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…. Cherished. Bible. Stories. Stories From The Old Testament That Build Faith & Devotion. Cherished Bible Stories. Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion. An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs Toward God 1:17 – 2:10
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Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The Old Testament That Build Faith & Devotion
Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs Toward God 1:17 – 2:10 • Jonah’s stay in the fish’s belly is important • Jesus gives this event credibility when He compares it to His own D/B/R Mt 12:38-40 • Would the Lord have used something “fictitious” to certify His own resurrection?
Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs Toward God 1:17 – 2:10 • While Jonah was in the fish’s belly, how good do you suppose Ninevah looked? • POINTÙ How much better will things go for us when we do not try “evading” the will of God?
Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs Toward God 1:17 – 2:10 • Jonah’s prayer 2:1-9 • It emphasizes several emotions… - helplessness, fear, separation from God - realization that if salvation (deliverance) comes, it only comes from God
Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs Toward God 1:17 – 2:10 • Jonah’s prayer 2:1-9 • It emphasizes several emotions… - repentance (renewed resolve) to fulfill one’s God-given duties 2 Cor 7:10-11 - chastisement from a loving, but fair Father Heb 12:5-11
Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs Toward God 1:17 – 2:10 • Jonah’s prayer 2:1-9 • He expressed his own sinfulness, and his attempts to still reach out toward God • He admits God’s just nature to punish Him, yet he knows God hears the penitent
Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs Toward God 1:17 – 2:10 • Jonah’s prayer 2:1-9 • He concluded by vowing to serve God as He commanded (i.e. he will go to Ninevah) • God’s response 2:10 • The fish vomits Jonah up on the shore
Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs Toward God 1:17 – 2:10 • Some Applications… • God uses that which we think will “destroy” us (the fish swallowing Jonah) to actually humble and save us • God is a “God of 2nd chances”
Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs With God 3:1-10 • God’s word came to Jonah a 2nd time v. 1 • It was the same as the 1st time v. 2 1:2 • POINTÙall human efforts cannot thwart God’s will Mt 5:18 24:35 1 Pet 1:24-25 Isa 55:8-11
Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs With God 3:1-10 • Notice what God did not mention • He said nothing of Jonah’s previous conduct in rebelling against His will • Based on Jonah’s repentance, God had forgiven and forgotten Heb 8:12
“Yet forty days and Ninevah will be destroyed.” Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs With God 3:1-10 • Jonah goes to Ninevah, cries against it v. 3 • The city is large…a “daunting task” v. 4a • His “oracle” is only 8 words long v. 4b
Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs With God 3:1-10 • The people of Ninevah responded vv. 5-9 • They “believed in God” v. 5a • They “fasted and put on sackcloth” v. 5b • The king also repented, and decreed that everyone “repent” & “call on God” vv. 6-9
Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion An Unbelievable Fish Story Jonah 1-4 Jonah Runs With God 3:1-10 • Ninevah’s repentance = genuine Mt 12:41 • Jesus compared them to hypocrites • Why was Jonah successful? Lk 11:29-30 • He was a “sign” to the people of Ninevah just as Christ would be to the Jews