The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-04-09
SUNDAY MEDITATION.

Practical Duties Taught by a Study Of the
international sunday school Lesson APP
pointed for April 10, 1891. Jonah. ;I-I7.
Zone reading these notes should first carefully
study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures As
Indicated Rboyc.l
SUBJECT: JONAH PUNISHED FOR FLEEING
FROM DUTY.
]. Preliminary.
We are to have two studies from tho Book Of
Jonah IL is the 32d book of the Bible. the
10th Of the prophetic books Of the Old Tesla
ment, tho fifth of the smaller prophecies. 1t
has only four short chapters. Though brief,
IL has been the subject of much and very criti-
cal study. 1t has always been accepted by the
Jews as authentic and genuine Moreover,
they have constantly had great respect for il,
making il a rather favOrite study. The won
derlu story Of Jonah swallowed by a whale;
living in said whale three days, and then being
expelled on the third day, has subjected the
book TO much severe and sometimes unfair
criticism. IL must be allowed the incident IS
unique.
1t would seem Christ faresaw the prejudices
which would be stirred up by n reading Of the
book. and the possibility that, in the storm OF
higher criticism, there would DO a temptation
TO throw overheard that precious prophecy.
We thus NAV account for his rising 10 its de-
Tense and preventing its excision from the
sacred volume. He indorsed the Book Of Jo-
nah. quoting from it, and thus recognizing it
rs a history of facts tSee st. Matt, -: 80 Al
ST. Luke IL: Ia, %, 30, p; st. Mt, IL A. IL
is clear, therefore, that all ridicule of Jonah
and his peculiar three.days' experience is rs
serious a reflection on Christ as on the narrator
of Jonah's plight.
II was by the reading Of the prophecy of
Jonah along with ChTists recognition Of the
truthfulness Of the book, and specially by find
ing Christ's resurrection so akin to the story of
Jonah's occupancy of the whale that Cyprian
was converted TO Christianity.
2. Data.
The paragraph for special study Is Jonah,
l:I-I7 1t is supposed the account was writ
ten by the prophet himself There is some
thing admirable in the spirit Of Jonah. He
frankly cOnfcsses his own errors. Writing an-
Geographically. he covers none OF his faults
and sins We are reminded Of the Gospel writ
ers who make many admissions not eompli-
mentary 10 themselves.
3. Time
We date D. c. $50. Jeroboam H. began to
reign in that year, and continued until 78i b.
C., Al years. q XII, II: 23.) II was during said
reign that Jonah prophesied in Israel. 1t was
period when idolaiTy had full range. JerO-
boam, son Of Joash, WED with Jeroboam, son Of
Nebst, in violating tho second commandment.
u Hi, Il: 2L)
4. Places.
a. Jonah was sent TO Ninevah The word
Ninevah signifies the home Of Minus to wit,
Nimrod. lie founded the CITY. In Gen.
10: IL, we should render, He (Nimrod) went
forth and laid the foundations of Nineyah.
with 10: IL, CT. v. 81 Babylon was built
come years earlier. CuneifOrm inscriptions
recently deciphered show that both cities were
founded by descendants of Ham. H0rmuzi
Rassam made many important discoveries in
those regions The city was surrounded By
wall 100 feet high, with 1900 turrets or towers,
each 200 feet high. IL was said the wall was
30 wide three chaTiOts could be driven abreast
upon il. IL was IAN exceeding great city Of
three days journey" Jonah, 3: 81 The cir
eumference is put between 60 to 100 miles For
Jonah TO walk once about it required three
days time. Jonah, 4: IL, gives some intiIna-
ton as to population. IL we understand, by
those who could not discern between right
band and left. children, we may put the nhabit-
ants at 100000. By reforming the city was
spared in JOnah's time, but in COG b. c. il was
destroyed by Cyaxares.
b. Jonah resided at Gathhepher. e KI.,
IL 25.) II was in the land of Zebulon. Josh,
10: 49, ST. jerome put it two miles from Sep
phOrs on the way toward TibeTias. Ii WAS in
Galilee.
c. Tarshish. 1t Is thought we are to under
stand TaTtessus in Spain. God called Jonah
TO 20 East; he went West
d. Joppa. Ii was the great seaport Of Pales-
tine, about 80 miles from Jerusalem.