I am currently writing commentary on the book of jonah. Ironically, jonah the israelite begrudges gods abundant grace, while gentiles are converted to saving faith through the power of the preached word. Rather, it is something like a theological short story. Every chapter stepped through each verse of the book and provided a clear presentation of various view points throughout history as well as the authors own. And one of the synagogue readings for yom kippur is the book of jonah in hebrew, sefer yonah. The book of jonah is narrative history and a prophetic oracle. The book of jonah is more than just a delightful story for children. But the book of jonah is not meant to be a historical account. Aug 10, 2010 and one of the synagogue readings for yom kippur is the book of jonah in hebrew, sefer yonah. The name jonah means dove in hebrew, but jonahs character is anything but dovelike. As far as a believer copies those who observe lying vanities, he forsakes his own mercy, and lives below his privileges. Ironically, jonah the israelite begrudges god s abundant grace, while gentiles are converted to saving faith through the power of the preached word.
The word of the lord came to jonah and jonah refused. Jonah slept in a place where he hoped no one would see him or disturb him. But who then wrote the book and where do those intimate details of the story come from. But jonah s experience encourages others, in all ages, to trust in god, as the god of salvation. David guzik commentary on jonah 1, where jonah receives a call from god, but decides to run from him, which god prevents by sending a storm. Jonah goldberg holds the asness chair in applied liberty at the american enterprise institute. Although the book is written in the third person, the traditional view is that jonah is the author of the book, and there is no persuasive reason to theorize about an unknown author. First, we should note that this marvelous narrative has suffered. His making use of us is an evidence of his being at. Sleeping christians like to hide out among the church jonah slept in a place where he could not help with the work that needed to be done.
The book of jonah is about divine mercy, divine justice, and gods freedom to offer each to whomever he chooseswhether israels oppressive enemy, a rebellious prophet, or gods elect people. There are allusions, in his prayer, to the great messianic psalms 22, 69 and 16. The purpose of this book is to show that god is a merciful and gracious god. This makes jonah one of the few prophets who hailed from the northern kingdom of israel. Jonah is commanded to go east to nineveh but flees toward the westernmost possible point, only to be swallowed by a great fish and dumped back at this starting point 2. All of nature obeys god in this book but a prophet of god does not. Set in the reign of jeroboam ii 786746 bc, it was probably written in the postexilic period, some time between the late 5th to early 4th century bc. The book of jonah is a book of the neviim prophets in the hebrew bible. His making use of us is an evidence of his being at peace with us. I will argue in the commentary that follows that the mission of god is the central theme.
Top 5 commentaries on the book of jonah ligonier ministries. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them. It tells the story of god commanding the prophet jonah to preach in nineveh, but jonah. But jonahs experience encourages others, in all ages, to trust in god, as the god of salvation. F2 but, of course, such criticisms are apparently founded in ignorance of the truth that, this is a common formulary linking together revelations and histories. Like jonah, we are sometimes called to stand up for, or even preach, the gospel in uncomfortable circumstances.
The book of jonah, written primarily in the third person, does not explicitly name the prophet as the author of his own account, but we have no reason to doubt either the inspiration or the historical veracity of the book. The book depicts the larger scope of gods purpose for israel. During jonahs years as a prophet, israel stood tall. Jonah reminds christians of the extent to which god goes in pursuing us in our rebellion and in. T he book of jonah is an old testament story which tells about how the prophet jonah refused to follow the lord.
The discovery of him, and his disobedience, to be the cause of the storm v. Limburg begins his commentary with a fresh translation of the biblical book of jonah and continues with a. Determining date and authorship of jonah remains problematic, as explicit references do not exist within the narrative. Jonah free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible. David guzik study guide for jonah 1 a new version of this page can be found here jonah runs from god. Like jonah, we need to respond to gods mercy in grateful obedience. Top 5 commentaries on the book of jonah by keith mathison. Jonah 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. The prophet jonah a dove is already mentioned in 2 kings 14. We read nowhere in the book that jonah confessed his sin and received a new heart.
While jonah eventually did what he was asked to do, the book closes with showing jonah as a bitter man. Nov 11, 2012 but god is not finished with jonah, as 1. Many critics however want to lower the book of jonah to an allegory, a parable or a legend because of the miracles described in it especially the appearing of the great fish devouring jonah. We left jonah in the belly of the fish, and had reason to think we should hear no more of him, that if he were not destroyed by the waters of the sea he would be consumed in the bowels of that leviathan, out of whose mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire, and whose breath kindles coals, job. Sleeping christians stay away from the work of the lord jonah slept while there was a prayer meeting up on the deck. Jonah 1 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the church of christ, presents a verse level look at the bible. He quotes his father in his commentary to the book of jonah. This commentary has been through advanced theological checking. He examines jonahs inner process, telling us what jonah must have. In recent years, jonah has seen an explosion of critical and favorable attention. Obadiah, jonah, micah tyndale old testament commentary by t. Jonah 1 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on the.
Best commentaries and books on jonah logos bible software. The whole commentary was very insightful with its picture of what god is saying in the book of jonah. The book of jonah is the most beautiful story ever written in so small a compass, only 28 english words. The style of the book of jonah is distinctive among the prophetic books. Jonah with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. The book of jonah, therefore, is a statement made through the wonderful medium of the story of jonah of gods compassion even of a pagan people like the ninevites who were enemies of the jews. There are a number of helpful commentaries on jonah, and the following are five of the best. So if you are interested in studying jonah, bookmark this page, and check back soon. Commentary on the book of jonah relevant bible teaching. Simpson this book of jonah is the first sample and earnest done in a deeply sincere way in the old testament of gods purpose, in the fullness of time, to offer to the gentiles also, as well as to the jews, repentance unto life. An easyenglish 2800 word vocabulary commentary on the book of jonah. One could describe kimchis commentary as psychological. The prophetic significance of this book not only lies in the short message in nineveh but also in the entire history of jonah described in his book. Jonah is the only narrative included in the books of the minor prophets.
As early as the 1st century christian theologians have been prominently discussing. Nov 21, 2012 more than that, the mission of god is not just a theme in the book of jonah. But the lord sent out a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty. When we left jonah at the end of chapter one it is fair to say he was in a slightly sticky situation. Gods ministry to jonah chapter 4 the bible exposition commentary, cook communications, colorado springs, 2002, p. You can find the best commentary on jonah for you using the tools on the right side. The book is replete with irony, wherein much of its humor lies. The book of jonah was likely written between 793 and 758 b. As the grace commentary on jonah is written, posts will be added to the chapters below. Aside from portions of the book of jeremiah and daniel, all of the other prophetic books focus primarily on the message of the prophet. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of jonah in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork. Minor prophets study guide questionslessons learned. Jonah was the son of amittai, of gathhepher in zebulun called gittahhepher in jos 19. Jonah is commanded to go east to nineveh but flees toward the westernmost possible point 1.
But god brings his people through fire, and through water. Jonah chapter 2 coffmans commentary of the new testament. The book of jonah, written primarily in the third person, does not explicitly name the prophet as the author of his own account, but we have no reason to doubt. He was the son of amittai and was of gathhepher in galilee north of nazareth. Jonah 1 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on. The commentary clearly expounds the book s message in harmony with the rest of the scriptures. He quotes short fragments from various psalms, and adapts them to meet his own case. Book of jonah has created wide gaps, even among likeminded theologians. This did not mean, however, that jonah remained the same.
Most striking of all is the application of psalm 16. A free bible commentary on the book of jonah in simple english. The book of jonah demonstrates the sovereignty of the almighty as he employs his creation to accomplish the divine plan. This book of jonah, though it be placed here in the midst of the prophetical books of scripture, is yet rather a history than a prophecy. David kimchi was an important scholar of hebrew grammar and wrote michlol, an early comprehensive study of it. But we will see that gods mission is not primarily directed toward nineveh as often taught, but in a different direction altogether. Verse 1 now the word of jehovah came unto jonah the son of amittai, saying, now enemies of this book do not hesitate to take the ax to the very first word in it, affirming that, jonah is a fragment, the continuation of a larger work. James limburg examines this wellknown book, keeping several. Jonah was a close student of the holy scriptures, especially of the psalms, as indicated by his use of much terminology found also in them. Jonah 2 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole.
As the sections are completed, this is where they will get posted. Jonah chapter 1 coffmans commentary of the new testament. It is the custom in some communities to ask a stranger to offer a commentarycalled a dvar torah. Best jonah commentaries updated for 2020 best bible. The pursuit and arrest of him for that disobedience by a storm, in which he was asleep v. Consequently, scholars must consider linguistic and historical factors to approximate such information. Book of jonah overview insight for living ministries.
Study guide for jonah 1 by david guzik blue letter bible. He was gods instrument to carry out gods will on earth. Jonahs reluctance to bring that message mirrors the israelites equally stubborn disinterest in the relation of the assyrians to god. Through some supernatural events, god convinced him to obey and carry out the lords plan. All ten verses of this brief chapter relate almost entirely to the prayer uttered by jonah from inside the fish.
It tells of a hebrew prophet named jonah son of amittai who is sent by god to prophesy the destruction of nineveh but tries to escape the divine mission. Key personalities include jonah, the captain and the ships crew and the people of nineveh. The lord had given a specific great fish a new task swallow jonah. The information presented covered context, dating, purpose, and interpretation of jonah. Commentary on the book of jonah jonah 1 1the word of the lord came to jonah the son of amittai saying, 2arise, go to nineveh the great city and cry against it, for their wickedness has come up before me.