Useful Bible Studies > Jonah Commentary > chapter 3

Jonah waits for God to direct him

Jonah 3:1

After Jonah’s experiences at sea, he probably returned to his home in Gath Hepher, which was in northern Israel (2 Kings 14:25). There he stayed as he prayed for God to guide him about his future work for God. It may be that several years passed before the events in Jonah chapter 3.

Jonah did not try to go to Nineveh until God spoke to him about this matter for a second time. That fact may surprise some readers of the book. God had originally given Jonah clear instructions to go to Nineveh (1:1-2). It was Jonah’s decision not to obey God that caused the troubles in chapters 1 and 2. Now, at last, Jonah had firmly decided to obey God. So, we may ask why Jonah did not go to Nineveh at once.

The answer is that Jonah could not depend on his own thoughts about the right thing to do in this matter. He had to make sure that he really was obeying God. To do something without a clear instruction from God is not to obey God. So, Jonah waited for God to speak his word – that is, his message. Only then was it right for Jonah to go to Nineveh. Until then, Jonah had a duty to be humble towards God and to wait for that word of command.

So, Jonah’s situation was like Israel’s people in Numbers 14:39-45. God had sent them to the land then called Canaan, which he had promised to them. However, when they received a bad report about it, they refused to obey God. They even wanted to return to Egypt, from which God had rescued them. That brought God’s judgment against them. So, against God’s command, they decided instead to go to Canaan at once. Moses warned them not to do it, but he could not stop them. So, they went towards Canaan, but they suffered a bad defeat in battle. God would not permit their families to enter Canaan for another 40 years.

Next part: God's second message to send Jonah to Nineveh (Jonah 3:2)

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