Scriptural Highlights

• Jonah is called to preach to Ninevah, but runs away.
• The people of Ninevah respond to Jonah's message and repent.
• Micah prophecies of the mission of latter-day Israel.

Jonah Called To Preach To Ninevah

1. Historical Background.
• Time frame:
• Jonah's mission: about 788 BC.
• He probably lived during the early reign of Jereboam II of Israel.
• He prophesied to the nation of Assyria (also to Israel, but not mentioned in the Book of Jonah).
• Many Bible critics consider the story of Jonah to be an allegory or a parable.
• Jesus said that Jonah preached repentance to Ninevah (Luke 11:29-32) and that the episode in the whale was a sign of Christ's own death and resurrection.
2. READ JONAH 1:1-3. Jonah flees his mission.
• WHY DID THE LORD WANT JONAH TO GO TO NINEVAH?
• WHY DO YOU SUPPOSE JONAH WAS RELUCTANT TO GO TO NINEVAH?
• It was a city of great wickedness and violence (see Nahum 3:1-5).
• WHY DID JONAH FLEE TO TARSHISH?
• "...to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD" (1:3).
• Sidney Sperry: "A call on a mission - and direct from the Lord! But it was no surprise to the prophet to be called, for he had probably carried out many missions for the Lord in Israel before. His surprise lay not in the fact of the call but in the kind of call, and rebellion arose in his heart. It was a call to go to Nineveh, 'the great city' of Assyria, and preach to its heathen inhabitants, for their wickedness had come up before the Lord. . . .
       "Jonah was torn between his loyalty to God and the whip of his emotions. The latter were at a fever pitch and in the end determined his actions. Because he couldn't face the mission call, he determined to flee the country and get away from the unpleasant responsibility. He did not intend to lay down his prophetic office; he merely wanted to absent himself without leave for a time until an unpleasant situation adjusted itself." (Voice Israel's Prophets, pp328-29)
• HOW MIGHT WE SOMETIMES TRY TO HIDE FROM THE LORD?
• Consider these possibilities from the Old Testament Student Manual (2:100):
• A person who refuses to accept a call in the Primary because she would not be able to attend Relief Society meetings.
• A young man who turns down a mission call so he can accept a scholarship from a university.
• A family who does not hold regular family home evenings.
• A person who gets behind on his bills and does not pay his tithing.
• A young women too shy to accept a call as a Young Adult Relief Society teacher.
• WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF OUR EFFORTS TO HIDE FROM THE LORD?
3. While Jonah was sailing to Tarshish a great tempest came up and threatened the ship (1:4).
• All those in the ship gathered to cast lots to find who it was that brought evil upon the ship. The lot fell upon Jonah (1:6-7).
• Jonah explained the reason for the tempest and said, "Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you" (1:12).
• The crew of the ship was hesitant to throw Jonah overboard, but eventually were forced to take action because of the continuing tempest. When they did so, "the sea ceased from her raging" (1:13-15).
• "Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights" (1:17).
4. "Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly" (2:1).
• While Jonah was in the belly of the fish he had a change of heart. Consider a few of the words of his prayer:
• "I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple" (2:4).
• "When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple" (2:7).
• "But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD" (2:9).
• "And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land" (2:10).
5. This was a tough way for Jonah to learn that the Lord is serious about his commandments. And yet the Lord was merciful in that he put Jonah in a situation that would humble him and provide the opportunity to repent.
• IN WHAT WAYS DOES THE LORD HELP US TO REPENT AND RETURN TO HIS WAYS?
• When we disobey the Lord, we may set up a chain of circumstances that can humble us. If we are honest in heart, then these circumstances should provoke us to repent, as did Jonah.
6. During his earthly ministry, the Savior spoke about the "sign of the prophet Jonas" or Jonah (Matthew 12:39).
• WHAT IS THIS SIGN AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
• Elder Bruce R. McConkie: "Our Lord refused to give the wicked and adulterous Jews any sign proving his divine Sonship, except the sign of Jonas (Jonah). This was that 'as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.' (Matt. 12:38-41; 16:4.) Thus Jonah's burial in and coming forth from the 'great fish' (Jonah 1:15-17; 2) symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, so that 'as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.' (Luke 11:29-30.) By repenting and believing Jonah, wicked Nineveh was saved; by repenting and believing Christ, the wicked Jews could have freed themselves from sin. And the miracle of the resurrection, symbolized by the sign of Jonas, stands as a witness against them that they rejected their God." (Mormon Doctrine, p711)
7. Missionary Service:
• President Spencer W. Kimball: "When I ask for more missionaries, I am not asking for more testimony-barren or unworthy missionaries. I am asking that we start earlier and train our missionaries better in every branch and every ward in the world. That is another challenge--that the young people will understand that it is a great privilege to go on a mission and that they must be physically well, mentally well, spiritually well, and that 'the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance.'...
       "The question is frequently asked: Should every young man fill a mission? And the answer has been given by the Lord. It is 'Yes.' Every young man should fill a mission." (Ensign, Oct. 1974, pp7-8)
• Jonah was commanded by the Lord to go to Ninevah and preach repentance. Like Jonah, the young men of the Church have been called by the Lord to go into the world and preach repentance.
• WHAT ARE SOME OF THE REASONS WHY SOME ABLE YOUNG MEN CHOOSE NOT TO SERVE MISSIONS?
• There are a variety of excuses used by young men for not serving a mission such as school, academic and athletic scholarships, jobs, girl friends, and even sin. These are only excuses or symptoms. I think the real reason is the lack of testimony and commitment to the Lord. He who is truly committed to the Lord is willing to sacrifice whatever he must to give missionary service.
• Elder Charles A. Callis: "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has grown great in service and sacrifice. This Church will always be a missionary church, and its glorious work will be performed in a spirit of service and sacrifice. Sacrifice will bring forth the blessings of heaven." (CR, Oct. 1925)
• Elder David B. Haight: "In behalf of the Brethren, this is a call for retired couples to seriously consider serving a mission. we desperately need more couples to help meet our needs.... Less than 50 percent of the requests for couple missionaries from [our] mission presidents are being filled....
       "The Brethren hope that many, many more couples will make themselves available for full-time service to the Church. The need is great! Hundreds of thousands of new members join the Church each year, and they need to hear a friendly voice of support and comfort from experienced members.
       "The refrain, 'I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord' should be more than a hymn we sing on Sunday. It should be our own prayer of faith as we serve wherever the Lord has need of us." (Ensign, Feb. 1996, pp7,12)
• While on my mission in eastern Oklahoma, I had the opportunity to work with a missionary couple from Pleasant Grove, Utah. They were a wonderful blessing to the local branch. As young missionaries we were primarily in the business of seeking out prospects and teaching them the gospel. This older couple was able to pick up where we left off. They continued to teach and fellowship new members. They worked with inactive members. They were a wonderful resource to those holding various positions throughout the branch. I learned of the tremendous blessing such couples bring to an area. The need is great.
• Though older couples have not been given the same commandment to serve as the young men of the Church, according to Elder Haight, each retired couple needs to prayerfully consider missionary service. Like the young men, couples can also come up with reasons for not serving. Many of those reasons can be overcome if there is a willingness to do whatever the Lord asks. Yes, it is a big sacrifice to leave a comfortable home, the relaxation of retirement, chances for travel, and the companionship of grandchildren.
• HOW CAN WE BE MORE VALIANT IN OBEYING THE LORD AND SHARING THE GOSPEL?
• It is important that we establish an attitude of missionary service in our homes. I was blessed to grow up in a family with a legacy of missionary service. Missionary service was talked about and from my earliest memories I always expected to go on a mission. My great-great grandfather, Heber C. Kimball, opened the British Mission and served on many other missions. My parents had pride in this legacy and often talked about this great man.
       My father served on a mission to Texas during the Great Depression. He was asked to stay out an additional year because of the great need for young elders. It was a sacrifice for dad to give up another year of his life and a sacrifice for grandfather to come up with the additional funds. My older brother served a mission to England. My grandmother served two missions after the passing of her husband. Grandma often talked of her missions and the importance of the work. I often remember her reminding me to sit up at the dinner table and have proper manners because we wanted to always set a good example to those with whom we came in contact.
       When it came time for me to go on a mission, the Vietnam War was raging and the Church had a quota system. Because of that, my mission was postponed for six months. But there was still no question, that I would serve. About that same time, my father was operated on for cancer and laid up for several weeks. The bishop asked my dad if I would still be able to serve. My dad responded that his operation had nothing to do with my missionary service. He said that if I wanted to go on a mission, I should go and he would make sure I had the money needed to stay in the field. My dad continued to help each of the grandchildren that wanted to serve on missions with financial support. Dad passed away last year, but knowing that he might not live long enough to see my son serve, he gave us money to bank for his mission.
• I have been blessed with the missionary spirit in my home. We need to pass this legacy on to our children. We need to talk of the importance of the work. We need to share stories of those whose lives have been touched by missionary service. We need to invite the full-time missionaries into our homes. As parents, we need to set the example for our children, and make plans and talk about the mission we will serve when we retire. Like Jonah, we are heading out into a society as wicked as Ninevah. But there are those who will repent and accept the gospel. We must prepare ourselves to serve.

The People of Ninevah Respond To Jonah's Message

1. "And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying, Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee" (Jonah 3:1-2).
• Jonah learned his lesson "and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD" (3:3).
• He preached repentance and warned the people of their destruction (3:4).
2. HOW DID THE PEOPLE OF NINEVAH RESPOND?
• READ JONAH 3:5-9. The people repent.
• Anciently, people clothed themselves in a coarse cloth, called sackcloth, and sat in ashes to show they were humble and repentant.
3. HOW DID THE LORD RESPOND TO THE ACTIONS OF THE PEOPLE?
• "And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not" (3:10).
• JST: "And God saw their works that they turned from their evil way and repented; and God turned away the evil that he had said he would bring upon them."
4. HOW DID JONAH RESPOND WHEN THE LORD FORGAVE THE PEOPLE OF NINEVEH?
• "...it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry" (Jonah 4:1).
• "Here Jonah demonstrated a second problem: a weakness of character. He pouted because the people did repent and God turned his wrath away. Jonah was so upset that he wished he were dead. Though he had repented of his desire to escape the call of the Lord and went to Nineveh, Jonah had not substatially changed his attitude toward the Gentiles." (Old Testament Student Manual 2:100).
5. The Lord then gave Jonah an object lesson to teach him that God loves all his children and desired to show mercy to the repentant people of Nineveh (see Jonah 4:4-11).
• Brother LeGrande Davies: "Jonah's perception of his mission was different from the Lord's and he tried to force his ideas on the Lord. He wanted to destroy the people of Nineveh, but God forgave them. In the midst of Jonah's rebellion, the Lord introduces a kikion tree, to grow up, shelter and protect Jonah from the heat of the sun, for which Jonah is very grateful. But in the night a worm eats out the inside of the plant, and when the sun comes up and the hot east winds or 'death winds' off the deserts blow, it withers and dies. To Jonah's distress God then asks, 'Are you so angry over the kikion?' 'Yes,' Jonah answers, 'I am very angry about it.' The Lord replies, 'You are sorry for the kikion but you didn't have any part in growing it. It is a plant which came in the night and withered in the night, and why should not I be sorry or feel concerned for the great city of Nineveh?' (Jonah 4:6-11)." (Religious Studies Monograph Series, Isaiah and the Prophets, 10:93)

Micah Prophesies

1. Historical Background:
• Time frame:
• Micah's mission: about 740-697 BC.
• His mission began during Hosea's and extended some years beyond it. He prophesied to both Judah & Israel.
• Israel (the northern kingdom) taken captive in Assyria in about 721 BC.
• Contemporary Prophets:
• Hosea.
• Isaiah.
• Brother Duane S. Crowther: "Micah is a product of the open hills and shows dislike for the cities. As a member of the oppressed peasantry he speaks for the common people and defends them against the nobles and rich landlords of Judah. He is primarily an ethical and religious teacher and shows little knowledge or interest in political matters." (Prophets & Prophecies of The Old Testament, p282)

1. Micah prophesied about the destruction of Israel and Judah.
• READ MICAH 1:2-9. Destruction of Israel & Judah.
• HOW WAS THIS PROPHECY FULFILLED?
• Israel (Jacob) taken captive by Assyria in 721 BC.
• Jerusalem destroyed & Judah taken captive by the Babylonians in 587 BC.
• Micah, like Hosea, pointed out the sins of Israel & Judah and prophesied the judgments which would come upon them. Unlike Jonah and Ninevah, the people failed to heed the words of the Lord and their destruction was made sure.
2. READ MICAH 5:2. The birth of the Savior prophesied.
3. READ MICAH 2:12. The remnant of Israel to be gathered.
• HOW IS THIS PROPHECY BEING FULFILLED?
4. READ MICAH 4:6-7,11-13. Israel to be gathered & made a strong nation.
5. READ MICAH 5:8-9. The remnant of Israel to be like a lion.
• Elder Bruce R. McConkie: "These words of our Lord to the Nephites are quoted from Micah 5:8-9 and have reference to the desolations and ultimate burning that shall destroy the wicked at the Second Coming. Except for a few who are the humble followers of Christ, the Gentiles will not repent. They will revel in their abominations and sin against the restored gospel, and they will be burned by the brightness of our Lord's coming while the righteous -- here called the remnant of Jacob -- shall abide the day. And then, in the prophetic imagery, it will be as though the remnant of Israel overthrew their enemies as a young lion among the flocks of sheep." (The Millennial Messiah, p248)
6. READ MICAH 6:6-8. What does the Lord require?
• This really sums up what is required of us.

Summary

The story of Jonah is an interesting story about the importance of doing missionary work. The Lord will see to it that his work goes forth. Our responsibility is to accept his call and preach the gospel wherever and with whomever we have the opportunity. It is a great work and we live in a day when the ancient prophecies are being fulfilled. We can be part of that fulfillment.

Next Week

Lesson 34: Hosea 1-3; 11; 13-14

Additional Reading: The remainder of Hosea