Author: Art Davison

THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH–OUTLINE OF THE BOOK

Art Davison THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH 0 Comment
THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH
OUTLINE OF THE BOOK
Introduction:

“Jeremiah began his ministry in the 13th year of Josiah, about 60 years after Isaiah’s death. Zephaniah and Habakkuk were contemporaries of his earlier ministry; Daniel of his later. After the death of Josiah, the kingdom of Judah hastened to its end in the Babylonian captivity. Jeremiah remained in the land ministering to the poor Remnant (2 Kings 24:14, “And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.”) until they went into Egypt, whither he followed them, and where he died, early in the 70 year’s captivity. Jeremiah, prophesying before and during the exile of Judah, connects the pre-exile prophets with Ezekiel and Daniel, prophets of the exile.

Jeremiah’s vision includes: the Babylonian captivity; the return after 70 years; the world-wide dispersion; the final regathering; the kingdom-age; the day of judgment on the Gentile powers, and the Remnant.” — Scofield.

Jeremiah Contains the Biography and Message of “The Weeping Prophet.”

Main Themes: The Backsliding, Bondage, and Restoration of the Jews.

The Life of Jeremiah:

1) Family, Jeremiah 1:1.

2) Birth and Divine choice as a Prophet, Jeremiah 1:5.

3) Youthful Call; —in the days of King Josiah, Jeremiah 1:2-6.

4) Divine Endowment, Jeremiah 1:9.

5) Commission, Jeremiah 1:10.

6) Promise of Divine Presence, Jeremiah 1:19.

7) Pressure of Duty upon, Jeremiah 20:9.

8) Sustained by the Word of God, Jeremiah 15:16.

9) Persecution of, predicted, Jeremiah 1:19.

a. Put in the Stocks, Jeremiah 20:2.

b. Put in a miry Dungeon, Jeremiah 38:6.

c. Carried into Egypt, Jeremiah 43:5-7.

A Brief Summary of the Book:

1) Call of the prophet, Jeremiah 1:1.

2) Rebukes, Warnings, and Promises to the Jews, Jeremiah 2:1-20:18.

3) A Denunciation of rulers, and also of False Shepherds and Prophets, Jeremiah 21:1-23:40.

4) Predictions of Divine Judgments, the Overthrow of Jerusalem, and the Seventy Years captivity, Jeremiah 25:1-29:32.

5) Promises of the Restoration of the Jews, Jeremiah 30:1-33:26.

6) Prophecies occasioned by the sins of Jehoiakim and Zedekiah, Jeremiah 34:1-39:18.

7) The wretched condition of the Remnant left in Judah, and Prophecies uttered to them, Jeremiah 40:1-44:30.

8) Consolation to Baruch, Jeremiah 45.

9) Prophecies concerning the Hostile Nations, Jeremiah 46:1–51:64.

The Message:

1) Some High Spots In:

a. The fountain and cistern Jeremiah 2:13.

b. The ineradicable stain of sin, Jeremiah 2:22.

c. The search for a man, Jeremiah 5:1.

d. The old ways, best, Jeremiah 6:16.

e. The lost opportunity, Jeremiah 8:20.

f. The tearful call to repentance, Jeremiah 9:1.

g. The depravity of the human heart, Jeremiah 17:9.

h. The clay and the potter, Jeremiah 18.

i. The false Shepherds, Jeremiah 23.

j. How to find God, Jeremiah 29:13.

k. The new covenant, Jeremiah 31:31-34.

l. The mutilation of God’s Word, Jeremiah 36:21-24.

2) Rejected

a. By his neighbors, Jeremiah 11:19-21.

b. By his own family, Jeremiah 12:6.

c. By the priests and prophets, Jeremiah 20:1-2.

d. By his friends, Jeremiah 20:10.

e. By all the people, Jeremiah 26:8.

f. By the King, Jeremiah 36:23.

THE BOOK OF ISAIAH–OUTLINE

Art Davison OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF ISAIAH 0 Comment
THE BOOK OF ISAIAH

OUTLINE OF THE BOOK

Introduction:

“This book is called, in the New Testament, sometimes “the Book of the Words of the Prophet Esaias,” Luke 3:4, sometimes only the “Prophet Esaias,” Acts 8:28, 30 and sometimes, as here, the “Book of the Prophet Esaias,” Luke 4:17.

It stands first of all the prophets; though the order of the prophets, according to the Jews, is, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, and the twelve. But it is here placed first, not because Isaiah prophesied before the other prophets; for Joel, Jonah, Hosea, and Amos, begun before him, namely, in or before the days of Jeroboam the Second; but because of the excellency of the matter contained in it.

It is that no one writes so fully and clearly of the person, offices, grace, and kingdom of Christ; of his incarnation and birth of a virgin; of his sufferings and death, and the glory that should follow, as he does. John, the forerunner of Christ, began his ministry with a passage out of him concerning himself, Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4; John 1:23.

Our Lord preached his first sermon at Nazareth out of this book, Luke 4:17-21 and it was in this the eunuch was reading when Philip came up to him, who from the same Scripture preached to him Christ, Acts 8:28-35. — John Gill’s Expositor.

The Prophet Isaiah, the son of Amoz, (not Amos,) was one of the most distinguished of the Hebrew prophets. He began to prophesy at Jerusalem towards the close of the reign of Uzziah, about the year 759 B. C., and exercised the prophetical office some sixty years, under the three following monarchs, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, Isaiah 1:1.

His Call and Anointing: Isaiah 6:1-8.

His Family: Isaiah 7:3; Isaiah 8:3-4.

Isaiah is generally regarded As the Greatest of the Old Testament Prophets:

1) Because he is preeminently the Prophet of Redemption.

2) Many of the passages in his book are among the finest in literature. Some modern scholars have studied this poetical prophecy as a botanist studies flowers, dissecting and analyzing them. By the use of this scientific method the beauty and unity of the book, like that of the rose, is almost forgotten as the different parts are pulled to pieces for examination.

A Brief Summary of the Book:

Section 1: Refers chiefly to events leading up to the Captivity, Isaiah 1:1–39:8.

1) Exhortations and warnings of Divine Judgments mingled with predictions of better days and the coming of the Messiah, Isaiah 1:1-12:6.

2) Prophecies respecting surrounding nations, -Assyria, Babylonia, Moab, Egypt, Philistia, Syria, Edom, and Tyre, etc., Isaiah 13:1–23:18.

3) Writings concerning the sins and misery of the people, promises of salvation, a song of Confidence in God, and his care over his vineyard, Isaiah 24:1-27:13.

4) Chiefly woes pronounced upon Ephraim (name often used for the northern kingdom of Israel, Isaiah 11:13; Jeremiah 31:6; 50:19.) and Jerusalem (southern Kingdom of Judah and Benjamin), especially for trusting in foreign alliances, Isaiah 28:1-31:9.

5) Promises of a Righteous King, and the outpouring of the Spirit, the exaltation of the Righteous, and the turning of the wilderness into a Garden of the Lord, Isaiah 32:1-35:10.

6) Hezekiah’s deliverance from the Assyrians, and the lengthening of his life, Isaiah 36:1-39:8.

Section 2:

The second part of the book contains Predictions, Warnings, and Promises which refer to events beyond the Captivity, and reach on down the centuries through the Christian Dispensation. This portion of the prophecy is especially rich in Messianic references.

Key Word: “Salvation.” “Isaiah” means, “Salvation of Jehovah.”

Salvation:

1) Wells of, Isaiah 12:3.

2) Joy of, Isaiah 25:9.

3) Walls of, Isaiah 26:1.

4) Everlasting, Isaiah 45:17.

5) Day of, Isaiah 49:8.

6) Feet of the heralds of, Isaiah 52:7.

7) Spread of, Isaiah 52:10.

8) Arm of, Isaiah 59:16.

9) Helmet of, Isaiah 59:17.

10) Garments of, Isaiah 61:10.

11) Light of, Isaiah 62:1.

Seven Everlasting things Mentioned:

1) Strength, Isaiah 26:4.

2) Judgments, Isaiah 33:14.

3) Joy, Isaiah 35:10.

4) Salvation, Isaiah 45:17.

5) Kindness, Isaiah 54:8.

6) Covenant, Isaiah 55:3.

7) Light, Isaiah 60:19.




THE BOOK OF EZEKIEL–OUTLINE

Art Davison OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF EZEKIEL 0 Comment
THE BOOK OF EZEKIEL
OUTLINE OF THE BOOK
Introduction:

“Ezekiel was carried away to Babylon between the first and final deportation of Judah (2 Kings 24:11-16). Like Daniel and the Apostle John, he prophesied out of the land, and his prophecy, like theirs, follows the method of symbol and vision. Unlike the pre-exilic prophets, whose ministry was primarily to either Judah or the ten-tribe kingdom, Ezekiel is the voice of Jehovah to “the whole house of Israel.”

Speaking broadly, the Purpose of his ministry is to keep before the generation born in exile the national sins which had brought Israel so low (e.g. Ezekiel 14:23);

? To sustain the faith of the exiles by predictions of national restoration,

? Of the execution of justice upon their oppressors,

? And of national glory under the Davidic monarchy.

Ezekiel is in seven great prophetic strains indicated by the expression, “The hand of the Lord was upon me.” Ezekiel 1:3; 3:14, 22; 8:1; 33:22; 37:1; 40:1.” —Scofield.

This prophet was a priest, Ezekiel 1:3, The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.

“The visions he saw are very abstruse and difficult of interpretation, especially the vision of the living creatures and wheels. This book, in general, contains various visions the prophet saw; several threatenings against the people of the Jews; and prophecies against other nations; and an abundance of comfortable promises of the Messiah, and of blessings of grace by him; and of the state and condition of the Gospel church, and the worship of it.” — John Gill’s Expositor.

A Brief Summary of the Book:

I. The preparation and Call of the Prophet, Ezekiel 1:1-3:27.

1) A priest, Ezekiel 1:3.

2) Carried away captive to Babylon, Ezekiel 1:1; 2 Kings 24:11-16.

3) His vision of God, Ezekiel 1.

4) His Call, Ezekiel 1:3.

5) His Commission and Endowment, Ezekiel 2:1–3:27.

6) Spiritual Food, the roll of the Word of God, Ezekiel 3:1-3; cf. Revelation 10:10. The common form of ancient books.

7) His Task, a Spiritual Watchman, Ezekiel 3:4-11, 17-21.

8) Ezekiel claims the highest degree of Inspiration. The words “Thus saith Jehovah” are reiterated over and over again throughout the entire book.

Key Note: “I am Jehovah.”

II. A portrayal of the apostate condition of Judah before the captivity.

1) Largely visions, warnings and predictions concerning the guilt of the people and the coming destruction of Jerusalem, Ezekiel 4:1–24:27.

2) Divine judgments upon the Seven Surrounding Nations, Ezekiel 25:1–32:32.

III. Chiefly Predictions and Promises concerning the means by which the glory of the nations is to be restored, Ezekiel 33:1–48:35.

1) By Heeding the Warnings of the Spiritual Watchmen, and repenting of Sin, Ezekiel 33.

2) By displacing the False Shepherds, and the coming of the Good Shepherd, who will feed the flock, Ezekiel 34.

3) By a National Revival, and a Spiritual Resurrection in the Valley of Dry Bones, Ezekiel 36:1–37:28.

4) By the Overthrow of the Enemies of the Nation, Ezekiel 38:1–39:29.

5) By the Building of a New Sanctuary, Ezekiel 40:1–42:20.

6) By the returning of the Glory of the Lord, Ezekiel 43:4-5; 44:4.

7) By the Ministry of a Loyal Priesthood, Ezekiel 44:9-31.

8) By Life-giving Waters issuing from the Sanctuary, Ezekiel 47; cf. Revelation 22:1-2, And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

IV. Outstanding Events in the book

1) The Departure of the Glory of the Lord from the Temple, Ezekiel 10:16-18; 11:23.

2) The Fall of Jerusalem, Ezekiel 33:21.

3) The Return of the Shekinah Prophesied, Ezekiel 44:4.

Choice Selections:

1) The New Heart, Ezekiel 11:19, “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:” Ezekiel 36:25-28.

2) Personal Responsibility, Ezekiel 18:20-32.

3) Untempered Mortar, Ezekiel 13:10-15.

4) The Search for a Man of Integrity, Ezekiel 22:30, “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” Compare Jeremiah 5:1, Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it

5) Sentimental Hearers, Ezekiel 33:30-32.

6) Chapters for Ministers:

a. Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, Ezekiel 13;

b. Warn the people, Ezekiel 33;

c. Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ezekiel 34.

7) Revival Chapter, Ezekiel 37.

NOTE: This chapter contains a prophecy of the Jews’ return from captivity to their own land; of the union of the each tribes with one another; and of the glorious kingdom of Christ among them. Their restoration is represented by a vision of dry bones made alive; the place in which they were; the condition they were in; and the manner in which they were made to live, are described, vv. 1-10.

THE PREACHING PROPHET–JONAH 3:1-10

Art Davison THE BOOK OF JONAH 0 Comment
THE PREACHING PROPHET
Jonah 3:1-10

by Dean Robinson
Introduction:

In chapter 1 we learned the lesson of God’s patience with Jonah running away from God in disobedience to go and preach to the Ninevites. In chapter 2 we learned the lesson of God’s pardon with Jonah running to God in prayer as he sincerely repents of his rebellion against God’s command. In chapter 3 we learn of God’s power with Jonah running with God as he promptly obeys by proclaiming God’s message to the people of Nineveh. While in chapter 2 God demonstrated His sovereign power in rescuing Jonah, in chapter 3 God now displays His sovereign grace, in not only giving Jonah another opportunity to obey, but also in sparing the Ninevites judgment because of their repentance.

I. THE COMMISSIONED MISSIONARY vs.1-4

A. Repetition of the Command, vs. 1-2.

1. Now that Jonah is safely back on land, repentant of his sin and restored to God’s favor, the Lord repeats His command to go and preach to Nineveh. The fact that Jonah was recommissioned a “second time,” v.1. is a demonstration of God’s marvelous grace, forgiveness, and full restoration. Jonah did not deserve a second opportunity but thankfully we serve a God that is full of tender mercy – Lamentations 3:22-23, “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Our God is the God of a “second chance” as illustrated in the lives of such men as Abraham, Moses, David, Peter, John Mark, etc. Serving God is a privilege, not a right.

1. As God mercifully recommissions His messenger, Jonah is specifically told where to preach and what to preach, v. 2. Anyone sent by God to preach is under this edict. The message to be preached is God’s, not man’s. It was not left up to Jonah to determine what, when, and where to preach. A true man of God will always preach what God says to preach. The preacher’s primary task is not to build a following but to faithfully deliver God’s message.

B. Response to the Command. vs. 3-4

1. Jonah’s response to his renewed commission was prompt and precise, which gave evidence of his true repentance and determined dedication in serving the Lord, v. 3. True repentance replaces the rebellious attitude towards God’s commands with an attitude of humble submission to God. The first time God gave His orders, Jonah rose up to flee but this time he rose up to preach. There was no delay, no procrastination, no waiting for a more convenient time. Jonah immediately obeyed.

2. The standard by which we measure the validity of Jonah’s immediate response of obedience is: “according to the word of the LORD,” v.3. The true test of one’s dedication and devotion to God is determined by how closely and persistently one adheres to the Word of God.

3. The fact that Nineveh was “exceeding great” was in reference to its large land area. “Three day’s journey” meant it was about 60 miles in circumference. This city had walls surrounding it that were 100 ft. high and wide enough for 3 chariots to ride side by side.

4. Not only was Jonah’s response prompt and precise, but his preaching was plain and pointed as he declared the soon-coming judgment of God upon Nineveh, v. 4. Jonah’s message of judgment warned Nineveh that it would be “overthrown”– same strong word used for the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Note: the number 40 was often used in Scripture as a number of testing. Examples:

1) The flood-Genesis 7:17, “And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth.”

2) Moses in the mount-Exodus 24:18, “And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.”

3) Israel wandering in the wilderness-Numbers 14:33, “And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness.”

4) Temptation of Christ-Matthew 4:2, “And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.”

II. THE CONFESSING MULTITUDE vs. 5-9

C. Demonstration of Repentance. vs. 5-6.

1. As soon as the people of Nineveh heard Jonah’s bold and uncompromising message of warning and devastating judgment, the entire city, everyone without exception, turned to God in faith and gave evidence of genuine repentance of their sins, v.5. Fasting and sackcloth were outward signs of inward grief and mourning over one’s sins; Nineveh was made to realize the awfulness and shame of their sin and demonstrated it by their fasting and putting on of sackcloth. True repentance does not treat sin lightly; it acknowledges the wickedness of it and is filled with sorrow for having done it — 2 Corinthians 7:10, “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”

2. In his repentance and faith the king reacted exactly as the people did as he changed the location where he sat (from the throne to ashes) and the clothes which he wore (royal robe to sackcloth), v. 6. The people and the king so understood the warning that without any delay, they immediately and accordingly complied with the implication of Jonah’s message: repent or perish, Luke.13:3, 5, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

B. Decree of Repentance, vs.7-9.

1. After the king of Nineveh took action regarding his own personal repentance, he and his nobles issued a proclamation throughout the city for all citizens, along with their animals, to fast and be covered with sackcloth, vs.7-8a. The animals were included so that everything around the people would help keep their attention on repentance. Without food or water, the animals would be bellowing and bawling all day long which would continuously remind the people of the mourning of repentance and of the spiritual work at hand.

2. The king’s decree also called for the people to fervently pray unto God and to wholeheartedly turn from and forsake all of their evil ways of barbarianism, brutality, oppression, and vicious cruelties, v. 8b. Evidence of a genuine work of repentance and faith will be a complete change of one’s conduct and behavior, Matthew 3:8, “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:” 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

3. The king issued his decree of repentance in the hope that God would mercifully turn from His fierce and justified anger and spare them from divine judgment and destruction, v. 9. The king’s hope for God’s mercy rested upon the experiences of Jonah, Luke11:30 says Jonah was “a sign unto the Ninevites.” Jonah was a living example of mercy received through repentance.

b. The Ninevites could see in Jonah that God punishes sin but also spares the sinner on repentance.

c. Jonah was not only a sign of the judgment of God upon sin but was also a sign of the mercy and grace of God who delivers the guilty from divine judgment when they cry out to God in repentance and faith for salvation.

III. THE COMPASSIONATE MASTER v.10

A. Recognition by God, v.10a.

1. God saw the works of the Ninevites, how that they truly turned from their wickedness and sin. This is not teaching salvation by works but their fasting and forsaking of sin showed a real change within their hearts, giving proof of true repentance and faith toward God.

2. Faith without works is “dead,” James 2:17, 26, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

3. God sees and knows all things, John16:30, “Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.” See also John 21:17, 1 John 3:20.

4. God sees and knows all men, including their deeds and actions, the thoughts and intents of their hearts, 1 Kings 8:39, “Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)” See also Psalms 139:1-4, 23-24; Jeremiah 17:9-10; Ezekiel 11:5.

5. Everything we say, think, or do is known to God, Proverbs 5:21, “For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.”

B. Repentance of God, v.10b.

1. God changed His method of action against the Ninevites because of their sincere repentance and faith. The threatened doom in this instance was conditioned upon repentance; when that condition was met and fulfilled, God had no need to execute the warning.

2. When God institutes a change in His dealings with men, His course of conduct is referred to in the Scriptures as repentance. God seems to change His mind because He changes His method. God’s perfect and eternal character of immutability remains the same but His dealings with sinful men change as they change from ungodliness to godliness, from disobedience to obedience.

3. We know that the repentance of Nineveh was legitimate and for real in Jonah’s day, as stated by our Lord in Matthew12:41, “The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.”

CONCLUSION

What happened in Jonah 3 was undoubtedly one of the greatest evangelistic campaigns to ever be recorded in the Bible. It shows what the Lord can do with a frail human instrument, after being given a second opportunity that is willing to preach God’s message. After repentance and forgiveness, Jonah was given another chance to faithfully declare God’s Word without fear or favor of man. Thank the Lord we serve a God of a “second chance.”

This chapter also clearly reveals how that through “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21), one can escape the wrath and judgment of a holy and righteous God. Without repentance and faith, the lost sinner is doomed for eternity.

THE PRAYING PROPHET–JONAH 2:1-10

Art Davison THE BOOK OF JONAH 0 Comment
THE PRAYING PROPHET
JONAH 2:1-10

By Dean Robinson
Introduction:

In chapter 1 we saw God’s patience as He graciously dealt with His disobedient servant who vainly attempted to flee from God’s presence. Now in chapter 2 we see a penitent servant fleeing to God’s presence in humble prayer. After spending three days and nights in the fish’s belly, Jonah was made to realize that the best and safest place for him to be in was in the center of God’s perfect will. Submitting to the chastening of the Lord, Jonah confesses his only hope of deliverance is of the Lord. Jonah’s life was living proof of the slogan: “Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity.” From this chapter we can learn that anywhere at anytime God’s people can pray about anything.

I. PASSIONATE SUPPLICATION vs.1-2

A. Place of Jonah’s Praying, v. 1.

1. Jonah poured out his heart to God in prayer while in a fish’s belly, which certainly should teach us something about when and where we can pray. We can pray even thought the outward circumstances may be unfavorable and we must not excuse ourselves from prayer just because we do not have what we think is a suitable place to pray. It isn’t the place where we pray that matters as much as it is the prayer which we pray.

2. While no doubt this was one of the strangest prayer meetings ever held, we can learn from this that it is God’s will for His people to pray always, Luke 18:1, “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;” and everywhere, 1 Timothy 2:8, “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” We should note that Jonah prayed to the Lord “his God”– In spite of the fact that he had disobeyed and rebelled against the Lord, he knew that God had not abandoned him. Jehovah was still his God who could be called upon at anytime, anywhere in prayer.

B. Purpose of Jonah’s Praying. v. 2

1. Jonah lifted up his voice and cried out unto the Lord because of his affliction. Jonah recognized that he was being afflicted by God for his own sin of disobedience and rebellion, Psalm 119:67, “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.” It’s important to acknowledge and accept the chastening hand of God upon our life because of our sin; the worst thing a person can do is become bitter against God. Jonah did not despise God’s chastening but humbly submitted to it: Proverbs 3:11, “My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:”

2. In chastisement for our sin God sometimes allows His people to experience the deep waters of trouble and afflictions in order that they may cry out unto Him in earnest and fervent prayer, Psalm 18:4-6, “The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. 5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. 6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.” See also Psalms 69:1-2; 120:1; 130:1-2.

3. Notice that God was ready and willing to hear and answer Jonah’s cry for help out of the belly of “hell” (sheol)– also translated grave or pit; OT designation for the abode of the dead; place of departed spirits. Sometimes people have to hit rock bottom before they will ever look up – Psalm 28:1-2, “Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit. 2 Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.” See also Psalms 30:2-3; 86:13.

II. DIVINE INTERVENTION vs.3-6

A. Presence of God Revealed, vs. 3-4.

1. Believing God to be the source of his chastisement, Jonah attributes the hand of God in the storm and he being cast into the sea, v.3.

a. Jonah admits it was God (“thou hadst”), through the hands of the sailors that had thrown him overboard into the sea; he says it was God’s billows and waves that had swept over him.

b. Jonah knew all of this did not happen by accident or chance but was the result of a supreme and sovereign God who was in charge of all things and all events.

2. Sensing his desperate need for restoring fellowship with his God, he expresses a desire for God’s favor and blessing to once again be upon his life, v. 4. Looking toward the temple in reverent prayer was to look to God in faith, seeking His forgiveness and favor. The temple was where God’s divine presence was manifested. It was the place where sin was pardoned and the repentant sinner restored to God’s favor and blessing, based upon the blood of the sacrifices sprinkled upon the mercy seat, Psalm 86:5, “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.”

B. Preservation by God Realized, vs. 5-6.

1. In detailed fashion Jonah graphically describes the horror of his experience, after being thrown overboard and sinking into the depths of the sea, vs.5-6a.

2. After expressing the helplessness of his situation, Jonah acknowledges his sure hope of deliverance through God’s infinite power and mercy, v. 6b. Jonah knew that if God had not intervened on his behalf, he would still be lying at the bottom of the ocean. “corruption”– pit, destruction, grave, Psalm 40:1-2, “I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.”

a. God’s preservation of Jonah from his watery grave goes to prove that there is no depth from which God cannot lift us,

b. No sorrow of which He cannot comfort us,

c. No sin of which He cannot pardon and forgive.

III. STERN PROCLAMATION vs. 7-10

A. Remembrance of God Pronounced, vs. 7-8.

1. What seemed to be the turning point through all of Jonah’s troubling circumstances was when he called to mind the God whom he had disobeyed and forsaken and then turned to Him in prayer, v. 7.

a. Jonah’s remembrance of God kept him from total despair and led him to victorious praying, Psalm 42:6, “O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.” Psalm 143:4-6, “When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. 5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. 6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.”

b. There is grave danger in forgetting the Lord with all His blessings and commandments, Deuteronomy 8:11, “Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:” See also Psalm 103:2; 105:5; Proverbs 3:1; Isaiah 46:9

2. In reference to himself and as a warning to all others, Jonah declares there is great deceit into thinking you can forsake God and get by with it, v. 8. To follow after lying vanities this world has to offer will lead to a disastrous end; to forsake the only source of mercy is akin to committing spiritual suicide. The will of God is ever the way of safety, peace, and comfort; to neglect and disobey His will is to set yourself on a collision course for trouble and problems.

B. Gratitude to God Promised, v. 9.

1. Grateful for God’s goodness and mercy bestowed upon his life, Jonah promises the sacrifice of thanksgiving and the performance of his vows. The goodness and mercy of God are always incentives enough for praise and prayer, sacrifice and service: Psalm 50:14-15, “Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: 15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”See also Psalm 54:6-7; 107:21-22.

2. Jonah’s ultimate conclusion to this whole ordeal was: salvation is of the Lord. “Salvation” = deliverance, Psalm 3:8, ”Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.” Psalm 68:2, “As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.”

Jonah came to know as never before that deliverance, whether of the soul or the body, can come only from the Lord Himself. A person trying to run from God, his only hope of salvation is of the Lord; a person facing great trials and difficulties, his only hope of salvation is of the Lord; a person that is spiritually dead and lost in his sins, his only hope of salvation is of the Lord.

C. Deliverance from God Provided, v. 10.

1. Now that Jonah had been brought to the place of repentance and submission, God spoke to the fish and it vomited out Jonah on the dry land. The mighty Creator of all life and the sovereign God of all the universe controls and orders the movements of every living creature, from the tiniest molecule to the mightiest mammal. Jonah’s deliverance proved to be true, Psalm 72:12, “For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.”

2. It should be pointed out that while Jonah was disobedient and rebellious, this great fish was obedient and submissive to the commands of God. May it be our prayer to be willing to obey and yield to the will and Word of God in order that we might faithfully and acceptably serve the Lord and bring glory to His name.

Conclusion

In chapter 2 Jonah came to the stark realization of how foolish it was to be apart from the presence of the Lord. Out of sincere contrition and remorse, Jonah cries out to God with a prayer of thanksgiving and praise, acknowledging the mighty and miraculous workings of God upon his life. His prayer was heard in the highest heavens even though it was prayed from the lowest depths. Jonah’s prayer and faith should encourage us to never let go of God no matter what our situation may be. We may be so far down that we have to look up to see bottom but if Jonah could be delivered, then so can we if we will confess and turn from our sin and return to the path of complete obedience and dependence upon God. Jonah’s prayer gives warning to others to keep close to God. Jonah’s experience should encourage us to trust in God as the God of our salvation.

“But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.” (Psalms 37:39)

by Dean Robinson