S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Author: Jonah 1:1 specifically identifies the Prophet Jonah as the author of the Book of Jonah.Date of Writing: The Book of Jonah was likely written between 793 and 758 B.C.Purpose of Writing: Diso...

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November 15 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

John Appelt Supporter

The book of Jonah is one of the books written by the prophets. Jonah’s story is memorable with powerful messages on the need of repentance by all who sin and about the way God leads in His sovereignty. He prepared a great wind, a great fish, a weed, a worm, and a witness through Jonah.

In the book are a number of great things: city (of Nineveh), Jonah 1:2, 3:2, 4:11; wind, Jonah 1:4; storm, Jonah 1:4, 12; and fish, Jonah 1:17.

Another observation is the name of Jonah. It means “dove.” It gives meaning to the book just as the names of other writing prophets offer themes to their books. Interestingly, many of the uses of dove in the Bible illustrate Jonah in one way or another.

For example, Jonah was a “silly” dove without sense, Hosea 7:11, trying to avoid going to Nineveh. He decided to travel by ship going in the opposite direction toward Tarshish. Because of this, the Lord arranged for him to be thrown overboard and to be swallowed by a great fish, Jonah 1. 

He was a “seeking” dove, that desired to fly away and be at rest, Psalm 55:6. His prayer from the fish’s belly was his longing for deliverance. And the Lord caused the fish to vomit Jonah onto dry land, Jonah 2.

He was the “secure” dove, even though he had been disobedient. His rest or refuge was in the Lord, Jeremiah 48:28, Song of Solomon 2:14.

He was the “sent” dove as one sent on a mission, Genesis 8:11. Just as the Noah sent the dove out twice, the first time yielding nothing, so the Lord sent Jonah twice. Just as at the second time the dove had an olive leaf in her beak which signifies a message of peace, so Jonah went peacefully the second time to preach to Nineveh, Jonah 3. 

He was “Spirit-anointed.” As the Spirit of descended like a dove upon the Lord, Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10, Luke 3:22, John 1:32, so the Spirit was upon Jonah doing the will of God and preaching repentance. This led to one of the greatest revivals with Nineveh repenting of their sins and God sparing them judgment, Matthew 12:41, Luke 11:32.

Then Jonah was the “sorrowing” dove, Isaiah 38:14. Because of his bigotry, he was angry and mourning that God would show mercy to Nineveh, Jonah 4. 

He was the “shining” dove, Psalm 68:13. Christ presented Jonah as the sign the Jews were seeking, Matthew 16:4. Of all the possible miracles the Lord could have chosen, He selected the event in Jonah’s life that best prefigured His own soon-coming experience, Matthew 12:40. As Jonah was a captive in the sea creature for three days and three nights, so was Jesus a captive at the hands of men for three days and three nights, from His arrest until He arose from the dead.

The book is the story of Jonah who was in many ways like his name, a dove.

June 22 2023 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report