Jonah and Micah.
Jonah.
The Prophet. His name means "done," and he is the son of Amittai. His
home was Gath-hepher, a village of Zebulun, and he, therefore,
belonged to the ten tribes and not to Judah. He is first mentioned in
2 Kings 14:28, where he prophesied the success of Jeroboam II, in his
war with Syria, by which he would restore the territory that other
nations had wrested from Israel. He very likely prophesied at an early
date, though all attempts to determine the time of his prophecy or the
time and place of his death have failed.
The Prophecy. It differs from all the other prophecies in that it is a
narrative and more "the history of a prophecy than prophecy itself".
All the others are taken up chiefly with prophetic utterances, while
this book records the experiences and work of Jonah, but tells us
little of his utterances. The story of Jonah has been compared to
those of Elijah and Elisha (1 Kings 17-19, and 2 Kings 4-6).
Although full of the miraculous element, the evident purpose is to
teach great moral and spiritual lessons, and it is unfortunate that
its supernatural element has made this book the subject of infidel
attack. But the facts, though extraordinary, are in no way
contradictory or inconsistent. Indeed, Mr. Driver has well said that
"no doubt the outlines of the narrative are historical." Christ spoke
of Jonah and accredited it by likening his own death for three days to
Jonah's three days in the fish's belly.
It is the most "Christian" of all the Old Testament books, its
central truth being the universality of the divine plan of redemption.
Nowhere else in the Old Testament is such stress laid upon the love of
God as embracing in its scope the whole human race.
Analysis.
I. Jonah's First Call and Flight from Duty, Chs. 1-2.
1. The call, flight and punishment, 1:1-16.
2. The repentance and rescue, 1:17-2:10 (end).
II. Jonah's Second Call and Preaching at Nineveh, Ch. 3.
1. His second call. 1-2.
2. His preaching against Nineveh. 2-4.
3. Nineveh repents, 5-9.
4. Nineveh is spared, 10.
III. Jonah's Anger and God's Mercy, Ch. 4.
1. Jonah's anger, 1-4.
2. The lessons of the gourd. 5-11.
For Study and Discussion. (1) The different elements of character
noticeable in Jonah. (2) The dangers of disobedience, to self and to
others. (3) The possibilities of influence for the man commissioned of
God. Jonah's influence on the sailors and on Nineveh. (4) God's care
for heathen nations (4-11), and its bearing upon the Foreign Mission
enterprise. (5) The nature of true repentance and God's forgiveness.
(6) The prophet, or preacher-his call, his message and place of
service.
Micah.
The Prophet. His name means "who is the Lord?" and he was Moresheth. a
small town of Gath. He was a younger contemporary of Isaiah and
prophesied to both Israel and Judah during the time of Jotham, Ahaz
and Hezekiah, kings of Judah; and of Pekah and Hoshea, the last two
kings of Israel. He sympathized deeply with the common people, being
moved by the social wrongs of his time (Ch. 2-3), and became the
people's advocate and defender as well as their accuser. He clearly
sets forth the wickedness of Judah and Israel, their punishment, their
restoration and the coming Christ. As compared with Isaiah, he was a
simple countryman, born of obscure parentage and recognized as one of
the peasant classes, while Isaiah was a city prophet of high social
standing and a counselor of kings.
The Great Truths of the Prophecy Are: (1) The destruction of Israel
(1:6-7) (2) The desolation of Jerusalem and the temple (3:12 and
7:13). (3) The carrying off of the Jews to Babylon (4:10). (4) The
return from captivity with peace and prosperity and with spiritual
blessing (4:1-8 and 7:11-17). (5) The ruler in Zion (Messiah) (4:8).
(6) Where and when he should be born (5:2). This is his great prophecy
and is accepted as final in the announcement to Herod.
I. The Impending Calamity, Ch. 1.
II. The Sins That Have Brought on This Calamity. Chs. 2-3.
1. In their wickedness they refuse to hear the prophets and are led
into captivity, 2:1-11.
2. The promised restoration, 2:12-13.
3. The sins of the rich and of those in authority. Ch. 3.
III. The Promised Restoration and Glory, Chs. 4-5.
1. The promised restoration of the city Zion, 4:1-5.
2. The restoration and glory of Israel, 4:6-13 (end).
3. The mighty messianic king to be given, Ch. 5.
IV. God's Controversy With Israel. Chs. 6-7.
1. God's charge and threat against them, Ch. 6.
2. In lamentation and patience the righteous must wait for a better
time, 7:1-13.
3. God will have mercy and restore, 7:14-20.
For Study and discussion. (1) The several accusations and threatenings
against Israel and Judah. (2) The different things mentioned to
describe the coming prosperity of Israel and of the Messianic period.
(3) The false authority of civil rulers, of moral leaders, of
spiritual teachers.
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