Jonah 1-4; Matthew 11
Jonah 1-4
The book of Jonah is a story of God's mercy toward Gentiles, the possibility of Gentile repentance, and the prophet's reluctance to save them.
God commands Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach about the impending judgment. Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian empire. The Assyrians had caused much suffering to Israel. Their repentance would mean the cancellation of God's judgment on this nation. Jonah didn't want this to happen so much that he initially tried to flee in the opposite direction. When God sent a terrible storm, Jonah was even willing to die in the sea rather than repent and submit to God. His repentance came only in the belly of the fish.
Often, God has to bring us to a point of extreme tension for us to repent.
On the other hand, the people of Nineveh repented in sackcloth and ashes as soon as they heard Jonah's message. People we least expect often accept the Good News much more readily than those who seem very close to it.
The final chapter reveals the real reason for Jonah's reluctance to preach. Our plans often do not align with God's plans, so a Christian's readiness to accept and submit to God's will is an essential quality. The Lord teaches Jonah this lesson.
Matthew 11
Like other disciples, it seems that John the Baptist expected the Messiah to restore the kingdom of David immediately. Therefore, although he was confident that Jesus was the Messiah and even pointed to Him as the Lamb who took away the world's sin at the beginning of Jesus' ministry, a year and a half later, while in Herod's prison, he began to doubt this. God often acts in ways and times that we do not anticipate. In response to John, Jesus points to the fulfillment of prophetic words about the Messiah in Him, again emphasizing God's word's authority.
The Good News of Salvation requires simple trust. This was the essence of God's plan: "At that time Jesus said, 'I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.'" (Matthew 11:25-26).
The chapter ends with the famous call of Christ. His ministry is directed to those who feel their need (those who labor and are heavy-laden). To find the rest that Christ offers, it is necessary to take His yoke upon ourselves (become a participant in His work, agree to go along with Him) and learn from Him: "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29).
The book of Jonah is a story of God's mercy toward Gentiles, the possibility of Gentile repentance, and the prophet's reluctance to save them.
God commands Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach about the impending judgment. Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian empire. The Assyrians had caused much suffering to Israel. Their repentance would mean the cancellation of God's judgment on this nation. Jonah didn't want this to happen so much that he initially tried to flee in the opposite direction. When God sent a terrible storm, Jonah was even willing to die in the sea rather than repent and submit to God. His repentance came only in the belly of the fish.
Often, God has to bring us to a point of extreme tension for us to repent.
On the other hand, the people of Nineveh repented in sackcloth and ashes as soon as they heard Jonah's message. People we least expect often accept the Good News much more readily than those who seem very close to it.
The final chapter reveals the real reason for Jonah's reluctance to preach. Our plans often do not align with God's plans, so a Christian's readiness to accept and submit to God's will is an essential quality. The Lord teaches Jonah this lesson.
Matthew 11
Like other disciples, it seems that John the Baptist expected the Messiah to restore the kingdom of David immediately. Therefore, although he was confident that Jesus was the Messiah and even pointed to Him as the Lamb who took away the world's sin at the beginning of Jesus' ministry, a year and a half later, while in Herod's prison, he began to doubt this. God often acts in ways and times that we do not anticipate. In response to John, Jesus points to the fulfillment of prophetic words about the Messiah in Him, again emphasizing God's word's authority.
The Good News of Salvation requires simple trust. This was the essence of God's plan: "At that time Jesus said, 'I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.'" (Matthew 11:25-26).
The chapter ends with the famous call of Christ. His ministry is directed to those who feel their need (those who labor and are heavy-laden). To find the rest that Christ offers, it is necessary to take His yoke upon ourselves (become a participant in His work, agree to go along with Him) and learn from Him: "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29).
Posted in Reading Bible Together