Jonah 1
BSB1 Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai, saying, 2 “Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before Me." 3 Jonah, however, got up to flee to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship bound for Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went aboard to sail for Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. 4 Then the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship was in danger of breaking apart. 5 The sailors were afraid, and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the ship’s cargo into the sea to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down to the lowest part of the vessel, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. 6 The captain approached him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call upon your God. Perhaps this God will consider us, so that we may not perish." 7 “Come!” said the sailors to one another. “Let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity that is upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. 8 “Tell us now,” they demanded, “who is to blame for this calamity that is upon us? What is your occupation, and where have you come from? What is your country, and who are your people?" 9 “I am a Hebrew,” replied Jonah. “I worship the LORD, the God of the heavens, who made the sea and the dry land." 10 Then the men were even more afraid and said to him, “What have you done?” The men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them. 11 Now the sea was growing worse and worse, so they said to Jonah, “What must we do to you to calm this sea for us?" 12 “Pick me up,” he answered, “and cast me into the sea, so it may quiet down for you. For I know that I am to blame for this violent storm that has come upon you." 13 Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they could not, for the sea was raging against them more and more. 14 So they cried out to the LORD: “Please, O LORD, do not let us perish on account of this man’s life! Do not charge us with innocent blood! For You, O LORD, have done as You pleased." 15 At this, they picked up Jonah and cast him into the sea, and the raging sea grew calm. 16 Then the men feared the LORD greatly, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to Him. 17 Now the LORD had appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the fish.
Study Notes — Jonah 1
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Jonah 1
- Themes from Jonah 1
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Jonah 1
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
The chapter begins with God's command to Jonah to preach to the people of Nineveh, but instead of obeying, Jonah tries to flee to Tarshish. He boards a ship, but God sends a great storm that threatens to destroy the vessel. The sailors try to save the ship, but eventually, they throw Jonah overboard, and he is swallowed by a large fish. The chapter ends with Jonah in the fish's belly, praying to God for rescue. Key verses include Jonah 1:1-3, where God gives Jonah his mission, and Jonah 1:15, where the sailors throw Jonah overboard. The chapter shows how God is in control of all things, even when humans try to disobey Him.
Context for the Chapter
Jonah chapter 1 is the beginning of the book of Jonah, which is a part of the Old Testament prophets. The book of Jonah is unique in that it is a narrative about a prophet, rather than a collection of prophetic sayings. The chapter sets the stage for the rest of the book, which tells the story of Jonah's mission to Nineveh and the people's response to his message. The chapter also connects to the larger biblical narrative, which emphasizes God's sovereignty and mercy.
Heart Application
As we read about Jonah's attempt to flee from God, we are reminded of the importance of submitting to God's will. We must recognize that God is sovereign and that His commands are not to be taken lightly. We must also remember that God is merciful and forgiving, and that He desires to use us for His purposes, even when we fail.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
Jonah chapter 1 is about a prophet named Jonah who tries to run away from God's command to preach to the people of Nineveh. But God stops him and sends him back to fulfill his mission. The chapter shows that God is in control of all things and that He is merciful and forgiving. As we read this chapter, we are reminded to submit to God's will and trust in His sovereignty (Jonah 1:2-3).
Voices from the Church
“The prophet Jonah was a type of our Lord Jesus Christ, and his experience in the fish's belly was a picture of Christ's death and resurrection.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“God's sovereignty is shown in the fact that He can use even the disobedience of His servants to accomplish His will.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- God's Command to Jonah (Jonah 1:1-3) — God tells Jonah to preach to the people of Nineveh, but Jonah tries to flee instead.
- Jonah's Attempt to Flee (Jonah 1:4-10) — Jonah boards a ship to Tarshish, but God sends a storm to stop him.
- The Sailors' Fear and Jonah's Confession (Jonah 1:11-16) — The sailors try to save the ship, but eventually, they throw Jonah overboard.
- Jonah in the Fish's Belly (Jonah 1:17) — Jonah is swallowed by a large fish, where he prays to God for rescue.
- Conclusion (Jonah 1:17) — The chapter ends with Jonah in the fish's belly, setting the stage for the rest of the book.
Core Doctrines
- God's Sovereignty
- This chapter teaches that God is in control of all things, including the weather and the actions of people.
- Human Disobedience
- The chapter shows the futility of trying to run from God and the importance of submitting to His will.
- God's Mercy
- The chapter highlights God's mercy and forgiveness, even to those who try to disobey Him.
- Redemption
- The chapter points to the concept of redemption, as Jonah's experience in the fish's belly prefigures Christ's death and resurrection.
Lessons from Jonah 1
- The Importance of Submitting to God's Will — We must recognize that God is sovereign and that His commands are not to be taken lightly.
- The Futility of Trying to Run from God — We must remember that God is always present and aware of our actions, and that trying to flee from Him is impossible.
- The Mercy and Forgiveness of God — We must trust in God's mercy and forgiveness, even when we fail or disobey Him.
- The Concept of Redemption — We must understand that our salvation is a result of God's redemption, which is prefigured in Jonah's experience in the fish's belly.
- The Importance of Trusting in God's Sovereignty — We must trust in God's sovereignty and submit to His will, even when we do not understand His ways.
Themes from Jonah 1
- God's Sovereignty — The chapter highlights God's control over all things, including the weather and the actions of people.
- Human Disobedience — The chapter shows the futility of trying to run from God and the importance of submitting to His will.
- God's Mercy — The chapter highlights God's mercy and forgiveness, even to those who try to disobey Him.
- Redemption — The chapter points to the concept of redemption, as Jonah's experience in the fish's belly prefigures Christ's death and resurrection.
- Trust in God's Sovereignty — The chapter teaches us to trust in God's sovereignty and submit to His will, even when we do not understand His ways.
Questions for Meditation
- What does this chapter teach us about God's sovereignty?
- How does Jonah's attempt to flee from God relate to our own experiences of trying to run from God's will?
- What does the chapter show us about God's mercy and forgiveness?
- How does the chapter point to the gospel and the concept of redemption?
- What practical lessons can we apply to our own lives from this chapter?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. God's Command to Jonah (Jonah 1:1-3)
| Jonah 1:1 | The word of the Lord came to Jonah, saying, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me." |
| Jonah 1:2 | Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me. |
| Jonah 1:3 | But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord. |
2. Jonah's Attempt to Flee (Jonah 1:4-10)
| Jonah 1:4 | But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up. |
| Jonah 1:5 | Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. They hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep. |
3. The Sailors' Fear and Jonah's Confession (Jonah 1:11-16)
| Jonah 1:11 | So the sailors said to him, "What shall we do to you, that the sea may quiet down for us?" For the sea grew more and more tempestuous. |
| Jonah 1:12 | He said to them, "Pick me up and hurl me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you. For I know that this tempest has come upon you because of me." |
4. Jonah in the Fish's Belly (Jonah 1:17)
| Jonah 1:17 | And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jonah try to flee from God?
Jonah tried to flee from God because he did not want to preach to the people of Nineveh, who were known for their wickedness. He may have been afraid of their response or felt that they were beyond redemption (Jonah 1:2-3).
What does the fish represent in the story?
The fish represents God's mercy and forgiveness. It is a picture of Christ's death and resurrection, as Jonah is in the fish's belly for three days and then is spit out (Jonah 1:17, Matthew 12:40).
What is the main theme of the chapter?
The main theme of the chapter is God's sovereignty and human disobedience. The chapter shows how God is in control of all things and how humans must submit to His will (Jonah 1:1-3).
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonah 1:1 → Genesis 12:1 | Both verses show God's command to a prophet to go to a specific place and preach to the people. |
| 2 | Jonah 1:2 → Matthew 12:40 | Both verses show the connection between Jonah's experience in the fish's belly and Christ's death and resurrection. |
| 3 | Jonah 1:3 → Psalm 139:7-10 | Both verses show the futility of trying to flee from God's presence. |
| 4 | Jonah 1:4 → Psalm 107:25-27 | Both verses show God's power over the weather and the sea. |
| 5 | Jonah 1:5 → Psalm 33:8-9 | Both verses show the fear and respect that people have for God's power. |
| 6 | Jonah 1:11 → Mark 4:37-41 | Both verses show the power of faith and trust in God's sovereignty. |
| 7 | Jonah 1:12 → Acts 27:21-25 | Both verses show the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty, even in the midst of danger or uncertainty. |
| 8 | Jonah 1:17 → Matthew 12:40 | Both verses show the connection between Jonah's experience in the fish's belly and Christ's death and resurrection. |
Sermons on Jonah 1
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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A Worm's Eye View of Missions by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the lessons Jonah learned about God in the first three chapters of the book of Jonah. In chapter one, Jonah learns about God's providence and |
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The Grace of Yielding - Part 2 by Derek Prince | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being willing to let go and surrender to God's will. He uses the example of Jesus, who gave up his life on the cross and re |
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Radical Discipleship - Session 1 by Alan Redpath | This sermon delves into the story of Jonah, highlighting his rebellion against God's command to go to Nineveh, his attempt to flee to Tarshish, and the consequences of his disobedi |
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Brokenness Study #4 - the Protest by Charles Stanley | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jonah and highlights the consequences of resisting and rebelling against God. He emphasizes that resisting God comes at a great |
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The Call of God by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of preaching the word of God and fulfilling our missionary responsibilities. He highlights that living in a global village mea |
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How to Save a City by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Jonah and the city of Nineveh. He highlights the incredible missionary miracle that occurred when the entire city, possibly cons |
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When Jesus Lays His Hands on You by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher expresses his desire for God to raise up young men and women in the congregation to become missionaries, pastors, and evangelists. He emphasizes the im |
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Better the Easy Way Than the Hard Way by Chuck Smith | This sermon delves into the story of Jonah, highlighting the lessons learned about obedience, God's all-encompassing presence, and the consequences of trying to run from God's call |
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The Missing Missionary by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of using our words to share the message of Jesus Christ. He contrasts the meaningless conversations people have about trivial |
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The Call of God - Standing Together Fast by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of pastors and Christian workers leaving the ministry. He highlights various reasons for this, including financial pressure, dryness |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Jonah 1
In this chapter, we see the prophet Jonah trying to flee from God's command to preach to the people of Nineveh. But God is sovereign and will not be disobeyed. He sends a great storm to stop Jonah and then provides a miraculous rescue through the fish that swallows him. This chapter teaches us about God's power and mercy, as well as the importance of submitting to His will. As Matthew Henry notes, "The sea is a great deep, and the waves thereof are mighty; but God is greater than the sea, and mightier than the waves thereof." We must trust in God's sovereignty and submit to His will, even when we do not understand His ways (Jonah 1:1-3). Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
God's Sovereignty
We notice that God is in control of all things, including the weather and the actions of people. He is able to stop Jonah from fleeing and bring him back to His will.
Human Disobedience
We see that Jonah tries to disobey God's command, but ultimately, he is unable to escape God's will. This shows the futility of trying to run from God.
God's Mercy
We notice that God is merciful and forgiving, even to those who try to disobey Him. He rescues Jonah from the fish's belly and gives him a second chance to fulfill his mission.