Studying Jonah 1
Below is the Studying Jonah Bible Study for Jonah 1.
Our hope and desire is that as you use this Bible Study you will begin to learn how to study the Bible on your own. Throughout the study, we’ll be using questions from the CHARA Bible Study Guide, which will show you how to get the most out of studying the book of Jonah, by discovering what questions to ask and how to stay focused on the original intended meaning of the text. You’ll notice these CHARA questions are BOLDED throughout this Bible Study, so you can easily see where and how this study method can help you discover more of the Bible for yourself.
Also, don’t miss the video that accompanies this Bible Study (below) as the Chara Project team talks about what we can learn from studying Jonah 1 (also available as a podcast!).
READ: JONAH 1
As with any book in the Bible, as we begin with Jonah, let’s place ourselves in the story to understand the characters and history around what’s happening.
1. HISTORY - Who was it written about? How does the text describe them?
As we begin reading, we are introduced right away to the central character in this book.
What can you learn about Jonah from Jonah 1:1, 9 and 2 Kings 14:25 (found using cross-references)?
What was the instruction given from the Lord and what was Jonah’s response in Jonah 1:2-3?
What reason is given for Jonah's actions (repeated twice in Jonah 1:3 and again in Jonah 1:10)?
Jonah was a Hebrew who worshiped the Lord. He was selected by God to be a prophet - one who would communicate the Lord’s message to people on His behalf. He didn’t aspire to be a prophet, earn the position, or make it there based on seniority or influence. In fact, to do so, would have been a sign of a false prophet (Jeremiah 14:14; 23:21). Being a prophet wasn’t sought after, glamorous or easy, as seen by numerous prophets throughout the Old Testament:
Jonah was told to proclaim judgment against the wickedness in the city of Nineveh.
Jeremiah felt he was too young to be a prophet (Jeremiah 1:6-8).
Ezekiel knew the people would refuse to listen (Ezekiel 2:7-8).
Daniel risked his life to pray to the Lord (Daniel 6).
Isaiah was instructed by God to walk around naked (Isaiah 20:1-4).
And the list goes on.
Despite these difficulties, these prophets all obeyed the Lord. Already, in the first three verses, Jonah stands in stark contrast. Jonah is the only recorded prophet to disobey the Lord! Knowing this, we can’t help but wonder why? Why did Jonah refuse to go to Nineveh?
2. HISTORY - Where does the narrative take place? What can you learn about their town and travel?
God called Jonah to journey more than 500 miles northeast of Samaria to Nineveh, a major city of the Assyrians, and one of Israel’s most feared enemies.
Instead, in what direction did Jonah head and how far was he willing to go? Check to see if your Bible has a map or study notes that highlight the direction and distance to Tarshish, where Jonah tried to flee, versus Nineveh, where the Lord called the prophet.
How does the text describe Nineveh? (Jonah 1:2, 3:8b, 4:11, consider reading in the New Living Translation)
3. CONTEXT - Bible: Does another passage in the Bible provide clarity?
Check out cross-references in your Bible to see that it points to places like the book of Nahum (just two books past Jonah in your Bible), another prophet that God called to pronounce judgment upon Nineveh in the next century. We learn quite a bit more about Nineveh in this short prophetic book.
How is Nineveh described in Nahum 3:1-4?
4. RESEARCH - Resources: What additional insights can you learn about Nineveh or the Assyrians from Biblical scholars provided in Study Bibles, commentaries and credible online resources?
Here are a few we came across:
“Nineveh was a major city of the Assyrians, a cruel and warlike people who were longtime enemies of Israel. Assyrian artwork emphasizes war, including scenes of execution, impalement, flaying the skin off prisoners, and beheadings.” - CSB Study Bible
“Nineveh was the capital of one of the cruelest, vilest, most powerful, and most idolatrous empires in the world.” - Bible Knowledge Commentary
“The city was great in splendor and influence, being one of the leading cities of the powerful Assyrian Empire… It’s merchants traveled the empire and brought great wealth into the city, and Assyria’s armies were feared everywhere. Nineveh was great in sin, for the Assyrians were known far and wide for their violence, showing no mercy to their enemies. They impaled live victims on sharp poles, leaving them to roast to death in the desert sun; they beheaded people by the thousands and stacked their skulls up in piles by the city gates; and they even skinned people alive. They respected neither age nor sex and followed a policy of killing babies and young children so they wouldn’t have to care for them (Nahum 3:10).” - The Bible Exposition Commentary by Warren W. Wiersbe
5. APPLY - Reflect: What specific questions do you have upon further reflection of the passage?
Knowing about Nineveh and the cruelty and violence of the Assyrians would be enough to make any of us flee for our lives! The text hasn’t revealed if this is why Jonah refused to go to Nineveh, but it’s not hard to imagine that it could have been a factor.
Has fear ever caused you to disobey the Lord?
6. RESEARCH - Observations & Questions: What observations or questions do you have?
As we continue reading about Jonah’s journey, one skill worth developing is the ability to ask questions - to read the text with curiosity.
What stands out to you when you read Jonah 1:4-16?
7. HISTORY - Who was it written about? How does the Bible describe them?
In the opening verses God called Jonah to preach to the Gentiles (non-Jews) in Nineveh. The irony is that even when Jonah disobeyed the Lord and ran in the opposite direction, preaching to Gentiles is exactly what Jonah ends up doing… just not to ones in Nineveh (yet).
What can you learn about the sailors from the text (Jonah 1:5-8)?
8. HISTORY - What worldview, cultural, religious, political factors and experiences were a part of their world and how did that influence them?
The sailors' actions in Jonah 1:5-8 suggest they held a common pagan worldview of their day - when misfortune struck it was because one of their many gods was angry. We see the sailors scrambling to figure out which god was angry and how to appease him.
How does the text reveal what the sailors' understanding of the gods was at that time (Jonah 1:5-11)?
9. APPLY - Ask: What do you learn about God - His character, attributes, or desires?
How did Jonah describe his God to the sailors (Jonah 1:9)?
How did this impact the sailors at this particular moment (Jonah 1:10)?
10. AUTHOR - Related Text: What is emphasized by comparing and contrasting the actions of the sailors with those of Jonah?
In the raging storm, when lives were at stake, how did Jonah’s actions compare to the sailors? Here are a few places to look:
What was Jonah doing when the sailors cried out to their gods to save them (Jonah 1:5)?
In contrast, what effort did the sailors go to to save Jonah’s life (Jonah 1:13)?
Who ended up praying to the Lord (Jonah 1:14)? Who should have?
This is the first of two upside down encounters in this book, when the prophet turns from God and the pagan Gentiles turn to the Lord.
11. AUTHOR - Person: How did Jonah’s experiences influence what he communicated (or did not communicate)?
When those around him cried out to their gods in the thick of the storm, Jonah was silent - he did not pray and ask his God to save himself or others. Not only that, Jonah told the sailors to throw him overboard! Was there another option? A simpler one? Perhaps turn the ship around or pray that God would rescue them!
Why do you think Jonah remained silent?
What does Jonah’s instruction to the sailors in Jonah 1:12 tell you about Jonah’s attitude and heart?
Jonah’s silence was an indicator of his guilt. He knew he was to blame for the storm. Yet, Jonah would rather die than obey what the Lord had asked him to do.
12. RESEARCH - Observations & Questions: What observations or questions do you have? What stands out to you when you reread the passage?
Even when we try to hide, even when we or our loved ones stop listening and talking to God, He is perfectly capable of getting our attention - often through storms in our life, but also through other people, even the most unlikely people.
How did God use the sailors to get Jonah’s attention throughout the storm?
Has God ever used something or someone unlikely to get your attention or accomplish His will?
13. AUTHOR - Related Text: What is emphasized by Cause and Effect?
What happened after Jonah was thrown into the sea (Jonah 1:15-16)?
What impact did this have on the sailors?
God cares for the lost! He rescued the sailors, pursued Jonah and we’ll soon discover the Lord even had compassion for the people of Nineveh. By revealing His power and authority over the wind and the sea, just as Jonah had said back in verse 9, the Lord invited the lost sailors to know Him and to give Him their allegiance and trust over all other so-called gods.
14. RESEARCH - Translations: Does another Bible translation add perspective or clarity?
Take a look at Jonah 1:17 in different Bible translations (Hint: use a variety, like the NIV, ESV, NLT, and/or KJV).
What different words are used to describe the Lord’s role in Jonah being swallowed by the fish?
15. APPLY - Ask: What do you learn about God - His character, attributes, or desires?
Throughout Jonah 1, we can learn a lot about God from His interaction with Jonah, the sailors, the fish, and even the storm and the sea!.
What specific aspects of God stand out to you from this chapter?
Join the Chara Project team as they talk about what we can learn from studying Jonah 1 (also available as a podcast!).
How to Study the Bible
Access the CHARA Bible Study Guide
The Chara Project Podcast
A Podcast to Equip You To Understand and Study the Bible
The Neighbor Guide
Tips on How to Study the Bible with your Neighbor
Podcast: How to Study Jonah
An Overview of Studying the Book of Jonah