By Gale Nelson
Date: Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Lesson Scripture(s): Jonah 3:1-2
Tags: #Jonah #fish #repentance #Nineveh #RunningWithGod

In this mid-week bible study lesson, the saints are encouraged to run with God, and not away from God. Stay in your lane!

KEY LESSON QUESTIONS

• What was God's command to Jonah? (Jonah 1:1)
• What is Jonah's hometown? (2 Kings 14:25)
• Where specifically did Jonah go after receiving God's command? (Jonah 1:3)
• What two things did God prepare in Chapters 1 and 2?

LESSON AT A GLANCE

• God is forgiving and patient (2nd time around for Jonah)… Jonah 3:1

• God's will is for the wicked to be saved… Jonah 3:1; 1 Timothy 2:1-4

• God will never compromise preaching: preach what he has authorized… Jonah 3:2

• God does not leave us directionless. He gives commands; it is up to us to obey or not.

○ You are either obedient or disobedient.

○ If you are going to call him Lord, do what he says (see Luke 6:46)

• Jonah's name in the Hebrew means "dove" or peaceful messenger.

• Running from God: You can run, but you can't hide from God… Proverbs 15:3; Hebrews 4:13

○ There is no creature that is not manifest in the sight of God!

○ Let us never forget to take ownership for our actions good or bad.

○ Jonah proclaims that salvation (deliverance) is from the Lord (see Jonah 2:9)

○ In the belly of the great fish, he committed to sacrificing unto the Lord with the voice of thanksgiving and was delivered (see Jonah 2:10)

• Running with God: It is important that we never step out of our lane and get ahead of God.

○ The first day into Ninevah, Jonah began preaching as the Lord instructed (see Jonah 3:4)

○ The Ninevites, including the king, turned away from their evil ways by fasting and mourning their sin (see Jonah 3:7-9)

• God's Response v. Jonah's Response to the Ninevites' repentance

○ God changed his mind about the evil that he said he would do unto them (see Jonah 3:10)

○ Jonah was angry and displeased that the people repented (see Jonah 4:1-2)

• Getting Ahead of God... Jonah 4:7-11

○ We are not judge and jury!

○ Is it in your spiritual benefit to be angry and not deal with the situation at hand? (v. 9)

○ God prepared a gourd for shade, which pleased Jonah because he was physically comfortable in the midst of his grief over the repentance of the Ninevites. Then God prepared a worm that smote the gourd, and then sent a steamy wind that made him uncomfortable that he fainted from the beating down of the sun. God admonished Jonah for being angry and sorrowful over the gourd that he labor not for, yet he could not find sorrow for the 120 thousand souls that repented of their evil.


CALL TO ACTION
• Jesus, a greater than Jonah, is here… Matthew 12:38-41
• Run with God... https://miamigardenscoc.net/salvation.php
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RECOMMENDED LINKS
* In Which Direction Are You Heading, Part 1: https://youtu.be/9zsBh7KV17w
* Repentance: https://youtu.be/n5Ze_Hi_Li0
* Website: https://www.miamigardenscoc.net