The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1930-09-18
Lesson for September Fl
JONAH: THE MARROW NATIONAL
IST REBUkED

ISt n6OON6O
LESSON TEXT-Jonah S:1-5,10; 4:1-
II.
GOLDEN TEXT-And Peter opened
his mouth, and said, "Of a truth /
perceive that God is no respecter of
persons: but in every nation he that
feareth him, and worketh righteous
ness. is acceptable to him.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Gods Love for
All the World.
JUNIOR TOPIC-God's Love for all
the World.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
Ic-What Is True Patriotism?
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
C-Patriotism and World Brother
hood.
: In teaching this lesson 1t will be
necessary to sweep into view the en-
tire Book of Jonah.
!. Jonah's Call and Commission (Ch.
IL, p.
Jonah, Jew, was called to go and
preach repentance to Gentle city.
(Gen. 1871, p. The story Of Jonah
graphically portrays the history of
Israel as a nation. God separated Is
rael to be the channel through which
his mercy and salvation are to be car
ried to all nations. They, like Jonah,
have been recreant to duty. Because
Of this, God has caused them to be
swallowed up by the nations which
will one day spew them out upon dry
ground-Palestine. After severe chas-
tisement, they will discharge their OBJ
legation, and the nations through their
ministry will repent and turn to God.
i n. Jonah's Flight From Duty Il ~.
He turned his back upon God and
attempted to flee from his presence.
In the same way Israel has become an
apostate people.
!, Ill. Jonah's Correction Il :4-2 :10).
I. Overtaken by storm ". ~.
Trouble soon came upon the disobe-
dent servant of God So with the
Jews, misfortune after misfortune
have overtaken them because they
turned from God. They are now tossed
about by the surging of the nations.
2. Cast overheard ". 15).
In their perplexity the sailors cast
lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah. Ac-
cording to his own direction they cast
him overheard. God had prepared a
great fish which swallowed him.
8. Jonahs deliverance och. p.
Jonah in his affliction turned to God
and prayed (James 5:13). God mirac-
ulously preserved him while in the
Ill ~ Al, eel, ho hac
lousy preserved Israel in the heart
of the nations. The fish could not
digest Jonah, neither can the nations
digest Israel. Jonah repented while
in the fish. So Israel will repent as
they 60 into the great tribulation. God
made the fish to vomit out Jonah. SO
he will at the proper time cause the
nations to cast out Israel.
~. Jonah's Commission Renewed
Och. 81.
His experience made him willing to
do Gods bidding.
1. His field ". 81.
He was to go to Nineveh, large
city, the people of which were cruel.
Israel's field is the Gentle nations.
2. His message ". ~.
He was instructed to preach the
preaching" commanded by God. Forty
days were given to the people in
which to repent. Gods supreme desire
is that all should repent (II Peter
S:9). This message represents the
heart of God in his dealing with sin
ners.
8. Repentance of the Ninevites wv.
5-S).
(D They believed God ". 81.
They believed that God was speak
ing to them through Jonah about their
sins. and was announcing impending
Judgment.
(2) They proclaimed fast wv. 5-S).
The king and people Joined sincere
~ in this movement. They put on
sackcloth, the sign of penitence.
(3) They reasoned that God would
repent ". 81.
The sending to them Of prophet
encouraged them to believe that God
would show mercy if they repented.
v. Jonah's Behavior (Jonah 4:1-11).
1. He repines at Gods action wv.
1-3).
He now makes known the real rea-
son for his flight from duty. BE knew
that the gracious God would spare the
people who repented. The treatment
Of the Israelites at the hand of the
Nineyites was such that Jonah did
not want God to forgive them. We
have here case of a preacher of re-
pentance mortified when the people
repent and are pardoned.
2. God reproves Jonah wv. 4-11).
By means Of the gourd God showed
him his error. This closing scene af-
fords a striking example of the pa
thence and pity of God in contrast
with the hard-heartedness of man.
Our Religion
Our religion is, indeed, a thing be-