A Type of Christ, Part 3: Jonah
Jonah and the Whale
onah’s story begins in Jonah 1 - 4. There once lived a Hebrew prophet named Jonah. He lived several hundred years before Jesus Christ was born. As such, this is a historical event with an important message that was well known among people of Israel.
Disobedient
God gave him a command to go to Nineveh, a pagan city and the capitol of Assyria to proclaim a message of repentance. Jonah disliked the Ninevites because they were his enemies and, because of that, he did not like the idea of God saving them. With this in mind, he decided to abandon the mission and flee. Jonah decided to go the opposite way, paid for his trip, and boarded a ship heading further away in a desperate attempt to flee from God.
On Board
At sea, a huge storm looked like it was goin to destroy the ship. The sailors made every attempt to keep the ship in control to the point where they prayed to their different gods seeking help. They were completely astonished to find Jonah fast asleep below.
The Storm
The sailors asked Jonah if he could at least pray to his God in the hopes they might get saved. Jonah confirmed that his God is actually the creator of the land and the sea. After finding out that Jonah is responsible, they asked him what they should do. Jonah told them the only way to calm the raging storm was to throw him into the sea. The sailors thought that idea was way out of line and tried to control the ship to safety. When they realized their effort made things worse, they prayed to Jonah’s God instead of begging for mercy and forgiveness for throwing Jonah into the sea.
In the Belly
As soon as Jonah was thrown into the sea, he was swallowed up by a whale. Inside the belly of the whale, he prayed to God, gave thanks and asked for mercy. After three days, the whale barfed Jonah onto dry land.
Proclamation
God told Jonah once again to go to Nineveh to complete the mission. Finally, Jonah obeyed God and went to proclaim the message:
Interestingly, the people of Nineveh, including their king, turned away from their gods and sinful ways and began worshiping God. It was amazing; the people completely repented and even fasted. But, we know God is love, merciful and kind; He changed his mind and saved the people of Nineveh.
Jonah was not happy with God’s decision. He still wanted to see total destruction, carnage, annihilation of the city of Nineveh forgetting that he, himself just got forgiven for being disobedient. However, God used an allegory to show Jonah that His love for all people, is of great importance as well.
Jonah
1) Prophet of God
God talks to him
2) Commissioned
– the mandate is clear: to preach a message of judgment
3) Disobedient
– No interest whatsoever
- Goes the other direction
- Goes down
- Pays a price for his fare
4) Selfish
Jonah did not want to help anyone (his enemies).
5) Takes a boat
Takes a boat to go way out of town.
6) Powerful storm
A very powerful unnatural storm.
7) Deep Sleep Below Deck
During the storm, Jonah fell asleep. The storm did not wake him up, it's the sailors that did.
8) Woken Up
He is woken up and sailors are puzzled about how anyone could possibly sleep.
9) Not Sure
Sailors were not sure who was responsible for the calamity.
10) Interrogation
After they found out – they interrogated Jonah
11) Believed and Repented
The sailors cried and begged for mercy from God and even made a sacrifice for throwing Jonah away
12) Thrown Overboard
Jonah was thrown overboard
13) 3 Days & Nights
Jonah was in the fish for 3 days and 3 nights
Jonah prays saying "But you, Lord my God, brought my life up from the pit." (Just like Joseph)
14) Redeemed and Obedient
After being forgiven, Jonah is vomited onto dry land. – dry land should have felt really safe for Jonah right?
Now obedient, he went on to proclaim in Nineveh which was a very large city. A large city means lots of people.
15) Still Unhappy
Angry that God forgave sinners who repented
Jesus
01) Also a Prophet
The Greatest Prophet (Deut 18:15), talks to God
02) Sent by God
“For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me,” (John 12:49)
03) Obedient
Jesus came to fulfill the promise made in the Old Testament. He obeyed God and completed the mission he was given.
04) Loving and Forgiving
Loving and Forgiving – love and willing to forgive his enemies
05) Takes a Boat
Jesus takes a boat in the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:35-41)
06) A Sudden Storm
A Sudden Furious Storm
07) Sleeping
Jesus was fast asleep in the stern. Not even a violent storm could wake him up. (Mark 4:35-41)
08) Woke
Woken up by his disciples, they say "don’t you care?" It's his sheep that call out (Mark 4:35-41).
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them. (John 10:27-28).
Notice....it's his disciples, not the raging storm (troubles of this world) that woke him up.
09) Seeking Help
The disciples knew exactly where to go to for help but lacked something - faith (Mark 4:40).
10) Questions
Jesus questions his disciples about faith
11) Commands
Jesus commands the storm: "Be Quiet"
12) Crucified
Jesus was sentenced to death.
Take a look at this contrast..
The sailors were not happy throwing Jonah over, but the Jewish leaders were indeed pleased to crucify Jesus.
13) 3 Days & Nights
"For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." Matthew 12:40
"You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead." Acts 3:15
14) Ressurects
Resurrects, back onto planet earth
Jesus appears to his family, over 500 witnesses, apostles and disciples (1 Corinthians 15:6)
15) Love & Forgiveness
After his resurrection, Jesus preached a message of forgiveness. If you forgive the sins of anyone, they stand forgiven (John 20:23)
Key Takeaways
ineveh is modern day Iraq. Built by Nimrod and considered as a pagan capital. As such Jonah, had so much animosity and hate against the people of Nineveh. He did not even want them to be saved by God. Even when the people of Nineveh repented, Jonah was still angry of God. He forgot that God forgave him as well.
The direct opposite of Jonah’s character is Jesus. Jesus is interested in saving sinners, pagans, gentiles, and everyone else.
“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them (luke 6:32)
Jesus’ crucial message of forgiveness is central throughout his teachings. Jesus’ commandment to “love one another” was his last instruction to his disciples after the Last Supper.
God can use anyone (a rebel) and any situation (a storm) to get his message across. I hope you enjoyed exploring foreshadowing of our Lord Jesus Christ. I look forward to your comments below, look out for Part 4: Moses.
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