Jonah 3:1-10

Jonah 3:1-10
With thanks to page sponsor 2015:
Rev. Terry Read
Community of Christ

Reading the Text:
- NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
- Hebrew Interlinear Bible, WLCv, WLC5, CHES, AV.
- The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
- The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Hebrew text with concordance, commentaries.
- The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons.
Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
- Chapter VII of The First Epistle to the Corinthians, Clement of Rome (ca. 96).
- III.XX.1, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
- II.17, II.24, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 208)
- IV.10, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 210)
- Chapter XXXII, On the Resurrection of the Flesh, Tertullian (c. 211)
- V.11, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 212)
- Rashi's Commentary, c. 1075. chabad.org.
- John Calvin's Commentary on Jonah.
  - "There is here set before us a remarkable proof of God's grace, - that he was pleased to bestow on Jonah his former dignity and honor."
- From the Geneva Notes.
  - "...the fruits of their repentance...proceeded from faith, which God had planted by the ministry of his Prophet."
- From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
  - "In prayer we must cry mightily, with fixedness of thought, firmness of faith, and devout affections. It concerns us in prayer to stir up all that is within us."
- From Wesley's Notes.
  - "[Nineveh] The greatest city of the known world at that day, it was then in its flourishing state greater than Babylon, whose compass was three hundred eighty - five furlongs, but Nineveh was in compass, four hundred and eighty."
- From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
  - "...arose and went--like the son who was at first disobedient to the father's command, "Go work in my vineyard," but who afterwards "repented and went". Jonah was thus the fittest instrument for proclaiming judgment, and yet hope of mercy on repentance to Nineveh, being himself a living exemplification of both--judgment in his entombment in the fish, mercy on repentance in his deliverance."
Contemporary Commentary, Studies and Exegesis:
- "Nineveh, that ****hold place," Melissa Bane Sevier, Contemplative Viewfinder, 2018.
- Thoroughly Fishy, The Strucutre and Organisation of the Book of Jonah, Obadiah and Jonah, 5 Minute Bible Podcast, Tim Bulkeley, 2015.
- Commentary, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Kathryn Schifferdecker, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2015.
  - "As you preach this sermon, you might ask your listeners to think of a person that they find difficult to love. (Be sure, of course, to make clear that they are not called to stay in abusive situations.) Then proclaim to them that God loves that person, and that God loves them, too."
- Commentary and Illustrration Ideas, Scott Hoezee, Center for Excellence in Preaching, 2015.
  - "Maybe we are not actively awaiting and licking our lips over the potential destruction of this or that group, but if certain types of people did come to us (as they are), would we generate the kind of joy over this one might wish for?"
- "Free Speech, Big Fish, and Calls from God," Karyn L. Wiseman, ON Scripture, Odyssey Networks, 2015. Video: 5 Things You Didn't Know About Free Speech Around the World.
- "The Town that Listened," Nikki Hardeman, Faith Elements, 2015.
- "Prophet Gone Bad," John C. Holbert, Opening the Old Testament, 2015.
  - "Whenever we read the Bible and use it to exclude, deny, and reject living creatures of God, there is Jonah."
- "Jonah's Blessing," Jan Richardson, The Painted Prayerbook, 2015. Use of images.
- Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2015.
- "A Terrible Love of Hatred," Alan Brehm, The Waking Dreamer.
  - "We share the terrible love of hatred that kept Jonah from rejoicing in the miracle of repentance and restoration wherever it happened. And yet, the joyful good news is that whoever or wherever we are, God is there, loving us, nurturing us, drawing us into the joy of God's life and love."
- "Jonah," sermon discussion from Frederick Buechner, Frederick Buechner Blog.
  - "It is one of the rare instances in the Old Testament of God's wry sense of humor, and it seems almost certain that Jonah didn't fail to appreciate it."
- Commentary, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Callie Plunket-Brewton, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2012.
  - "Jonah challenges the perspective of the righteously indignant to put aside moral superiority and take on the character of God, whose mercy is from everlasting to everlasting."
- "Five Words." Rick Morley, 2012.
  - "Who would you NOT want to see succeed?"
- "From Whom Do I Withhold Forgiveness?" Tim Good, The Naked Alien, 2012.
- "Prophet and Loss," Russell Rathbun, The Hardest Question, 2012.
- Commentary, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Beth Tanner, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
- Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
- "Give Jonah a Break," Rev. Todd Weir, bloomingcactus.
  - "We could berate Jonah for his lack of faith or courage, but it is more helpful to identify with him for a moment. He was given a mission impossible."
- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, The Old Testament Readings: Weekly Comments on the Revised Common Lectionary, Theological Hall of the Uniting Church, Melbourne, Australia.
  - "Like all serious comedy, Jonah speaks not to a world which would seek to gloss over its pain with trivialities. Rather it brings laughter into a world where serious voices, be they religious, political, economic, or military, would tell us why we cannot break the boundaries we have set up to keep others at a distance."
- Jonah 3:1-10, Commentary, Background, Insights from Literary Structure, Theological Message, Ways to Present the Text. Anna Grant-Henderson, Uniting Church in Australia.
  - "Phyllis Trible sets out the Book of Jonah in two symmetrical scenes: Jon 1:1 - 2:10 = Narrative of flight, strife and return: Jon 3:1- 4:11 = Narrative of mission, repentance and dissent (Trible:475, 491)."
- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Studies on Old Testament texts from Series B, Ralph W. Klein, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.
- Jonah 3: Study Notes. Detailed commentary and discussion, Tim Bulkeley, University of Auckland.
- Join the Feast, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Thomas W. Currie, Union PSCE, 2009.
  - "We would prefer that God were more silent, reclusive, distant. But God keeps intruding, calling us again and again to speak an impossible word."
- "Jonah's Mission," Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Lectionary Resource for Catholics.
  - "Is our faith narrow like that of Jonah or can we see others through God's eyes?"
Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
- Farmer, David Albert, "Between Text & Sermon, Jonah 3-4," Interpretation, 2000.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Ferguson, Paul, "Who Was the 'King of Nineveh' in Jonah 3:6," Tyndale Bulletin, 1996.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Goodhart, Sandor, "Prophecy, Sacrifice and Repentance in the Story of Jonah," Semeia, 1985.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Hauser, Alan J., "Jonah: In Pursuit of the Dove," Journal of Biblical Literature, 1985./
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Lawrence, Paul J.N., "Assyrian Nobles and the Book of Jonah," Tyndale Bulletin, 1986.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Lawson, Steven J., "The Power of Biblical Preaching: An Expository Study of Jonah 3:1-10," Bibliotheca Sacra, 2001.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Moberly, R.W.L., "Preaching for a Response? Jonah's Message to the Ninevites Reconsidered," Vetus Testamentum, 2003.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
Sermons:
- "Tickets for Tarshish," The Rev. Dr. William J. Carl, Day 1, 2008.
- "Jonah and the Whale," Sermons from Seattle, Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
- "When the God Repented," the Rev. William Carter, Day 1, 2000.
With Children:
- Worshiping with Children, Epiphany 3B, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2012.
- "Storypath Lectionary Links: Connecting Children's Literature with our Faith Story," January 25, 2015, Union Presbyterian Seminary. 2012.
- "Jonah and the Whale," Illustrating the Story (lessons, children's sermons), coloring pages, activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts.
- "God is Everywhere," Talks to Children, Rev. Donald McCorkindale, Dalgety Parish Church, Fife, Scotland.
- "A Fishy Tale," Steven Wilson, The Children's Chapel.
- "Nineveh Repents," children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian Center.
Drama:
- "Jonah" monologue, Ross Olson.
Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
- Images for this week's readings, Pitts Theology Library Digital Image Archive.
Hymns and Music:
- "The Terrible Sin of the People of Nineveh," a hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, recalls the story of Jonah. Tune: ASH GROVE 6.6.11.6.6.11 D ("Let All Things Now Living").
- Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
- Jonah
Movies representing the following themes:
Study Links and Resources for the Book of Jonah