Comments for December 1

9 v.13 - Continuing from yesterday's comment - this loss of life and indeed this act of public vengeance by the hanging of Haman's ten sons on the gallows - does not seem to be condemned by God. It is right that those who act against His people should be removed and that this removal should be public and witnessed.

We have said that this is the end of the battle to deal with Agag who Saul did not kill.

Saul had been told not to take any spoil, but he did 1 Samuel 15:3, 19 On this occasion Israel were told that they could take the spoil Est 8:11. But even though they had been given permission they did not Esther 9:10. As if to show that they were finishing the work that Yahweh had given to Saul to do.

9 v.15,16 - In both these verses we are told specifically that they did not take of the prey of the battle. On some occasions the spoils of war have been a notable feature of their battle, but in this case they were not touched.

To this very day the Jews keep the feast of Purim and celebrate the deliverance from Haman's wicked devices. It parallels with the deliverance from Egypt in that the nation were delivered from one who wanted to wipe them out from being a nation. In a similar way Hitler tried to annihilate the Jews - and failed. Whilst these might seem to be natural deliverances we should, on thinking of them, truly appreciate that God will not cast off His people and will not break His covenant with the seed of Abraham.

9:17-18 The way that the Jews 'rested' presents the end of the battle with Amalek which was the background of Haman (see Ch 3) - See Deuteronomy 25:17-19

10:1 Do we conclude that the 'tribute' was a direct response to Haman's behaviour and if so how did it benefit the Jews?

Est her 9:1,12-15. We see in these two declarations of Ahasuerus the necessity of Christ. The first decree cursed the Jews and provided no hope of life, it made evident the need of a Saviour. The second did not set the first aside, but delivered them from its curse, thus nullifying it.
Redemption in Christ--- the Law of Moses, seems to be thus foreshadowed.

Esther 9:22. Even though the prophet Zechariah does not mention the feast of Purim, he certainly eludes to the day when the fasts will be turned into days of feasts (Zech 8:19-23) The day when many strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.

9:3 "lieutenants" <0323> is a word unique to this time found only here and Ezra 8:36, Est 3:12, 8:9 and here. It is of Persian origin and speaks of the rulers of each of the provinces.

10:3 In promoting Mordecai to "next unto the king" he is like Joseph (Gen 41:40) Both men saved their people from destruction. Joseph by actions after he had been exalted, Mordecai by actions before he had been exalted - but consequent upon his faithful advising of the king of a plot against his life (Est 2:21)

The celebration called Purim is not mentioned by name in the New Testament, but we know from Zech 7:3-7 that extra fasts had been introduced to the Jewish calendar in Babylon. I presume then that Purim likewise was added to the calendar.
 

10:3 - we read Mordecai was made second in command (like Christ) to the king. Mordecai earned that position by working for the good of his people and speaking up for the welfare of all his seed. Like Esther, many Gentiles are now adopted heirs to the promises. Gal 3:29 - by conquering sin and death Christ offers hope for Esther and hope for all believers.

 The Book of Esther is a wonderful reminder that God is ever present to help, even though there appears for the moment, no tangible evidence of His presence. Let us never lose our faith in Him, for ultimate deliverance is certain (Isa 54:17).                                    

Although not a feast under the Law, Purim (Feast of Lots) was kept by subsequent generations of Jews; and is still kept today (9:24,26,28).  Unfortunately, for Jews, it serves to bolster the belief in their own ability to overcome enemies rather than giving credit to the LORD.

9:22  The turning of ‘sorrow to joy’ quotes Jer 31:13. The context in Jeremiah is of a regathering of Israel. So the Jews would be comforted in their captivity that their God had not forgotten them but that He was still working for them as He had promised.

10:2 That Ahasuerus wrote of ‘his power and of his might’ shows that he elevated himself in this matter even though he was the one who had signed the original decree to allow the Jews to be killed! The deliverance of the Jews was effected by God but Ahasuerus wanted to bask in the glory of the deliverance!

9:19 The sending of gifts at a time of rejoicing is turned on its head – Rev 11:10 – where gifts are sent when the two witnesses are killed.

The feast of Purim foreshadows the rejoicing of the nation of Israel after their regathering from among the nations where they have been subdued by the Gentiles, and the rebels among them are purged out. (Isa 35, Isa 66, Isa 60:16, Eze 20:33-34) It is a commemoration of Divine deliverance. It points to Divine grace which was shown to the nation at this time, and is a token of that grace that has been extended to all mankind which in Christ Jesus is mighty to save.

9:12   We should not think that the Jews wantonly went on a killing spree to kill the 500 men in Shushan.  It is more likely that there were men who, hoping for favour with Haman, sought to bring about Haman’s desires despite the king’s decree.

9:4 Mordecai – and by implication – his behaviour became renowned throughout the whole kingdom. If only our faithfulness to God cause many far and wide to be known thus glorifying God!

Est 9:5,6,12,15,16 - perhaps this figuratively echoes purging that which can destroy God's children - i.e., sin/evil.

Est 9:10,12,13,14 - "10" (some feel the number "10" signifies judgment or perfection of divine order) sons of Haman were killed.

Est 9:10,15,16 - they did not take any plunder though they were allowed (Est 8:11). We are to seek first the kingdom of God, worldly riches are not what we should seek (Matt 6:31-33;Luke 16:13;Matt 19:16-24;1Tim 6:9-10).

Perhaps we have an echo of the deliverance kingdom age: Est 9:16 - gathered together, personally responsible for their lives, rest; Est 9:17 - rest, feasting, gladness; Est 9:18 - 3 days which perhaps suggests resurrection or divine perfection, assembled together, rested, feasting, gladness; Est 9:22 - rested, sorrow to joy, mourning into a good day, feasting and joy, gifts to the poor (Matt 5:3;2Cor 8:1-15;1Kin 4:25;Mic 4:4).

Est 9:24-28 - the "pur" [(6332) means "a lot (as by means of a broken piece)] was cast by perhaps a personification of sin (Haman) intended for Mordecai (and all God's children) but perhaps in a figurative sense the "lot" fell on Christ whose human flesh was broken (Heb 2:14-15) but in the process destroyed the devil (personification of sin/Haman) via a resurrection, and in the process saves the true children of God. This lot or Purim should be remembered and never cease to be celebrated just as believers should remember the sacrifice and victory of Christ over sin and death through the bread and the wine (Matt 26:26-29). 

The two decrees of Ahasuerus - The first (Est 3:8-14) cursed the Jews and provided no hope of life - it made evident the need of a saviour. the second (Matt 5:17;Est 8:10-11) did not set the first aside, but delivered them from it's curse (Deut 21:23;Gal 3:10-14), thus nullifying it. Perhaps we have echoes of the law and the new covenant redemption in Christ.

As if out of nowhere, in Est 10:1 we read "and King Ahasuerus imposed tribute on the land and on the islands of the sea". Why does it say this here? What has it got to do with the story? Let's investigate.

Type tribute into a bible search website, or use a concordance. Can you see anything relevant? How about the first passage that comes up? In Numbers 31 God tells Israel to take vengeance on the nation that hated them, Midian. They defeat Midian and take much spoil (Num 31:7-11). What they do now is interesting - they bring the spoil to Moses (v12) and God commands Moses to count up the plunder and share it out, keeping a tribute portion for God (v25-30). Can you see the similarities to Esther? Remember in 8v11 the Jews had been commanded to plunder their enemies. And in 9:11-12 the number of those killed (and presumably plundered) is brought to King Ahasuerus, just as was done in the time of Moses. So it is reasonable to assume Ahasuerus would want a tribute portion from the Jews of the spoil they took. The Jews were after all a nation in subjection to him, and the enemies they killed were his subjects too. It might even have been Mordecai who suggested it as a way of compensating the king for the 10,000 talents he lost (Est 3:8-10). This rings true, because one of Esther's arguments to the king is that the tax raised from the Jews would outweigh the sum Haman had paid into the treasury (Est 7:4).

Once again the Bible shows itself internally accurate, precise and correct.

9:25  The ‘wicked device’ is echoed exactly in the Hebrew of Eze 38:10 "evil thought". So the Gogian invasion is a pattern of Haman’s desire with a matching deliverance.

9:20   So the plan and purpose of God has come full circle and is fulfilled. Haman – Est 3:12– had, by writing, engineered (as he thought) the destruction of the Jews. Mordecai, by writing, that they should memorialise the destruction of Haman.

9:3     The decree had gone out throughout the whole of the kingdom. Clearly also the whole of the kingdom had been told of the wicked plans of Haman and also of the status of Esther. In helping the Jews the heads of state identified with Israel.. this situation is actually better than a revocation of the original decree. That would have required no action on the part of the people. Because the decree could not be changed and another option was provided people had to make a conscious choice to associate with Israel.

9:25      The idea of bringing punishment upon his own head has been seen many times before in Scripture – 1Sam 25:29, 1Kin 2:32, 2Chron 6:23, Neh 4:4, Psa 7:6, Eze 17:3, 33:4, Joel 3:4,7, Obad 1:15

Est 9:20-32 Mordecai wrote letters to the Jews throughout the provinces instructing them to observe the 14^th-15^th of the month Adar (12^th month) as a period of feasting and celebration for the triumph over Haman the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews.  The celebration was to be an annual event for every generation to come.  There does not appear to be any reference to the celebration of this feast in New Testament times.  However, in John 5:1 there is a reference to a feast “there was a feast of the Jews”.  Perhaps this is a reference the man-made feast of Purim?

9:6    That in  Shushan the Jews killed 500 men indicates that, or so it seems, that Haman had a lot of supporters who shared his opposition to the Jews.

9:27-28       Notice the feast of Purim which the Jews inaugurated was for both Jew and gentile.

9:4       The way in which the status of Mordecai increased seems to reflect the principle outlines in Prov 4:18

9:2     The way in which the Jews were delivered speaks of a principle laid out in the Psalms – Psa 71:24

9:29      Esther being made queen and Mordecai’s elevation might seem completely unrelated. However their independent ascendancy in the kingdom was “of God” for just this time. Throughout the whole of the book of Esther we have seen on many occasions the wonderful, unseen, providence of God in preserving His people.

9:29 this is the sixth time that Mordecai’s name is associated with him being “a Jew”. Helping us to realise that the book of Esther is concerned with the survival of the Jews. It was Haman that wanted to be rid of “Mordecai the Jew” –  5:13

10:3 Notice the high ideals and principles of Mordecai. He sought the wellbeing of his people. Society today teaches that to advance oneself one might have to “stab others in the back” and disregard moral values once cherished. Others who reach positions of status forget from where they have come and move in different circles. Such should not be the behaviour of the servants of God.

9:24 Notice how Haman is spoken of – the Agagite – reminding us of his position inEst 3:1. It is significant that the word “Agagite” only occurs in the book of Esther.

10:1  Haman offered Ahasuerus a monetary benefit in exchange for ridding the kingdom of Jews – 4:9 – and now the king seeks a monetary tribute on all his subjects except, it seems, the Jews. Another example of a contrast between to circumstances.

COMMUNICATION WITH ATTITUDE

Mordecai wrote letters to all the Jews. His primary aim was to confirm the days of celebration that were to be kept in order that the Jews would never forget the days of deliverance God had given them from Haman’s evil plot. His letters could have been written briefly and to the point, but Mordecai chose to put attitude into his words along with his message.

“And Mordecai sent letters to all the Jews in the 127 provinces of Xerxes’s kingdom – words of goodwill and assurance – to establish these days of Purim at their designated times.” (Est 9:30-31).

The attitude Mordecai added to his letters was that of goodwill and assurance. What a positive and uplifting letter that must have been. So much for the formal state letter that leaves you feeling washed-out and confused!

Since the days of Mordecai, postal and communication systems have improved hugely. Any of us can communicate with almost anyone at any time. Let’s make sure our communications are filled with attitude – an attitude of goodwill and assurance. It doesn’t matter what we say, it’s how we say it that counts.

9:17-20 And now, after the Jews are delivered from wicked Haman, that “feasting” is mentioned four times. It is the Jews “feasting” because of their deliverance.

In a way it reflects that rejoicing of those delivered form sin and death.

v.2 - In sending Jonah to Nineveh, God is turning to the Gentiles and offering them the way of salvation through repentance. Maybe this was part of the reason for Jonah's reticence, given that even many years later, Peter, who had been with the Lord, had to be persuaded by a vision. Jonah also knew just how embarrassing it would be for his own people if a Gentile city repented. This, presumably, is what God intended, that they might be shamed into repentance themselves.

1:1 Jonah was from Gathhepher 2 Kings 14:25 Gath Hepher is a small village, in Biblical times, just a few miles West from the Southern end of the Sea of Galilee. Thus Jonah was a prophet from Galilee. See the comment of the Jewish leaders to Nicodemus John 7:52

v.5,15-16 - Quite an incidental extra to this story, it seems, is that the people on the boat turned from their gods in v.5 to worship the true God by v.15-16 having seen the way he had dealt with Jonah, and His power over the elements.

1:3 Whilst Jonah was fleeing from the presence of the Lord it is clear that in reality he realised that was not possible - else he would not have prayed out of the belly of the fish - Jonah 2:2 - however he still fled to Tarshish. We can behave in a similar way. We know that God can always see our actions and know our thoughts but we still stray from His way.

Whilst Jonah takes a back seat in the storm account this contrasts powerfully with Paul (Acts 27:10-44) who is a major player in the narrative. A contrast. Jonah was fleeing from God - or trying to. Paul saw his journey to Rome as an opportunity to preach.

YOU CAN'T HIDE FROM THE LORD

Jonah didn't like what God told him to do. As there was no use complaining or saying "NO!", Jonah decided to run away and hide from the LORD instead. He caught a ship going in the opposite direction from where God wanted him to go and went into the bottom of the ship and fell asleep. If anywhere was going to be safe from the eyes of God, this was going to be it. Jonah was far from the place he should have been, in the middle of the sea, in the bottom of a boat and asleep. It had about the same amount of impact on God as a child standing in the middle of a room with his eyes shut, shouting, "You can't see me!" But God knew exactly where Jonah was and he sent a storm to prove it. Jonah was about to learn a lesson. He thought God couldn't see him in the middle of the sea, in the bottom of the boat with his eyes shut. But then he was thrown overboard and swallowed by the fish. Now he was hidden by God, and he knew that God knew where he was. God had hidden Jonah better than he could hide himself. He was in the middle of the ocean, at the bottom of the sea, inside a fish and in total darkness. From there Jonah learned that God can see everything, everywhere and that he hears prayer from even the remotest and most well hidden of places.

The lesson is that no matter how well hidden we are, no matter how many curtains we pull and how many doors we shut and lock, God sees us and he knows everything we do. But if we repent and turn back to God he will hear our prayer from where ever we happen to be..

Jonah 1:3. The lesson for us is that we must at all times, discern the will of  God, accept the will of God, and always be aware that we can not hide from God.

Jonah 1:4. This storm that blew up must have been unusual and unexpected, the sailors of this period would have been aware of weather patterns, and would not have set out to sea if any storm warning had been present. You will remember that on Paul’s journey to Rome the sailors were aware of the weather patterns.

Jonah came from Gath Hepher (2Kin 14:25).  Today Gath Hepher is called El Meshed and is situated two miles from Nazareth (in Galilee). The (supposed) tomb of Jonah is there and revered by the locals. The proximity of Gath Hepher to Christ's home town adds even more weight to the statement in John 7:52.

1 When we read the prophecy of Jonah we should realise that we are being shown the problem that Jonah had with the righteousness of God. His actual words of prophecy are very few. Look for them in your reading.

Jonah, whose name means dove, prophesied about 760 BC during the reign of Jeroboam II.  He tried to flee from the presence of the LORD (v.3) to avoid going his responsibility in going to Assyria.  We are reminded that wherever we are, we cannot evade the presence of the LORD.  The psalmist says it best: Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there (Ps 139:7,8).  And so, let us remember that whatever we say, or in whatever activity we are involved, the LORD hears all and sees all.

Jonah seems to be an echo of Christ's resurrection and mission to all nations.

1:4 - here we have a ship (which would be constructed of wood) passing through water which reminds one of the ark which saved people passing through the water (like the burial of baptism) and also might remind us of Christ on the cross who defeated the power of sin and death. 1:5 - here we have the mention of a deep sleep (death has been described in the Bible as like sleep). 1:7 - we have the casting of lots (not unlike the casting of lots for Christ's clothing). 1:12 - Jonah chose to be thrown into the sea (symbolic of burial or water baptism and the burying of sinful ways) to save others much like Christ who offered his life for others. 1:14 - the concept of not being accountable (Jesus said, "Father forgive them...") for taking another's life. 1:15 - the actual throwing of Jonah into the sea (like the actual killing/burial of Christ) prepared the way so others could survive. 1:16 - the mention of sacrifice. 1:17 - being buried or swallowed up in a place of darkness for three days. 2:2 - we have mention of the righteous Jonah being in "hell" which is the Heb "sheol" (7585) meaning "grave, pit", etc. the same place where Christ went for three days upon his death and where all dead people and animals go (Psa 49:12-20). Jon 2:4 -  Jonah has faith that he will see a holy temple (much as Christ looked forward to the kingdom age when he will return to the earth). Jon 2:6 - we have a resurrection from "corruption" Heb. "shachath" (7845) means "corruption, grave , pit", etc. (similar to Christ being spared from corruption in the grave). Jon 2:7 - praying to God as his life ebbed away (much as Christ prayed to God on the cross). Jon 3:2 - Jonah reached out to Nineveh a Gentile city (Christ died for Jew and Gentile). Jon 3:3 - the mention of three days to reach Nineveh (it took three days to be able to reach out to Nineveh just as Christ's sacrifice grafted in Gentiles as heirs of the promises to Abraham. Gal 3:26-29). Jon 3:4 - we have the mention of 40 days (Christ roamed 40 days after his death and earlier fasted the same). Jon 3:5 - Nineveh puts on sackcloth and thus mourns their sins and repents.

You cannot escape from God. The Lord told Jonah to go east, and he went west. And look how many people and how much sea was disturbed just to get Jonah back to where he should be! Even a special fish was created.  That hadn’t happened since the 6th day of creation!

1:2 In speaking of Nineveh as a ‘great city’ God is harking back to His description of the city in Gen 10:12.

1:13 We can conclude that the ship was not far from land because we are told they ‘rowed hard to bring it to land’ – something that would not be attempted if they were a long way from the land. So we conclude that the storm arose only a very short while after they had left port.

1:9,       In telling the mariners that he was a Hebrew we have confirmed that Jonah was not frightened to speak about his God. His concern was that the Ninevites would repent and God would forgive them – Jon 4:2

The use of 'great' (Gadowl 01431) in Jonah is interesting.
 

There are a few others where gadowl is translated 'exceeding'.  

In 700 BC, Nineveh was Sennacherib's great capital city of Assyria.  In Jonah's time, the capital was Calneh which lay some 20 miles south of Sennacherib's city.  Calneh, however, was part of the city-state which included Nineveh.

1:2-3 Notice the contrast that the wording forces us to see. God told Jonah to ‘arise’ – Jonah did ‘rise’ but in direct opposition to the instruction of God.

1 That this book of Jonah focuses upon the problem of Jonah is seen more clearly when we do see – 2Kin 14:25– that he did have a message for Judah.

1:4     This is an example of Psa 148:8 stormy wind fulfilling his word:

1:3     The Psalmist  - Psa 139:7 – had highlighted his appreciation that one cannot hide from the omnipresent God. It seems, at least at the beginning of this charge to the prophet that he did not accept what the Psalmist said.  Doubtless he was aware of what the Psalmist had said but it did not impact on the way he thought. We are, so often, like that. We are aware of Bible truths intellectually but that knowledge does not cause us to change the way we live. A powerful warning.

Jon 1:1-3

“NOW the word of the LORD (Yahweh) came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD (Yahweh) and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish… and went down into it… from the presence of the LORD (Yahweh)."

The Ninevites were Assyrians, much feared as a military force to be reckoned with, from back in King David’s time. Nineveh was the oldest and most populous city of the ancient Assyrian Empire, situated on the east bank of the Tigris River opposite modern Mosul, in Iraq. They are the descendents of the rebellious Nimrod.

When God asked Jonah to warn the Ninevites, Jonah was scared as these pagan Assyrians were the traditional enemies of the Israelites. Not only where the rulers of Assyria terribly cruel, they boasted of their cruelty on monuments that exist in museums to this day! Some of their boasts read: “I cut off their heads and formed them into pillars.” “I cut off the limbs of the officers, the royal officers who rebelled.” Jonah decides rather to take a ship in the opposite direction, but the ship was caught in turbulent waves. After being swallowed by a whale specially prepared by God and miraculously saved, Jonah then proceeds to Nineveh and they repent.

It is very interesting to note the events prior to Jonah's preaching to them around 758-757 B.C. - factors which may have prepared the people to receive Jonah’s message of destruction unless the inhabitants repent for their sins of idolatry, violence and immorality.

In 765 B.C. Nineveh, the mightiest army in the world became powerless before a plague!

In 763 B.C. on June 15^th, there was a solar eclipse. They were afraid of eclipses, thinking they were bad omens!

In 759 B.C. another plague hits Assyria. This was just one to two years prior to Jonah’s preaching to them!

It would appear that they were ripe for repentance at that time, but later turned back to their evil ways.

1:6-8     Jonah is asleep in the boat during the storm – rather like Jesus when the disciples come and wake him up –Mark 4:36-38 – but whereas Jonah was cast into the sea Jesus calmed the sea with a word.  So there was a similarity both Jonah and Jesus calmed the storm with words.

Jon 1:2; Jon 2:10

“Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come upon before me… And the LORD (Yahweh) spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.”

“Great” is the Hebrew word, gadowl, # <1419>, which also carries the meaning of a “large city, insolent, proud.” The LORD was not extolling Nineveh for its greatness. Indeed, history records the gory cruelties incurred in this “great city,” the name of which brought fear into the hearts of men at its mere utterance. Nineveh, a major Assyrian city is located at present day Mosul, Iraq.

These Ninevites believed God and repented after Jonah tells the Ninevites of God’s judgment (Jon 3:4-10) in spite of very little evidence from him! It would make one wonder how such an Assyrian race, Israel’s worst enemy, could respond to a Hebrew prophet with such a sudden conversion, especially in light of the fact that Christ, a greater than Jonah, provided numerous evidences of who he was in his day, but few repented (Matt 12:38-41; Luke 11:32)!

There have been discoveries of fish-god sculptures found in Nineveh, Assyria. Did the worship of Dagon, their fish-god, make them more susceptible to Jonah’s preaching? Given Jonah’s extraordinary arrival upon the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, that Jonah had just been spewed out from the belly of a great fish, smelled like fish, possibly witnessed by some superstitious Ninevites - it is possible that this incidence would have reached right up to the King of Nineveh, heed Jonah’s words, and cause the city to proclaim a fast and repent in sackcloth and ashes.

Jonah often gets a bad rap for his behaviour, but his behaviour reminds me of Moses’ behaviour when he was asked to go back to Egypt to speak with Pharaoh (Exo 3 - Exo 4:14). It is truly amazing that the first thing God revealed to Moses about Himself when Israel rebelled against Him was that He is merciful and compassionate (Exo 34), and now He wanted Jonah to learn this very important lesson.

Jonah had to go it alone, but one fact often over-looked was his compassion toward the sailors. He gave them a plan designed to release them from God’s wrath, which would result in his own death! Jonah was not a compassionless man, as also evidenced by his reaction even to the gourd, he just could not believe that the Assyrians could repent within forty days, just as today’s critics of the Bible find Nineveh’s repentance hard to believe.

Jonah had no compassion toward the Ninevites. However, he learned that we are to show compassion toward all, just as God was compassionate and merciful and gave even a city like Nineveh space to repent. History reveals that this repentance did not last and Nineveh was destroyed as prophesied by the Hebrew prophets, especially Nahum.

1:6  Jonah, who had already told the mariners of the reason for his journey, – Jon 1:10 - behave in a way so out of character from the mariners. Why was Jonah so relaxed about the storm that he was able to sleep? The record does not provide a reason. 

The story of Jonah may have taken place during the reign of Jeroboam II because of a reference to Jonah in 2Kin 14:25. He is from town belonging to the tribe of Zebulun called Gath Hepher, or Gittah-hepher, see Josh 19:10-13, which is in the North of Israel near to Galilee. That means his journey to Joppa (modern Jaffa) could have been 100km, at least a three day journey.

1:14  The mariners must have had some knowledge and regard to Yahweh for they cry to Him asking that killing Jonah would not be held against them.

1:2-3  Often, even though God does not directly command us, we see work that has to be done. All too often, maybe, we hang back or find excuses for not doing that work. Jesus told a parable about men who made excuses –Luke 14:16-20

1:4    From the reaction of the mariners we have to conclude that this storm was like nothing that they had experienced before.

1:4    The seemingly casual comment that the Lord sent a great wind highlights that God is actively working in His creation to fulfil His purpose.

Jon 1; Jon 2; Jon 3; Jon 4

By comparing Jon 1:1 with 2Kin 14:25, we learn that Jonah’s father was Amittai. This is the same Jonah, the prophet after Elisha, of the Northern Kingdom of Israel under King Jeroboam II circa 786-746 BC. This was before the Assyrians under King Shalmaneser conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 722 BC.  Nineveh, a city founded by Nimrod (Gen 10:7-11), was the ancient capital of Assyria.

Unlike the other prophets who were sent to prophecy to Israel and Judah, Jonah was sent to prophecy to Nineveh. It was the capital of the Gentile Assyrian Empire, one of Israel’s fiercest enemies! Historians record the Assyrian King at this time was Ashur-Dan III. These people were outside of the Mosaic covenant relationship with Yahweh, nonetheless, they were accountable to His moral laws (Jon 1:2). Since sin is the transgression of Divine law (1John 3:4; cf. Rom 4:15), specifically designed to regulate human morality, it was not meant only for the nation of Israel, as some believe and teach!

Jonah chose to be disobedient to Yahweh’s command and fled from Him. No other prophet is recorded as doing so! He went down to Joppa, boarded a ship going down to Tarshish, while going through a fierce storm, Jonah went down in the ship to sleep (Jon 1:5) while the mariners wrestled to save the ship! Everything Jonah did took him further from Yahweh!

The “great fish” (Jon 1:17) “prepared” by Yahweh for Jonah is not a whale even though so translated in the New Testament (cf. Matt 12:40). “Whale” is mistranslated, and should only read as, “a huge fish” as described here in Jonah. A whale is a mammal, in the cetacean family, and not a fish.  What Yahweh has foreordained, He will accomplish, so there is no point in running away from Him (Isa 46:9-11). No artful dodger can thwart His plans!