The Preparation of God
GTCOTR/SS102002
The Story of Jonah
The Setting: Open Bibles to the book of Jonah, p.1495
* Jonah was an OT Prophet of God serving the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the reign of King Jeroboam II, who reigned 792-753 B.C. (2 Kings 14:25)
* The historical reality of Jonah in the belly of the great fish as well as his preaching in Nineveh was verified by Jesus who referenced Jonah’s experiences. (Matthew 12:39-41; 16:4; Luke 11:29-32)
* Jonah lived in Gath Hepher, a small town just Northeast of Nazareth in Zebulun.
* Jonah’s ministry included encouraging prophecies to Israel followed by a time of prosperity under King Jeroboam II.
* It appears that Jonah had a restrictive view of God’s compassion & grace. He believed that only the Israelites deserved God’s blessings.
* Assyria was an historical & future enemy of Israel.
* Nineveh was the flourishing capital city of Assyrian empire.
> It was first built by Asshur, the second son of Shem. Genesis 10:11
> Nineveh was located on the bank of the Tigris River.
> The city was 30 miles long and 10 miles wide
> Nineveh’s population at this time was so large that it contained more than 120,000 children so young they had not yet reached the age to recognize their right from their left, nor right from wrong.
> The city’s destruction was prophesied by
^ Nahum; Zephaniah; Isaiah
> After having reigned in tyranny for over 600 years, Nineveh’s destruction was fulfilled in about 612 B.C. The city still lies in ruins
* Jonah did not like the opulence, the wickedness, the tyrannical rule, or the hideous violence and threats of the Assyrians nor the fact they were just not Israelites, not even true Semitic, but a mixed and ungodly nation and therefore not a part of the chosen people of God.
> Jonah was prejudice
> Jonah exalted himself and the Jews above these, believing that God should not love and forgive the enemies of Israel.
> Jonah knew God was merciful and that God would forgive them and reconsider His intent to destroy Nineveh if the people repented and turned to Him.
^ Jonah did not want to see Nineveh repent & be saved
^ Jonah did not want to preach this to his enemies
^ Jonah did not want to be a part of God’s plan to offer the Assyrians a chance at forgiveness, repentance or mercy
^ Jonah knew what God wanted but did not agree
The Story:
* The Word of the Lord came to Jonah
> Arise, go to Nineveh …
* Jonah walks the opposite direction to Joppa
> He catches a boat headed in the opposite direction
> He wanted to get away from the presence of God
^ maybe the voices would stop
^ maybe the conviction & condemnation would cease
^ maybe the struggling would quit
* The Storm at Sea
> Lots were cast, divination
> Jonah confesses
> He is reluctantly thrown overboard at his own request
Note: “It’s a sad truth but at times getting rid of the person will get rid of the problem.” (no one, not even these men, want to do it)
* God had prepared a great fish that swallows Jonah
> 3 days and nights in the fish’s belly
* In his affliction Jonah prays to God
> I will pay that which I have vowed, Salvation is of the Lord.
* God spoke to the fish who spits Jonah up onto dry ground
* The Word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time
> Arise, go to Nineveh …
> So, Jonah went!
* Jonah begins his first day’s walk into the city & cries
> “In 40 days Nineveh will be overthrown!”
* The people believe Jonah’s preaching
> they repent with fasting and mourning
* The king of Nineveh hears and he repents
> The king decrees a fast for every man & beast
> He commands the people to turn from evil and violence
* God sees the repentance
> God reconsiders and decides not to destroy them
* This angers Jonah
> He tells God, “I knew it … this is what I said You would do while I was still in my own country … This is why I started out for Tarshish to get away from you, God.”
^ I know that You are a gracious and merciful God
^ I know that you are slow to anger
^ I know that you are abundant in loving-kindness
^ I know that you reconsider doing any harm
^ Just kill me … I do not want to live
* The Lord answers Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry?”
* Jonah goes out of the city and sits down to watch and wait
* That night God prepared a gourd to grow and it’s vine to shade Jonah from the sun
> Jonah was happy for the vine
* God prepared a worm to eat the vine and it withered and died
* God prepared a terrible east wind and the sun to beat down on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint.
* Jonah was angry and wished to die
> God said, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”
> Jonah replied, “It is right for me to be angry, even to death!”
* God revealed His own heart to Jonah, as well as Jonah’s heart to Jonah
> You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored nor made it grow … should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, and the more than 120,000 young children and all the animals, (which I did labor for and caused to grow).
Four Times In This Book God Is Said To Have Prepared Something:
Jonah 1:17 The LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah.
Jonah 4:6 The LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah,
Jonah 4:7 God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day
Jonah 4:8 God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah
For our lesson today, let’s look for a moment at God this fish:
What others may see as punishment for your past , God may see as preparation or positioning for your future.
Like David, Joseph & Paul - The journey may be your best friend
God provides a place to preserve and protect people while He prepares them to participate in and perform His purposed plans.
* God did not prepare the fish to kill Jonah nor did God leave Jonah to drown.
God is a God of Preparation, a God of Purpose, A God of Plans!
(Noah and the ark)
Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house
1 Peter 3:20 … the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing …
Preparation takes some time & God is never late, He is always prepared before it’s time
Jesus said, “I go away to prepare a place for you”
John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Eye not seen ear not heard …
1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Exodus 23:
20 Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.
21 Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.
22 But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.
What may seem like a surprise to you is actually a plan to God.
Don’t let what works on you work in you or it will work through you and that might work against you.
Rather, let God’s word work in you concerning what is working on you so that He can work through you and everything will work for you.
God is prepared … and He has prepared you before you knew it
2 Chronicles 29:36 And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the people: for the thing was done suddenly.
2 Questions this morning:
#1. What Has God prepared for you?
#2. What has God prepared you for?
When we want to know what God wants us to do, we should look behind us and see what He has prepared us to do.
Don’t be afraid, don’t be angry, don’t run away, don’t disagree with God … He2 Chronicles 29:36 And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the people: for the thing was done suddenly. has a plan for you … let Him be God!
