1 Revelation to Paul …a wind of hurricane force, called the “northeaster,” swept down We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. Paul stood up before them and said: “…I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel… said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’” Acts 27:14-24 2a Passover Law Not one of you shall go out the door of his house until morning. Ex 12:22 2b Passover Violation As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night. Jn 13:30 3 Today Don’t bail out of the ecclesial vessel on your co-sailors

  16. Revisit Conundrum: Beyond the Lord’s Presence? • We have reasoned Jonah was: • Wrong to sacrifice himself • Failed to perceive God’s mercy • Conclusion: • Jonah places himself beyond God’s reach by failing to see God’s mercy • Jonah is therefore “Beyond the Presence of the Lord”: the place he initially tried to go Lesson: Don’t run away from God • Because you can’t • Because you can

  17. How?! It’s Landlocked!! Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. Ps 107:28-30 Guided to Safe Haven… Remember Jonah’s effect on the sailors At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him. Jonah 1:16 …by the Prophet of Zebulun Jacob’s Blessing “Zebulun will… become a haven for ships” Gen 49:13

  18. Conclusion: “Flight of the Dove” • God extends salvation to the Gentiles • Jonah precedental prophet to Gentiles: precedentally called to save the enemy • Jonah’s 1st sin: no SYMPATHY for Gentiles outside of God’s mercy, even though Gentiles were sympathetic to his plight! • Jonah’s 2nd sin: wrong to sacrifice himself, lost sight of God’s MERCY • Sailors brought to safe spiritual haven by prophet of Zebulun; fulfilling Jacob’s prophecy

  19. THE SIGN OF THE DOVE 2 The Education of the Psalms

  20. Threads: “Flight of the Dove” • Jonah precedental prophet to Gentiles: precedentally called to save the enemy • Jonah’s 1st sin: no SYMPATHY for Gentiles outside of God’s mercy, even though Gentiles were sympathetic to his plight! • Jonah’s 2nd sin: wrong to sacrifice himself, lost sight of God’s MERCY

  21. Jonah’s Prayer: Order of Service Old Testament Israel 1 Gentile sailors pray to their gods Jonah 1:4 2 Sailors instruct Jonah to call on his God Jonah 1:6 3 Gentile sailors pray to Israel’s God Jonah 1:14 4 Jonah prays to Israel’s God Jonah 2:1 New Testament Israel “the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you… and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did.” Mt 21:32 Challenge: Contemporary (spiritual) Israel…? Are we the first to engender spiritual discussion?

  22. Jonah’s Prayer: The Big Picture A stunning revelation, through two obvious facts 1. Jonah’s prayer offers God thanks for being saved 2. Jonah has not been saved ‘Presumptuous’ Prayer Jonah is not giving thanks for the salvation he has received, but for the salvation he trusts he will receive. Usual sequence: Trial; Prayer; Deliverance; Thanksgiving Lesson: We can – should! – presume upon God’s goodness! Do we thank God for bringing His kingdom?

  23. Jonah’s Prayer: Fine Detail Context 18:25-27 88:3-5,13-14 5:3-4 116:1-2 69:15-16 68:13 30:1-12 18:16,19 116:8-9 31:5-8 116:12-19 37:7-11,29 Jonah Psalm 2:2 18:6 2:3 88:7 42:7 2:4 5:7 2:5 116:3 69:2 2:6 68:22 30:3 2:7 18:6 116:4 2:8 31:6 2:9 116:13-14 2:9 37:39 9 statements - Every one a quote from the Psalms! 3 Days’ effort Knew his Bible So what? Can Discover a Hidden Prayer in subtext!

  24. Education of the Psalms In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice. Psa 18:6 In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry. Jonah 2:2 Psalm 18 Fascinatingly relevant context David writesPs 18when literally ‘exhausted’2 Sam 21:15 Jonah recognizes his culpability “To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd. You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.” Psa 18:25-27

  25. Education of the Psalms Your wrath lies heavily upon me; you have overwhelmed me with all your waves... all your waves and breakers have swept over me. Psa 88:7; 42:7 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. Jonah 2:3 Psalm 88 “my life draws near the grave… I am set apart with the dead” Psa 88:3-5 Jonah cannot see any response from God to his prayer “But I cry to you for help, O Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you. Why, O Lord, do you reject me and hide your face from me?” Psa 88:13-14

  26. Education of the Psalms But I, by your great mercy, will come into your house; in reverence will I bow down toward your holy temple. Psa 5:7 I said, “I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.” Jonah 2:4 Psalm 5 But Jonah waits hopefully for an answer… “In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”Psa 5:3 …because he knows the character of his God “You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil” Psa 5:4

  27. Education of the Psalms I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me… The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me. Psa 69:2; 116:3 The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. Jonah 2:5 Psalms 116, 69 Finally, Jonah Sees Mercy!... “I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.” Psa 116:1-2 …& Calls God to Act from His Mercy “Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me. Answer me, O Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me.” Psa 69:15-16

  28. Education of the Psalms The Lord says… I will bring them from the depths of the sea… O Lord, you brought me up from the grave; you spared me from going down into the pit. Psa 68:22; 30:3 To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you brought my life up from the pit, O Lord my God. Jonah 2:6 Psalms 68, 30 Mercy: The Dove Sheathed with Gold “the wings of my dove [Heb: Jonah] are sheathed with silver, its feathers with shining gold.” Psa 68:13 • Jonah sees that he is sheathed with gold • The Temple was sheathed with gold1 Kin 6-7 • Psalm 30is the Dedication of the Temple! • Jonah sees HE is the Temple; declares he is open for business!!

  29. Education of the Psalms I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice… I called on the name of the Lord: “O Lord, save me!” Psa 18:6; 116:4 When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. Jonah 2:7 Psalms 18, 116 Mercy – Jonah sees he will be restored to life… “For you, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.” Psa 116:8-9 …by being pulled out of deep waters “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters... He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” Psa 18:16,19

  30. Education of the Psalms I hate those who cling to worthless idols; I trust in the Lord. Psa 31:6 Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. Jonah 2:8 Psalm 31 “I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.” Psa 31:7-8 Jonah’s Own Contribution - Recognises MERCYfor himself! - Displays SYMPATHY for others! Jonah has reversed his behaviour: his sins are now completely forgiven, because he has left them

  31. I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people… Psa 116:13-14 Education of the Psalms But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Jonah 2:9 Psalm 116 Jonah knows that he must ‘walk the walk’ “How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?... O Lord, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant; you have freed me from my chains. I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord” Psa 116:12,16-19

  32. Education of the Psalms The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord. Psa 37:39 Salvation comes from the Lord. Jonah 2:9 Psalm 37 At last: Salvation. Both in the moment… “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.” Psa 37:3 …and forever! “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him… For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace …the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.” Psa 37:7-11,29

  33. Revealing the Hidden Prayer The ‘Hidden’ Prayer Quote’s Context God brings the haughty low, thus I lie with the dead. My morning prayer is unanswered, so I must wait - expectantly! God is good, so He hears my cry for mercy and His mercy will act to save me! I [the dove] am sheathed with gold, dedicated to be a Temple! So I am drawn out of deep waters and set in the land of the living. I will trust in the Lord, whose mercy must be grasped. I will fulfill my vows before Him because the Lord saves: His people will live in the land forever! 1 Psa 18:25-27 2 Psa 88:3-5 Psa 88:13-14 3 Psa 5:3 Psa 5:4 4 Psa 116:1-2 Psa 69:15-16 5 Psa 68:13 Psa 30 6 Psa 18:16,19 Psa 116:8-9 7 Psa 31:5-7 Jonah’s Addition 8 Psa 116:12-19 9 Psa 37:7-11 Psa 37:29

  34. Conclusion: “The Education of the Psalms” • Jonah reversed both sins: prayer revealed perception of God’s MERCY and SYMPATHY for those outside it • Jonah demonstrated immense faith in thanking God for a blessing that had not even arrived! • If Jonah can learn from the Psalms, so should we! • Jonah learned his calling was to BE God’s Temple • Bible study is brilliantly rewarding: it is fascinating to see sub-textual messages

  35. THE SIGN OF THE DOVE 3 A Vine and A Worm

  36. Threads: “Flight of the Dove” • Jonah precedental prophet to Gentiles: precedentally called to save the enemy • Jonah’s 1st sin: no SYMPATHY for Gentiles outside of God’s mercy, even though Gentiles were sympathetic to his plight! • Jonah’s 2nd sin: wrong to sacrifice himself, lost sight of God’s MERCY

  37. Quote’s Context The ‘Hidden’ Prayer God brings the haughty low, thus I lie with the dead. My prayer is unanswered, so I must wait - expectantly! God is good, so He hears my cry for mercy and His mercy will act to save me! I [the dove] am sheathed with gold, dedicated as a Temple! So I am drawn out of deep waters and set in the land of the living. I will trust in the Lord, whose mercy must be grasped. I will fulfill my vows before Him because the Lord saves: His people will live forever! 1 Psa 18:25-27 2 Psa 88:3-5 Psa 88:13-14 3 Psa 5:3 Psa 5:4 4 Psa 116:1-2 Psa 69:15-16 5 Psa 68:13 Psa 30 6 Psa 18:16,19 Psa 116:8-9 7 Psa 31:5-7 Jonah’s Addition 8 Psa 116:12-19 9 Psa 37:7-11 Psa 37:29 Threads: “The Education of the Psalms” • Jonah reversed both sins: prayer revealed perception of God’s MERCY and SYMPATHY for those outside it • Jonah demonstrated immense faith in thanking God for a blessing that had not even arrived! • Jonah learned his calling was to BE God’s Temple

  38. Quote’s Context The ‘Hidden’ Prayer God brings the haughty low, thus I lie with the dead. My prayer is unanswered, so I must wait - expectantly! God is good, so He hears my cry for mercy and His mercy will act to save me! I [the dove] am sheathed with gold, dedicated as a Temple! So I am drawn out of deep waters and set in the land of the living. I will trust in the Lord, whose mercy must be grasped. I will fulfill my vows before Him because the Lord saves: His people will live forever! 1 Psa 18:25-27 2 Psa 88:3-5 Psa 88:13-14 3 Psa 5:3 Psa 5:4 4 Psa 116:1-2 Psa 69:15-16 5 Psa 68:13 Psa 30 6 Psa 18:16,19 Psa 116:8-9 7 Psa 31:5-7 Jonah’s Addition 8 Psa 116:12-19 9 Psa 37:7-11 Psa 37:29 The Unique Baptism of Jonah [Dove] The man who went into the water opposed God His conversion took place under water The man who emerged was dedicated to serving God Jonah [the Dove] becomes the perfect symbol of baptism

  39. A Study in Repentance [Jonah] 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. Jonah 3:4-5 Why is Nineveh forgiven so quickly? Jonah wasn’t!

  40. A Bleached Prophet? James Bartley, on board British whaling vessel Star of the East, was swallowed by a sperm whale off the Falkland Islands. Rescued the next day he suffered from bleached skin but survived.Yarmouth ‘Mercury,’ 22 Aug 1891 Points corroborating Points contradicting • Star of the East had made such a voyage • Sperm whales could swallow humans whole - documented case of a 400 lb squid found whole in a sperm whale in 1955 • Star of the East was not a whaling vessel • Star of the East had no James Bartley on the crew list • Captain J.B. Killam’s wife testified in 1906 that no-one had ever gone overboard

  41. The Perception of Mercy To see? (Nineveh) …or not to see? (Jonah) “Let everyone call urgently on God... Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.” Jonah 3:8-9 “Pick me up and throw me into the sea… I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.” Jonah 1:12 Mercy is immediate Mercy is delayed Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard… and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights. Jonah 1:15-17 When God saw what they did… he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened. Jonah 3:10 “Mercy Comes to Him who Mercy Sees”

  42. A Study in Leadership [Jonah] proclaimed: “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned.” The Ninevites believed God. Jonah 3:4 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.Jonah 3:10 God proclaimed destruction that never came What is an outside observer to make of this? • Almighty God has no ego • He does not need to explain Himself • He allows the full power of free will

  43. The Second Day A Vine and a Worm: What’s Going On? Jonah 4:4,9 The Second Day The First Day The Third Day

  44. wrath wrath A Vine and a Worm: The Lesson Jonah’s Enactment of God’s Plan God’s Plan for Nineveh • What does this living parable teach us? Jonah’s sin of lack of sympathy had recurred - All sins recur, so remedies must be persistent

  45. Jonah: A Vine, or a Worm? Vine and Worm mutually exclusive “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” John 15:1 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” Mt 23:37-38 Which are we, with spiritual Gentiles? Elitist and superior? Or sympathetic?

  46. After the Third Day: Mercy 3 Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights.Jonah 1:17 And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.Jonah 2:10 3 Now Nineveh was a very important city-a visit required three days.Jonah 3:3 When God saw… how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassionJonah 3:10 3 “[The vine] sprang up overnight and died overnight.”Jonah 4:10 “But Nineveh has more than 120 thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left… Should I not be concerned about that great city?”Jonah 4:11

  47. After the Third Day: Mercy Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. Hos 6:1-2

  48. Conclusions: “A Vine and a Worm” • Mercy comes to him who mercy sees • The One who forgives is not concerned with appearances to outsiders • The Scriptural pattern shows mercy after three days • We can be a vine or a worm to the Ninevites: but not both • The greater the perception of mercy for ourselves, the more likely we are to desire to shield another

  49. Themes in Jonah Jonah (Dove) precedental Gentile Prophet Didn’t initially sympathize with Gentiles Racism detrimental to his preaching Racism frustrated God’s plans of mercy - Are we spiritually racist? • God’s Mercy Evidenced after 3 days • Jonah in the fish (3 days) • Preaching to Nineveh (3 days) • The Vine and the Worm (3 days) Mercy seen when Looking to the TempleJonah 2:4,7

  50. Breadth of Mercy in the Book of Jonah Two Mercy Missions Opposing camps: God saves BOTH camps BOTH times 1st mission to Nineveh Ch 1-2 Sailors saved Jonah saved 2nd mission to Nineveh Ch 3-4 Nineveh saved Jonah saved

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