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!).
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.
READ: JONAH 1:1-3
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?
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 popularity 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 glamorous and it wasn’t easy.
Jonah was told to preach against or 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!
This fact may bring a couple questions to mind, such as:
Why did Jonah disobey the Lord?
Why is Jonah included in the Bible (since he doesn’t seem to be a great example to follow)?
These are excellent questions. Hang on to these. We don't have enough information to answer them yet, but they’re worth pondering as you continue your study. Before we move on, let’s gain a little more historical context and see what we can learn about the author.
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 intended to flee, versus Nineveh, where the Lord called the prophet.
How does the text describe Nineveh? (Jonah 1:2, 3:3, 8, 4:11, consider reading in the New Living Translation)
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 3:1-7?
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
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 many of us flee for our lives! Yet as we continue reading we learn that Jonah was not afraid to die - in fact, we learn that he’d rather die than obey what the Lord had asked him to do! Has fear ever caused you to disobey the Lord?
READ: JONAH 1:4-17
RESEARCH - Observations & Questions: What observations or questions do you have?
As we dive deeper we begin to get caught up in the story. 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?
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)?
HISTORY - What worldview, cultural, religious, political factors and experiences were a part of their world and how did that influence them? What was their understanding of God at that time?
The sailors' actions in Jonah 1:5-8 suggest they held a common pagan worldview of their day - when misfortune struck it was because a god was angry. We see the sailors scrambling to figure out which god was angry and how to appease him.
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 might this news have impacted the sailors at this particular moment?
AUTHOR - Related Text: What is emphasized by comparing and contrasting the actions of the sailors with those of Jonah?
In a time of great distress, when lives were at stake, how did Jonah’s actions compare to the sailors. Here are a few places to look:
When the sailors cried out to their gods for help, what was Jonah doing (Jonah 1:5)?
In the raging storm Jonah was unconcerned about the sailors' lives, in contrast, what effort did the sailors do to save Jonah’s life (Jonah 1:5, 13)?
Who ends up praying to the Lord (Jonah 1:14)? Who should have?
APPLY - Reflect: What specific questions do you have upon further reflection of the passage?
Jonah knows he’s the reason for the raging storm and he tells the sailors to throw him overboard! Was there another option? A simpler one perhaps, like turn the ship around or pray that God would stop the storm!
What does Jonah’s instruction to the sailors in Jonah 1:12 tell you about Jonah’s attitude and heart?
The Lord’s prophet stopped listening and obeying His voice. And when those around him cried out to their gods in the thick of the storm, Jonah was silent - he did not cry out to his God to save himself or others. 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 people’s 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 someone who doesn’t share your faith to get your attention or accomplish His will?
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?
Even after watching Jonah flee his God, it was the great power of God that the sailors witnessed that brought them to worship and sacrifice to the Lord. How comforting is it that God can reach anyone anywhere, despite our many inadequacies?
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?
How does this understanding help you see God’s provision for Jonah even as he fled?
APPLY - Reflect: What specific questions do you have upon further reflection of the passage?
How have you seen God's hand in your own life, even when you fled in the opposite direction from him?
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