Studying Jonah 1
Below is the Studying Jonah Bible Study for Jonah 1.
Our desire is to help people learn how to study God’s Word and discover its intended meaning - understanding its message the way the original audience would have heard it. And that’s exactly what you can expect in this Bible Study on the book of Jonah. 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 and NUMBERED 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
God is always present and yet sometimes He shows up in our lives in unexpected ways - ways that can drag us out of the familiar and the comfortable. And when that happens it's as if a spotlight is suddenly directed at the core of who we are, revealing what truly lies in our heart. At least that’s what happened to a prophet named Jonah and his story is masterfully woven into scripture. In chapter one, we’re invited to join Jonah on his journey - one full of rebellion, fear, irony, and unexpected events that highlight the One who orchestrated it all.
As we begin to place ourselves in the story, let’s familiarize ourselves with its history, particularly the people and places we’ll be introduced to in Jonah chapter one. One of the most helpful resources to learn about the people and places found in the Bible is the concordance or index, typically found in the back of your Bible. Most Study Bibles will have one or both of these resources, but they are not all the same and some may not mention what you’re looking for where others will. You can also look up cross references, the tiny printed letters and corresponding references found within the Biblical text itself (i.e. look for small letters next to “Jonah” or “Nineveh” in Jonah 1:1-2). All of these resources will point you to other key places that those people, places, concepts and words are mentioned throughout the Bible. We’ll introduce you to these resources and practice using them to answer the first couple questions.
1. HISTORY - Who was it written about? How does the text describe them?
We can learn more about Jonah throughout the Biblical text, both within the book itself and throughout the Bible using the concordance/index or cross-references. Using one or more of these resources, look to see where else Jonah is mentioned in the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament.
What can you learn about Jonah from Jonah 1:1, 9 and 2 Kings 14:25?
What was Jonah’s response to the Lord’s instruction 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. Here Jonah was told to proclaim judgment against the wickedness in the city of Nineveh. He didn’t ask for this job, 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:
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?
Three cities are mentioned in the first three verses in the book of Jonah, indicating that perhaps we should pay attention to where and why these places are included! Once again, the concordance/index and cross-references can help. Using one or more of these resources, look to see where else you can learn about these places in the Bible, particularly the city where God told Jonah to go.
Read Jonah 1:1-3. Where and in what direction did God instruct Jonah to go? Instead, where and in what direction did Jonah head? (Hint: check to see if your Bible has a map or study notes that can help answer these).
How does the book of Jonah describe Nineveh and the people that lived there? (Jonah 1:2, 3:8b, 4:11, consider reading in the New Living Translation)
Read Nahum 3:1-4 (just two books past Jonah). How is Nineveh described by Nahum, another prophet called to pronounce judgment upon the wickedness of Nineveh in the next century?
God called Jonah to journey more than 500 miles northeast of Gath Hepher, Jonah’s Jonah’s hometown, to Nineveh, a major city of the Assyrians, and one of Israel’s most feared enemies. Instead Jonah fled in the opposite direction to Joppa, paid the fare and boarded a ship heading across the Mediterranean Sea to Tarshish.
3. 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
There was no need to explain the wickedness of Nineveh to the original audience, the nation of Israel. They already knew. Like Jonah, Israel would’ve been all for God’s judgement of the Assyrians. Although today some may at times struggle understanding God’s judgement in the Old Testament, we must learn to hear the message of the Bible the way the original audience would’ve heard it.
Does learning more about the wickedness of Nineveh help you trust the God of the Old Testament? In what ways?
4. APPLY - Express: What fears or concerns do you have about applying what you’ve learned?
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 or avoid the Lord?
5. RESEARCH - Observations & Questions: What observations or questions do you have? What stands out to you when you reread the passage?
One skill worth developing is the ability to make observations and ask questions - to read the Biblical text with curiosity. There’s quite a bit of irony throughout the book of Jonah. Keep an eye out for it as you continue reading Jonah’s story in chapter one.
What stands out to you when you read Jonah 1:4-16?
6. 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)?
7. 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)?
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)?
8. 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.
9. 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 may have been 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.
10. 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?
11. 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?
By revealing His power and authority over the wind and the sea, just as Jonah had claimed back in verse 9, the Lord invited the sailors to know Him and to give Him their allegiance and trust over all other so-called gods.
12. 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 was the Lord’s role in Jonah being swallowed by the fish?
13. 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?
14. APPLY - Yield: What personal, cultural, or religious bias and assumptions do you bring to the text? What do you need to surrender, if anything, to be in harmony with the Bible?
Many people today have an anti supernatural bias and question the existence of miracles, not to mention the miracles found in the Bible! And Jonah being swallowed by a large fish for three days and three nights and living to tell about it may be among the top of their list.
What bias and assumptions, if any, do you bring to the book of Jonah? What about miracles in general?
If miracles are possible, there is no reason not to believe that God could appoint a great fish to intervene for Jonah! Besides, this isn’t the only miracle that we find in the book of Jonah. It’s not even the only miracle in chapter one!
But let’s go ahead and explore a few other reasons why we can have confidence that the events found in Jonah actually happened as we wrap up Jonah chapter one.
15. CONTEXT - Bible: How does this passage fit into the big story of the Bible?
Both the Old and New Testament point to Jonah as a historical figure. In the historical Old Testament book of 2 Kings, Jonah was recorded as a prophet living at the time of King Jeroboam II in (2 Kings 14:25). And in Matthew 12:40 Jesus spoke of Jonah as a real person and being in a fish as a real event.
In Jesus’ day and culture miracles were more common and even sought after. When the religious leaders of the day demanded a sign from Jesus, He told them no sign would be given to them except for one.
Read Matthew 12:38-40. What one sign did Jesus say would be given?
The religious leaders knew Jonah, but they didn’t know Jesus. And Jesus knew that the many miracles He had done up to that point would not lead to their repentance (Matthew 11:20-24), nor would additional signs. The only sign they needed, and the greatest sign Jesus could possibly give them was yet to come - His own death and resurrection after three days in the grave, which He foreshadowed by recalling Jonah’s three days in the belly of a fish.
If Jonah was not swallowed by a fish, why would Jesus speak as if he had? Jesus had the opportunity to correct any error in the Old Testament, but He didn’t. The only “errors” Jesus corrected dealt with people’s interpretation of the Old Testament (e.g. Matthew 5), not scripture itself. Without some effort, and developing good study skills, we tend to read and interpret the Bible in a way that fits our worldview, as has commonly happened when it comes to the book of Jonah.
16. AUTHOR - Style: What literary style(s) did the author use and how should that affect the way you read this passage?
The genre of Jonah has been the topic of debate and one worth looking into because it affects the way we read and interpret the book.
An anti supernatural bias has caused some to believe that Jonah should be read as a parable or fiction instead of a historical account of what actually happened. Yet for thousands of years, Jonah has been accepted as and grouped amongst the prophetic writings of the Old Testament. Why would Jonah not be considered historical when the other 16 prophetic writings in the same collection convey historical prophets and real events?
That being said, Jonah is unique amongst the prophetic writings because it closely resembles the historical narrative writings, focusing more on the prophets actions than his words. The historical writings in the Old Testament tell us what actually happened, not what should’ve happened. They by no means paint the people in a picture of perfection, rather we can learn from their mistakes. Jonah’s many flaws are recorded for all to read throughout history. If Jonah were the author, as tradition has ascribed him to be, why would he make public his rebellion and disobedience (offering very little redeeming value)? Even if Jonah was not the author, and this account were mere fiction, whoever the author was would be guilty of slandering an otherwise well respected prophet of God!
Both historical and prophetic books of the Bible speak of events that actually happened (or will happen). Jonah represents both genres and thus should be read as a historical account.
How does understanding the literary styles of the book of Jonah help give you confidence in how you should read the book?
If this is your first time reading Jonah, you should be sitting on the edge of your seat. Jonah chapter one ends on a cliffhanger, as Jonah was thrown overboard and swallowed by a large fish. Already the story is rich in irony and unexpected twists and turns as God pursues the attention of his close-minded servant and displays his love for the open-minded sailors. The Lord’s sovereignty is on display in miraculous ways as we wait with anticipation looking for another miracle - the softening of a hardened heart.
Join the Chara Project team as they talk about what we can learn from studying Jonah 1 (also available as a podcast!).
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Podcast: How to Study Jonah
An Overview of Studying the Book of Jonah