Skip to main content

May 14 + Daily readings & notes

DAY 134

We're reading another prophet today.  Here's the Bible Project video that describes what the book is about.

DAILY READINGS

Jonah 1-4 & Psalm 129

DAILY NOTES

Jonah 1
  • Notice the simple, direct message God gave Jonah.  There's no explanation for why Jonah doesn't follow through (yet).  As quickly as the word from God comes, he goes away.
  • The mariners have their own god to cry out to for help.  They ask Jonah to cry out to his God.  Did you notice he never did?  He only told them that he worships the Lord.  
    • The mariners feared the Lord after this.  
Jonah 2
  • When he and the others were in trouble, Jonah didn't cry out to God.  Now that he's sitting inside a big fish, he offers a prayer to God.  
  • And notice even the fish listens to God!
Jonah 3
  • The word of God comes to Jonah again.  This time Jonah responds.  And the people of Nineveh respond with faith in God.
  • Up to this point, everyone has had a change of mind.
Jonah 4
  • Now we know why Jonah didn't want to go to Nineveh.  He doesn't like the people of Nineveh.  That'll preach.
  • Notice who gets the last word of the book.
Psalm 129
  • Reading Jonah and Psalm 129 together is interesting.  How would you feel about your enemies if you were Jonah or the psalmist?

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

Jonah is meant to be read a bit tongue-in-cheek.  There are several points where it's totally appropriate to laugh at what's being portrayed.

There are many lessons to be learned from the short book.  I tend to focus on Chapter 2.  In that chapter the prophet cries out to God.  Jonah cries out to God with the expectation that God will hear him.  And he was right.  The chapter is a complete prayer of thanksgiving, acknowledging the power and mercy of God, and it ends with the assurance that "deliverance belongs to the Lord!"

Jonah knew that about God.  He just wasn't willing to live that about God.  That is, he wasn't all that ready to let others know/experience God's grace.  Why?  He didn't like the people of Nineveh.  They had a reputation.  Oh, and they had probably done some things to his people before.

Most people wouldn't blame Jonah for feeling disgust at the thought of having to talk with the Ninevites.  To preach to them.  To see them be forgiven by God.

And that's why we don't live according to our standards.  We look to how God sees the world.

I wonder if one of the lessons of the book is that it can be hard for us religious people to actually do that.

Stay blessed...john

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

February 16 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 47 Before the movie Shrek, the best known talking donkey was Balaam's donkey.  That's what we're reading about today.   Of course, that's only part of the story between Balak and Balaam.   DAILY READINGS Numbers 22-24 & Psalm 47 DAILY NOTES Numbers 22:2 Apparently, Israel is making a name for itself.  The Moabites are terrified and distressed/irritated by the news of what the Israelites are doing. Numbers 22:5-6 Balaam is, apparentely, a diviner with a good reputation.  Balak is "overcome with fear" and his response is to go to Balaam.  Balak knows that "whomever you bless is blessed, and whomever you curse is cursed." Numbers 22:8 This is the recurring theme for Balaam.  He will only say what  God tells him to say.  That is, there's no money back guarantee.  Even if it doesn't align with what Balak wants, Balaam will only give the words that God gives him. There is no indication why Balaam w...
Post a Comment
Read more

April 3 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 93 After today we'll have finished another book of the Bible.  King David's place in the story of God is winding down. DAILY READINGS 2 Samuel 22-24 & Psalm 93 DAILY NOTES 2 Samuel 22 This is a psalm of praise and thanksgiving.  Psalm 18 is a variation of this psalm. 2 Samuel 23 David's reign (and life) are drawing to a close.  These are some of his last words and speak of men that have served under him.   2 Samuel 24 David wants a census of the people.  Since he later sees it as a sin, we can gather that he had prideful purposes for doing so.   The king repents, but also suffers the judgement of the sin.  Technically, 70,000 of the people he just counted suffered. Afterwards, David builds an altar to God. Psalm 93 God's rule over earth is celebrated.  This is what's called an enthronement psalm.  OTHER OBSERVATIONS There's an interesting observation to consider about 2 Samuel 24:1...
Post a Comment
Read more

April 6 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 96 We've come a long way from wondering in the desert.  Now, after many battles and years of disarray, God's people are living in peace and the Lord has a house built. DAILY READINGS 1 Kings 8-10 & Psalm 96 DAILY NOTES 1 Kings 8 Solomon brings the ark of God to the temple. The temple is dedicated.  Solomon offers a prayer for the occasion. Solomon blesses the people. 1 Kings 9 The highlight of this chapter is that God appears to Solomon again (in a dream?).  The line of David will continue through Solomon, assuming he follows the way of God.  The people must also follow. 1 Kings 10 The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon to see for herself his wisdom.  She is amazed (breathless).  The two crowns exchange gifts. Some of Solomon's furniture is described as a way to emphasize the grandeur of his reign and the temple.  Notice how "the whole earth" wanted to see Solomon (10:24). OTHER OBSERVATIONS Solomon's prayer at...
Post a Comment
Read more