Three lessons I learned from the book of Jonah

What can the book of Jonah teach us about God’s mercy, our resistance to obedience, and the transforming power of repentance?

In this episode, Nathan Johnson shares three key lessons and fresh insights drawn from his in-depth study of Jonah. Discover how this little (and funny) Old Testament book reveals the humor of God, the stunning depth of God’s mercy toward both rebels and the religious, and how it confronts us to live like Jesus.

Bonuses

• Listen to the series on hesed (God’s lovingkindness)
• Watch the 8-part study in Jonah

Listen to + Download the Audio Study

Three Lessons I learned from the book of Jonah

One of the beauties of Scripture is that as you study, things you already knew become more profound and deepen in your understanding. I recently finished an in-depth study of the book of Jonah and want to share three key insights I discovered.

1. God has a sense of humor

A lot of times we see God as very somber and serious (especially in the Old Testament), and yet I cannot help but conclude that God has a sense of humor.

Not only does Scripture have many funny moments, but Psalm 2 tells us that God laughs at all His enemies’ attempts to stand against Him. In the New Testament, we see Jesus (God in the flesh) with a sense of humor.

As you come into the book of Jonah, the literary style is written in satire and irony—it is a purposefully funny book. For example, everything appears to be backwards. Everything (city, fish, anger, sin, storm) is called “great.” So while historical and it actually happened, the book of Jonah was written to illicit a laugh (while it pierces you in the heart with conviction).

2. God’s hesed (lovingkindness) is so much greater and beautiful than I ever realized

I love the biblical concept of hesed (lovingkindness/mercy) throughout Scripture. It is one of God’s primary attributes (it has a double emphasis in Exodus 34) … and finds its fulfillment and climactic expression in Jesus at the cross.

The declaration all throughout Scripture is that God’s hesed (lovingkindness) endures (lasts) forever. It never ceases.

This is important, especially in the book of Jonah, where hesed is the primary focus and theme of the book. It is the reason why Jonah doesn’t want to preach a message of repentance in Nineveh, and what makes him angry when God doesn’t destroy the city.

The profundity of hesed in Jonah is that the Assyrians (the capital city was Nineveh) are considered to be the most wicked nation in human history. Yet if God was willing to show hesed to the most evil people who ever lived, there is great hope for me … and the people I know. Which means there is great hope also for you. God is always willing to show hesed and mercy, for as James reminds us, His mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13). Don’t mishear me … God WILL judge, but He is patient in order for us to repent from our sins so that we won’t have to experience His judgment. This, too, is a demonstrated of His hesed.

God’s hesed continually deepens and becomes greater and more beautiful to me the more I meditate upon and study it. If you want to learn more about this incredible attribute of God, check out my eight-part series on God’s hesed.

3. Jonah or Jesus?

A third fresh insight I got from the book of Jonah was the question: am I more like Jonah or Jesus?

The book purposefully confronts our lives, our prejudices, our preferences, and our sins.

Though I may call myself a Christian, do I actually live like Christ Jesus? I may say I have a heart for the lost, but do I actually evangelize?

Jonah has the appearance of a godly prophet, but his actions betray him. What about me?

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 12:41 that someone greater than Jonah has come—and what Jonah ultimately points us toward is the solution we need for our lives. We desperately need Jesus to live the Christian life.

Study the book of Jonah with me

The book of Jonah is a fantastic (and fun) study in the life of a prophet that needs God’s mercy (lovingkindness) just as much as the pagans do. And, most importantly, the book points us toward THE great prophet (Jesus) who runs toward the lost rather than running away from them.

Consider joining me in an eight-part study of this incredible book.

FOOTNOTES

Photo Credit: Kevin Carden

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