tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post2795920561797094512..comments2024-03-10T10:40:32.319-07:00Comments on Pyromaniacs: Jonah — model preacher?Phil Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649092052031518426noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-61501529050374448492008-06-18T20:25:00.000-07:002008-06-18T20:25:00.000-07:00"I've read or heard that one of Jonah's contempora..."I've read or heard that one of Jonah's contemporaries (Joel? Obadiah?) had prophesied that Nineveh would invade Israel. "<BR/><BR/>I believe you're referring to Zechariah 2:13.Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09456884689908680100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-53948179817153816302008-06-18T18:02:00.000-07:002008-06-18T18:02:00.000-07:00Thanks for the reminder. it's Gods Word that saves...Thanks for the reminder. it's Gods Word that saves "by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony" and they can even be on a tract right? I just read a book on hudson taylor and as a young man it told how he picked up a track and read it seeking God and that after years of exposure to the Gospel and Gods word He was saved.Jesus Is Coming Soonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06438186478092788818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-74553997780342251642008-06-18T14:31:00.000-07:002008-06-18T14:31:00.000-07:00Beautifully put Dan. Thanks.Beautifully put Dan. Thanks.jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03607371903891883498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-17958510283659744352008-06-18T06:34:00.000-07:002008-06-18T06:34:00.000-07:00But of course, Jonah was not at all happy. He was ...<B>But of course, Jonah was not at all happy. He was smoldering, ugly, angry at God;</B><BR/><BR/>There is a secret wish inside many of us to see God unleash his fireworks. For some it would be undeniable confirmation of the existence of the supernatural world, shoring up their faith. For others it would allow us to tell scoffers, "See, I told you so!" which is a joyful thing, on a human level. The personality of the deity which emerges in the book of Jonah is that he is very practical, and does not put a premium on killing.Teresitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05528002521904908827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-38862968695867569182008-06-18T05:08:00.000-07:002008-06-18T05:08:00.000-07:00I've read or heard that one of Jonah's contemporar...I've read or heard that one of Jonah's contemporaries (Joel? Obadiah?) had prophesied that Nineveh would invade Israel. Perhaps Jonah hoped that if the Ninevites were destroyed the prophecy wouldn't come true.Andrew Wheatleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03953311436839094480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-63230986811055590342008-06-17T21:59:00.000-07:002008-06-17T21:59:00.000-07:00I think we need to put things in perspective and a...I think we need to put things in perspective and at least get an understanding of why Jonah responded the way he did. Chad, and rightly so, because of children present in service mentioned just a general statement that the Ninevites were wicked but he said he would not go into detail of the kinds of acts they did.<BR/><BR/>I will just mention one detail since we're mostly adults. Ninevites were known for such atrocities as ripping open a mother's womb and ripping the unborn (almost to be born child) and throwing him/her up and spearing the unborn child for play practice.<BR/><BR/>So, I don’t think Jonah was doof, but he was understandably sickened and repulsed by the fact that the Lord would forgive such atrocity. There have been some pretty sick and disgusting atrocities committed in the 20th century – Hitler, Stalin, Mae Zedung, Kim Jong Il, and I’m sure I’m wrong on this one, but the one that probably comes closest to what the Ninevites did was the massacre that happened in Rwanda.<BR/><BR/>Now, I suppose there were some Christians that ministered and proclaimed the gospel to these Rwandans, and imagine how difficult it would be.<BR/><BR/>I take another lesson from Jonah in addition to what has already been mentioned in the post– and this is only helpful to those that understand that the history of the Ninevites - You want to know how ugly and disgusting sin is in the world? Read about the Ninevites. I also heard a story about some abusive parents taken their daughter ‘s face and meshing it in dung. So, the lesson here is oh, that’s how unimaginably ugly and disgusting my “white” sins never mind the real “serious” ones are to the Lord. The lesson is also the unimaginable grace that the Lord has. <BR/><BR/>I think the other lesson also is that Jonah, I guess, didn’t completely understand the infinite gravity of his sins nor the infinite grace from God it took to forgive him.CRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01912897040503058967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-40259488082861498122008-06-17T20:03:00.000-07:002008-06-17T20:03:00.000-07:00Funnily enough, as I read this post I thought of C...Funnily enough, as I read this post I thought of C.S. Lewis and his "Apologist's Evening Prayer." <BR/><BR/><I>From all my lame defeats and oh! much more<BR/>From all the victories that I seemed to score;<BR/>From cleverness shot forth on Thy behalf<BR/>At which, while angels weep, the audience laugh;<BR/>From all my proofs of Thy divinity,<BR/>Thou, who wouldst give no sign, deliver me.<BR/><BR/>Thoughts are but coins. Let me not trust instead<BR/>Of Thee, their thin-worn image of Thy head.<BR/>From all my thoughts, even from my thoughts of Thee,<BR/>O thou fair Silence, fall, and set me free.<BR/>Lord of the narrow gate and the needle's eye,<BR/>Take from me all my trumpery lest I die.</I><BR/><BR/>Lewis wrote this after some evenings at the Socratic Club when he felt he did particularly badly at defending the faith. I know I've felt at times like I've blown a sermon, only to find out later that some were really blessed. We really have to leave it in His hands.Solameaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09869424956571944997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-20526084658920731162008-06-17T18:54:00.000-07:002008-06-17T18:54:00.000-07:00I have done some preaching, and my first sermon, w...I have done some preaching, and my first sermon, was on Jonah, in which I observed almost the exact same things, ending with this observation.<BR/><BR/>Since Jonah did a demonstrably lousy job and got the results he got, anyone could have done what Jonah did, God had prepared Nineveh to receive the message. As Mordecai said to Esther, if you don't do it, help will arise from somewhere else.<BR/><BR/>Jonah was sent because God needed to tell JONAH something. Nineveh was already a foregone conclusion.Hugh McBrydehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16926516260588481185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-24995262653524460532008-06-17T17:55:00.000-07:002008-06-17T17:55:00.000-07:00Hello, Dan and kim from hiraeth:Okay, thanks to yo...Hello, <I>Dan</I> and <I>kim from hiraeth</I>:<BR/><BR/>Okay, thanks to you both, I now understand Philippians 1:15. <BR/><BR/>My pea brain just could not get it; people were preaching Christ to get Paul into trouble (scratching head), but the man still maintained a godly attitude. Wow.<BR/><BR/>More insight gathered as well from the wisdom contained in Romans 15:4. I can even learn from Jonah's attitude!<BR/><BR/>God's word and those "clay jars" as yourselves that He uses continue to amaze.dickkopfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10705513063366020296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-66400199269510732982008-06-17T16:48:00.000-07:002008-06-17T16:48:00.000-07:00That's pretty good; thanks!(c:That's pretty good; thanks!<BR/><BR/>(c:DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-14441610239943692902008-06-17T16:33:00.000-07:002008-06-17T16:33:00.000-07:00I have been blessed by Matthias Media in Australia...I have been blessed by Matthias Media in Australia and found the comments on their blog to be dealing with a similar type question while reflecting on Nehemiah's preaching style. I thought you might enjoy:<BR/>http://solapanel.org/article/<BR/>hair_pulling_a_new_pastoral_method/Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04012030591818212289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-21477721058532495672008-06-17T13:06:00.000-07:002008-06-17T13:06:00.000-07:00Are you my conciser sock-puppet?You don't say much...Are you my conciser sock-puppet?<BR/><BR/>You don't say much, but you do make it count!DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-29899968674422329332008-06-17T13:03:00.000-07:002008-06-17T13:03:00.000-07:00I just realized that Jonah is "Bullhorn Guy".I just realized that Jonah is "Bullhorn Guy".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-11137511583808002712008-06-17T12:55:00.000-07:002008-06-17T12:55:00.000-07:00"It's comforting yet disconcerting all at the same..."It's comforting yet disconcerting all at the same time."<BR/><BR/>Amen. I've lost count of the number of times, when looking at my own life, that I need to remind myself of what Luther once said to Melancthon. "Melancthon, your salvation is entirely outside of yourself." Thank God it is, else I'd fit more justly into the group that Nahum preached to rather than those Ninevites Jonah preached to.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-33520570154148149452008-06-17T12:16:00.000-07:002008-06-17T12:16:00.000-07:00It's comforting yet disconcerting all at the same ...<I>It's comforting yet disconcerting all at the same time. Jonah's Ninevites repented and were saved; Nahum's did not and were destroyed. What a mystery</I><BR/><BR/>Nicely put. If we did "Comment of the Day," this would be a nominee.DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-62643214371874423392008-06-17T12:13:00.000-07:002008-06-17T12:13:00.000-07:001. Kim said: "As long as the true gospel is bein...1. Kim said: "As long as the true gospel is being proclaimed, the preacher's attitude is not what is important. It is the content of the message. I'm sure that Paul would rather have had those men preaching from a sincere and loving heart, but he still rejoiced that the Gospel was proclaimed in truth."<BR/><BR/>Well said, Kim. For the preacher's own sake, though, I hope he does have a good attitude. Kinda reminds me of Dan's BIG announcement on his blog. He mentioned there that one of his friends had once given him the advice that if he could do anything else other than preaching, then he should do it. The cool thing about this seemingly "unspiritual" advice is that it's well thought-out and biblical (see 1 Tim 3:1). The DESIRE has to be there. It would be tragic for the preacher if he dosen't have the "fire" in him (however calm his temperament may be). Perhaps this is why some pastors end up burning out.... <BR/><BR/>2. Daryl said: (Just imagine the result if the Ninevites ignored Jonah because 'his heart just isn't right')<BR/><BR/>Divine sovereignty vs. human responsibility--which is it? The answer, of course, is, "YES." And yet even after all these years I still struggle with the issues of election and providence. It's comforting yet disconcerting all at the same time. Jonah's Ninevites repented and were saved; Nahum's did not and were destroyed. What a mystery.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08289347868497438542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-36792164504519196692008-06-17T11:07:00.000-07:002008-06-17T11:07:00.000-07:00Jonah as a preacher? I never heard that exposition...Jonah as a preacher? I never heard that exposition before but your post made me think. Thanks.CSBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14590529257898046077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-89568829840115032052008-06-17T09:54:00.000-07:002008-06-17T09:54:00.000-07:00J.E. is Dan's Home Boy! :DJ.E. is Dan's Home Boy! :DChosenClayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05223903620505081145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-20128144215822672322008-06-17T09:19:00.000-07:002008-06-17T09:19:00.000-07:00In my new practice of reading the picture captions...In my new practice of reading the picture captions, I have this to say:<BR/><BR/>Edwards-hater!<BR/><BR/>:o)Mike Riccardihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06748453197783538367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-46107558214799407062008-06-17T06:58:00.000-07:002008-06-17T06:58:00.000-07:00Further to my last comment. Was Jonah "authentic"?...Further to my last comment. Was Jonah "authentic"?<BR/><BR/>I"m pretty sure not, he wanted 'em all dead.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-32212690437115317452008-06-17T06:56:00.001-07:002008-06-17T06:56:00.001-07:00Chris — I want to say that you should preach Jonah...<B>Chris</B> — I want to say that you should preach Jonah, you'd have a whale of a good time, but I won't.<BR/><BR/>What leaps to mind are R. K. Harrison's <I>Old Testament Introduction</I>, and Gleason L. Archer Jr's <I>A Survey of Old Testament Introduction</I>. Here away from my library, that's what I've got in mind.DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-52417791040399960702008-06-17T06:56:00.000-07:002008-06-17T06:56:00.000-07:00Great post Dan and great comment Kim. Better a tru...Great post Dan and great comment Kim. Better a true representation of God's Word, that the preacher doesn't like or doesn't believe, than the most heart-felt exposition of some unbiblical thought.<BR/><BR/>Moral of the story (for me, for now) don't get caught up in the preacher, his sincerity or what I think of his style, hear the word preached and do/believe what it says.<BR/><BR/>(Just imagine the result if the Ninevites ignored Jonah because 'his heart just isn't right')Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-83056383100811628292008-06-17T06:42:00.000-07:002008-06-17T06:42:00.000-07:00I've been wanting to preach from the book of Jonah...I've been wanting to preach from the book of Jonah for a while now. What resources/authors would you recommend that have really done justice to the book of Jonah whether it is commentary, historical background or any other tools one might use during sermon preperation. Thanks.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09045435425352838499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-25493407486402458472008-06-17T06:39:00.000-07:002008-06-17T06:39:00.000-07:00Truly an encouraing post in this personal season o...Truly an encouraing post in this personal season of discouragement. Thanks again.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09045435425352838499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-22760497381604284682008-06-17T06:27:00.000-07:002008-06-17T06:27:00.000-07:00Great post. I really like the story of Jonah.Great post. I really like the story of Jonah.candyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06088593538648596769noreply@blogger.com