THE PROPHET JONAH
The first mention of the prophet Jonah is found in 2 Kings 14:25. It reads,
He (Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel) restored the territory of Israel from the entrance of Hamath to the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the Lord God of Israel, which He had spoken through His servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet who was from Gath Hepher.
You might say, “what difference does it make?”
It is significant because it locks Jonah into a certain time and place in history. God always thinks this is a big deal, see Acts 17:26-27.
There are two other prophets that are his contemporaries, locked into the same time and place. They are Amos and Hosea. We know much about them because of the books named after them in the cannon of scripture.
A brief survey of the three prophets:
AMOS
Amos was a shepherd who lived in Judah, but was sent to preach to the much more powerful and cultured kingdom of Israel. His message was one of doom and destruction.
In chapter 7 Amos intercedes for Israel because God showed him how great the judgment and destruction would be.
Amaziah was the priest of Bethel. His reaction to Amos’ prophecy shows us that his message is despised among the leadership in Israel.
Amos 7:12-13 reads,
12 Then Amaziah said to Amos: “Go, you seer! Flee to the land of Judah. There eat bread, and there prophesy. 13 But never again prophesy at Bethel, For it is the king’s sanctuary, And it is the royal residence.”
Amaziah told Amos to go earn your daily rations in Judah and prophecy there. His prophecies are not welcome in the much more cultured Israel and Bethel.
Amos’ response to Amaziah’s insult acknowledges there are no prophets in his family lineage, basically accepting other men are probably better suited to the office of a prophet.
He also admits his humble status as a shepherd, but includes he also has a vineyard of fig trees. He is nothing but a laborer.
Amos continues talking to Amaziah saying, You think my living conditions are bad? Here is God’s Word to you as per verse 17.
17 “Therefore thus says the Lord: ‘Your wife shall be a harlot in the city; Your sons and daughters shall fall by the sword; Your land shall be divided by survey line; You shall die in a defiled land; And Israel shall surely be led away captive from his own land.’ ”
Amos was telling him his family relationship would deteriorate, his wife would become a prostitute, his family lineage would come to an end, nothing would remain of his vast estate and he would not even be buried in his beloved country. As for Israel the land would would belong to another country.
I would say “Don’t insult the man of God!” No matter what his humble state may be.
HOSEA
God told him to marry a prostitute. This woman was the worst of the worst. In this prophetic book God explains his great love for Israel. Yet Israel would prostitute herself, choosing idolatrous relationships over faithfulness to God.
Israel is an unfaithful prostitute that knows nothing of virtue and faithfulness to Holy God even though He does everything He can to have a proper relationship with her.
I feel great pity for the prophet Hosea and the heartbreak he experienced in his marriage to such a vile woman.
JONAH
We know Jonah very well. He is the most famous of these three prophets.
God told him to go preach in the Assyrian capital city of Nineveh. He also showed him that his message would be widely accepted there. Revival was coming to this pagan city and Jonah was to be the catalyst to make it happen.
Jonah did everything he could to keep this country from experiencing revival.
Of these three prophets Jonah had the best conditions and the best response to his message. And yet he was the biggest jerk. He actually thought he had a right to choose who should experience revival and who should be condemned.
THE GREAT COMMISSION
As Christians obedient to the Great Commission it is our responsibility to preach the message of salvation to all nations. We must help them understand and follow the teachings of Christ. And there must be evidence of their obedience to Him.
Father God, help us be faithful to your calling on our lives.