The Book of Jonah

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Oct 17, 2009
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#1
Does anybody have thoughts on the book of Jonah? Growing up I was always taught the story in the vein of learning obedience--you do what God says or he'll come after you, and you can't hide from Him.

This blog has an interesting take that doesn't contradict the traditional reading I've been taught, but rather makes a case that the main point of Jonah dwarfs the concern many preachers take from it. It argues that the main point is actually the character of God, and whether he cares about all people or just a chosen few.
A relevant quote:
We can choose the exclusive vision of Jonah the person, the view that says we alone are blessed and the rest of the world can go to Hell. Or we can choose the expansive, inclusive vision of the book of Jonah, the view that sees God as madly in love with the great city of Ninevah and indignant at the suggestion that there could be any such city, any person or beast, beyond the scope of that love.
 
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1Covenant

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#2
Does anybody have thoughts on the book of Jonah? Growing up I was always taught the story in the vein of learning obedience--you do what God says or he'll come after you, and you can't hide from Him.

This blog has an interesting take that doesn't contradict the traditional reading I've been taught, but rather makes a case that the main point of Jonah dwarfs the concern many preachers take from it. It argues that the main point is actually the character of God, and whether he cares about all people or just a chosen few.
A relevant quote:
I believe that Jonah does do exactly that, it preached to them at the time and to us the unchanging nature of what God was intending to bless the nations through Israel. There has always been a good news message to the gentiles but from Abraham, to Rahab, to Ruth, to those brought back out of captivity, and to Ninevah the evangelical door has only been cracked open.

Now..."indeed a greater than Jonah is here"
 
J

jcspartan

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#3
Spot on! Fundamental to seeing God's long term vision for humanity.
 
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