Weekly Lesson for July 7, 2013

Guest speaker: Dr. Matthew McKellar
Associate Professor of Preaching/Chair of the Preaching Department
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

Bible Study 07/07/13 Jonah 1:1-3 “Great Fish-Greater God!”

Introduction
-the common response when hearing the word “Jonah”
-“Men have been looking so hard at the great fish that they have failed to see the great God.” Morgan
-4 chapters, 48 verses, 3 verses fish, 45 verses God
-1308 words indicate that the providence of God is not a theological abstraction

I. Examine the historical reality
-the word “happened” to Jonah-personal call
-2 Kings 14:25 and Gath-Heper-near Nazareth
-allegory, parable or historical?
-The “sign” of Jonah in Matt. 12:38-41

II. Analyze the specific assignment
-arise, go, cry
-unusual-on foreign turf
-Nineveh-the cruel enemy- Nahum 3:1-4
-stench in the nostrils of God

III. Observe the futile defiance
-“…rose up to flee the faces…”
-attempt to escape the omnipresent
-the reason for it: misplaced allegiance

IV. Affirm the greatness and freedom of God
-count on God to prevail
-don’t begrudge the mercy of God
-commit to the commission

So What?
-in light of God’s greatness and compassion, mobilize to extend the message of His mercy
-“And Jonah stalked to his shaded seat and waited for God to come around to his way of
thinking. And God is still waiting for a hosts of Jonahs in their comfortable houses to come
around to His way of loving.” Carlisle