He Has been Here

He has been here as a babe,
   God’s own beloved Son.
Of a Virgin He was born –
   Behold it was done.

He has been here as a child,
   Whom the wise men came
To see and to worship –
   Jesus was His Name.

He has been here as a Lad.
   In Temple He was found.
Learned doctors He amazed –
   With wisdom profound.

He has been here as a man,
   Plying ever day
His skill as a Carpenter –
   That was God’s own way.

He has been here as Teacher
   Wisdom all divine.
Was displayed in each lesson.
   His words were sublime.

He has been here as Redeemer,
   On the cross He died,
Suffering sorrow and shame,
   For us crucified.

He has been here–Wondrous God.
   His glory was seen.
He will come soon again,
   With beautiful Queen.
–Mary M. Bodie

WE HAVE REDEMPTION

Jack Davis

“In whom we have redemption  through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” – Eph. 1:7

THE POSSESSION

“We have redemption” – Oh, what a blessed element of divine enrichment! Our apostle Paul writes of this as our precious, present, personal possession. This has become ours by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This possession contains for us prospects that are most promising.

THE PRICE

“Through his blood” – This expression tells us what it cost to give us redemption. This is of the greatest value to both God and man.

“They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (for the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever) that he should still live for ever, and not see corruption” – Psa. 49:6-9.

How could any one estimate what great value God placed upon His beloved Son? “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down at the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool” – Heb. 10:12-13. “…by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us” – Heb. 9:12. Our redemption is not of that which is corruptible, I Peter 1:18-19, but of that eternal person of Jesus Christ, “…who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption’ – I Cor. 1:30.

THE PARDON

“The forgiveness of sins” – Thank God, He was totally satisfied, when Jesus paid the full penalty on the cross, purchasing our freedom from the guilt of sin. Jesus speaking to His disciples said, “…this is my blood…which is shed for many for the remission of sins” – Mt. 26:28. Paul wrote, “…without the shedding of blood is no remission” – Heb. 9:22. Glory to God, we are acquitted of our sin, because Jesus poured out His precious life blood in payment of ransom that righteous justice demanded. Praise God, we who were sold under sin, in sin’s slave market, have been set free, released for payment of ransom. Oh, what marvelous grace!

THE PROVISION

“According to the riches of his grace” – Only by the Holy Spirit can we comprehend the merit and measure of such marvelous provision. How can divine forgiveness be measured? Certainly not by such poverty as our goodness. How great is my sin? Am I not guilty of the death of God’s beloved, sinless Son? Is not God’s grace as great an any, or all my sin? Oh, Yes, it is greater than all my sin. How else could one measure redemption, what worth, what works, on whose merit? How much can we do to earn it, gain it? How much must we do to retain eternal redemption? Let us ever rejoice, accepting our Father’s figures, that our redemption is only and ever merited on such measureless wealth as the “riches of his grace.” 

THE POSITION

“…wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved” Eph. 1:6. Where could we find a greater degree of acceptance with God? Has God accepted our Redeemer? Has He ever said of Jesus, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased?” Where could you purchase a greater, better or safer standing? He has redeemed us to make us kings and priest unto God. Are here higher credentials to the throne of the universe? Thank God, we may know our position “in Christ.” Are we using this access? Are we drawing on this exhaustless account? If not, WHY NOT?

THE PRAISE

“To the praise of the glory of his grace…” To whom does the praise belong for our redemption? To whom will it go for eternity? Who are we giving the glory to now?

“O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy.”

“Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders” Psa. 107:1-2,31-32.

Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forger not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s” Psa. 103:1-5. 

A Child Is Born-A Son Is Given

Anita Clark – Pastor, Carbondale, KS

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” Isa. 9:6

This is a marvelous verse of prophecy of Jesus both as a human baby and as God’s Son. It shows both His divine nature and His human nature. The scripture above states, “a son is given.” He was born as a babe as every other human, yet given as God’s only begotten Son, the gift of God to the sinful world. John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” These two facts (“a child is born, a Son is given) are key to “Peace on earth, good will to men” Luke 2:14.

In Isaiah 7:14 Isaiah prophesies, “Therefore the LORD Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel” This title means, “God with us.” All these names are needed to express Jesus’ full identity of who and what He would become. Therefore, “the child” became, “The Wonderful Counselor,” “The Mighty God,” “The Everlasting Father,” showing His absolute deity, and the unity with the eternal Triune Godhead, then “Prince of Peace.” Only Jesus can bring peace to the hearts of individual men, and bring world peace to this troubled world. In Colossians 2:3 referring to Christ it states, “In Whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” and “For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” Col. 2:3,9.

Heb. 10:5,7 says, “Wherefore when He cometh into the world, He saith, Sacrifice and offering thou (God the Father) wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me...Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.” This is quoted in the New Testament from Psalms 40:6-8. Jesus Christ fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah which would come to earth.

John 1:18 refers to the “bosom of the Father” as the place where Jesus was before His condescension to the earth to become a human. When He came to earth He gave up that place with the Father to be born as a babe, grow into a perfect man, die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and the third day was resurrected! This hideous death by crucifixion of Jesus Christ was the will of the Father planned eons before the world was ever created.

Because of the perfect obedience of the Son of God to His Father God, the plan of salvation came about for all the human race. In John 10:17, Jesus says, “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may might take it again” of course referring to the resurrection which took place three days after His death.

As John 3:16-18 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already; because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” So, believing in Jesus as our Savior is much more then just believing in baby Jesus born of a virgin, born in a manger. We must believe in the Christ of the cross to be saved from our sins and receive eternal life. This is the complete plan of God for each person to be saved from sin and receive eternal life and live a life of victory through Him! This complete plan brought “Joy To the World.” and “Peace On Earth” which will come when Jesus Christ comes again.

You

Jesus saith  unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. John 21:22

My father often said to me “you worry about yourself and let me worry about your brother.” That is not something easy for a child to understand, and yet even most adults seem to struggle with this concept. I have often heard my heavenly Father speak similarly to me. I need to be reminded that I am not responsible for what my brother does, but I am responsible for how I respond to God’s calling on me.

Scripture is pretty clear about the individuality of God’s work. While we are certainly one body in Christ, and a part of the family of God, each one of us has a responsibility for how we respond to God’s Word and to the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Jesus spoke to Peter to call him to feed His sheep. Peter got caught up considering another disciple and Jesus spoke to him, “what is that to thee? follow thou me.” Our natural tendency is to look around at others and compare ourselves to them. Whether that be, “I’m so much better than so and so” or “Why should I follow God’s Word when so and so doesn’t and they seem to get away with it.”

God is not working to make us like so and so, He wants to work in your life and in my life to make us each like Jesus. My desire should not be to “get away with it like so and so”, it should be to be changed from glory to glory in the image of Jesus.

Paul realized this important concept and was careful to not compare himself with others. “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” 2Corinthians 10:12

We also would be wise to realize that God wants to work individually in our lives as well and allow that work to proceed. Regardless of who is watching and what others are doing, we can “work out our salvation with fear and trembling” Philippians 2:12. This does not mean that we work for our salvation or for our sanctification, but it puts for an individual responsibility for the work that needs to be done in our lives. The very next verse makes it very clear that God is the one that does the work.

In the third chapter of Philippians, Paul speaks clearly about his personal, individual desire to become more like Jesus and to win the prize of the high calling, which is Jesus Himself. While this is intended to call to each of us, Paul was set for himself to pursue God’s best.

Often we want to make others change their lives, and surely this is a good desire, but we must realize that we are not able to change others or to make them want to change. However, if we are allowing God to work in our lives, then others will see and be encouraged. But, they must make the choice themselves to pursue God’s best in their life.

What is that to you? You follow me. That is the call from Jesus.

Gordon Crook

JESUS FOR ME

Gary Giddings, Sand Lake, Michigan 

Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:13-14). Take this personally: Jesus is for me. He laid His life down for me and He invites me to be His friend. The song “Wounded For Me” (written by W.G. Ovens and Gladys Westcott Roberts) describes five different things that Jesus did for me in five verses.

v.1 Wounded for me, wounded for me,
There on the cross He was wounded for me.
Gone my transgressions, and now I am free.
All because Jesus was wounded for me.

Isaiah 53:5-6 - “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

The prophet Isaiah wrote this 700 years before Christ came to earth. What does it mean to be wounded? According to the 1828 Webster Dictionary, a wound is “A breach in the skin and flesh; caused by violence or external force; to hurt by violence.” Jesus, The Word of God made flesh, was wounded for me. He bore the judgment for my transgressions.

v.2 Dying for me, dying for me,
There on the cross He was dying for me;
Now in His death my redemption I see,
All because Jesus was dying for me.

Romans 5:6-8 - “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

According to Apostle Paul, Jesus died for the ungodly and the sinner, and that was you and me. This was the plan of God that Jesus would die on the Cross for us. He became our substitute so that our sins would be washed away, making us right with God. Now we can know and enjoy God’s presence and we will never to be banished from Him!

1 Corinthians 15:3 - “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;”

What does it mean to die? Death is when the spirit leaves the body. Death, according to the 1828 Webster Dictionary: “(1) To be deprived of respiration, of the circulation of blood, and other bodily functions, and rendered incapable of resuscitation … either by natural decay, by disease, or by violence; to cease to live; to expire; to decease to perish; (2) to be punished with death; to lose life for a crime, or for the sake of another.” Jesus didn’t die for His own sins because He never sinned. He died for my sins.

v.3 Risen for me, risen for me,
Up from the grave He has risen for me;
Now evermore from death’s sting I am free,
All because Jesus has risen for me.

Luke 24:5-7 - “And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”

Certain women went to the tomb but Jesus’ body wasn’t there. The angels told them that Jesus had risen from the dead. Risen, according to the 1828 Webster Dictionary: “(23) To be revived from death.” Jesus told His disciples that He would rise again on the third day. Anybody can say the words, but Jesus backed up His words with action. Death could not hold Him in the grave and He arose victorious over death!

v.4 Living for me, living for me,
Up in the skies He is living for me;
Daily He’s pleading and praying for me,
All because Jesus is living for me.

Jesus is doing something NOW on our behalf. He is doing something that greatly helps us along the way. He is interceding for us to God the Father.

Romans 8:33-34 – “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”

To intercede, according to the 1828 Webster Dictionary, “(2) To mediate; to interpose … to act between parties with a view to reconcile those who differ or contend … (3) to plead in favor of one.”

We need Jesus to intercede for us because we don’t always follow through in our commitment. Jesus is our Advocate when we sin (1 John 2:1). We confess our sins and we are forgiven (1 John 1:9).

v.5 Coming for me, coming for me,
One day to earth He is coming for me;
Then with what joy His dear face I shall see,
O how I praise Him – He’s coming for me!

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 - “And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.”

Jesus is coming to take us home. He is preparing a place for us in heaven so that we can be with Him forever. “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming” (1 John 2:28). Let Jesus be everything to you and He will help you to be ready for His coming.

Jesus was wounded for me, Jesus was dying for me, Jesus has risen for me, Jesus is living for me and now Jesus is coming for me!

We have found that life is “Jesus for me.” This is our contentment, our joy, our peace when we open up to the love of Jesus. In every moment of every day, let it be Jesus for me because Jesus is for you!

THE WILL OF SATAN

Part 3 of 5

Carson Richards

Not All wills are good wills. Isaiah 14:12-14, “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” So the very beginning of the fall of this intelligent, beautiful creature, was the “I will.”

From that purpose comes another great part of his sinful nature, “emulations.” The big seventeen marks of the flesh in Gal. 5:19-21 has one of them, this emulation. It simply means competition based on incessant ambition. This creature, then, has instilled the principle of competition in the heart of men, his dupe. Notice how that will persists throughout life from the earliest manifestation of human will in childhood to the very last gasp. The child wants a better toy than another; the old person wants more attention than the one in the next chair. Always you must compete with another human being, for the enemy has put that way into his will that he has imposed on the lesser creature, man. We have to follow suit in some sense to exist but, be that as it may, it is the very antithesis of love which thinks of the other person. You must exceed, not just excel, you must win, win, win, or despair sets in. So our wills are influenced by this part of the Satanic will, in this world.

After this vying with God, other products came forth in the will of this tremendous creature. John 8:44, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own (will or disposition): for he is a liar, and the father of it.” So Jesus characterized him in three ways: murderer, liar, and lustful or ambitious. The presentation of the devil as a murderer is primary, so he must put that will in man.

Another word for murderer is destroyer. The name, “Apollyon,” in  Rev. 9 means “destroyer.” In other words, the unmitigated, dogged intent to destroy everything in his way is the killer instinct. Again, this arises in the lower creature, humanity. Notice how that in every activity of the world: sports, politics, science, even religion (or primarily, religion) this killer instinct is dominant. I worked with a fellow who said one day, “That son of mine will succeed in the world, he has the killer instinct.” He said that he, himself, did not. For curiosity, I asked him if he thought that I did, and he said, “No, and you haven’t got very far, have you?” There is that great slant on this great being.

Next, “liar,” Luke 4:5-8, “And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, showed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” I remember a brother saying, “That is not so, for the devil is a liar.” That fits in with the truth spoken by Nebuchadnezzar when he said that God gives the kingdoms to whomsoever He will. You can’t have it both ways. So he lies in this big way with a big man, as Jesus is.

To us, as little people, he makes big promises. I remember another brother telling how the devil would use a man and then drop him. We see that all over in what happens to big people in prominent places. You  see, his will is to lie. What did he tell  Eve? “You shall not surely die.” Did she? It wasn’t ‘surely not,” but “surely.” If each of us could recount all of our spiritual experiences, you will find he has lied to us. Sometimes about seemingly good things, sometimes fearfully bad things, to come.

Then his lusts; he has “blind ambition” as the fellow characterized an expresident in a book, Lust, though narrowed down to the one human relation as men are prone to do with words, really  means an insatiable desire of any sort. To have something you don’t have; to do something you are not doing; and there is never an end point of satisfaction, only a temporary weakening. A millionaire wants another million. A scientist wants the next great discovery. The athlete wants the next crown. The adulterer wants another partner. This master of evil plants unanswerable intensity of evil in mortals. What a will!

Jesus spoke in John 8:44, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do…” However, not all who follow lusts in religion are youthful. The first mentioned passion above, “emulations,” is a strong passion, to out do others in religious endeavor. The gospel says, “in honor preferring one another.” It says the law was fulfilled in one word, “thou shalt love thy neighbor as they self.” Even good words become a matter of competition.

Ephesians 2:2, shows the evil of Satan as to his will, that is greater than that of men. “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.” We are born into a world wherein Satan’s will is imposed on all. John in his epistle says, “the whole world lieth in wickedness,” or better, “the wicked one.” He has control of the way things are run. If so, on man accumulatively, what can one person do? Satan’s will is tenacious, pernicious, salacious and malicious. Sounds frightening – I intend it to do so. Tune in next month, and the Lord willing, and hear of another will, God’s will, our only recourse!

JONAH

Debra Isenbletter – Pastor

Christian Assembly, Springfield, Missouri

Introduction: Many have wondered if the book of Jonah is simply a parable, an allegory or actual history. Jonah is mentioned during the reign of Jeroboam II. He is acknowledged as an actual prophet and one of his prophecies as coming to pass. (2Kings 14:25) Jesus spoke of Jonah as a real prophet and the events in the book of Jonah as actual events. (Matthew 12:39-41). When Jesus spoke of Jonah, He not only spoke of his prophecy concerning Nineveh and their repentance but shows that Jonah’s experience in the belly of the great fish itself was a prophecy that pointed forward to His death and resurrection. Jonah is listed as one of the minor prophets in the Old Testament and all those prophets are acknowledged as real, they lived, they prophesied, they were each given unique messages and ministries. Jonah’s ministry is just as unique and so is his message.

What is truly unique about Jonah is those that he was sent to minister to, the Gentiles and the great city of Nineveh. What is also unique about Jonah is the success of his ministry. They believed what he said, they repented before God and they were spared. No other prophet had that type of success. According to history prior to Jonah’s visit to Nineveh several events happened that could have prepared their hearts to listen to his message. The plague of 765 B.C.; the eclipse of the sun in 763 B.C. And a second plague in 759 B.C. The Lord did not send Jonah before these events, He sent him after these events, it could be that these things occurred for this reason, to reach the hearts of these Gentiles.

Ryrie Bible Note: There are at least seven miracles recorded in Jonah. 1) The calming of the sea before the sailors lost their lives (Jonah 1:15). 2) The provision of the great fish and the preservation of Jonah in the fish (Jonah 1:17). 3) The vomiting of Jonah upon dry land (Jonah 2:10)—Jonah not only survived being swallowed, but survived three days and when vomited up, need up on dry land, not the sea. 4) The preparing of the vine (Jonah 4:6). 5) The worm (Jonah 4:7). 6) The wind (Jonah 4:8). 7) The salvation of the people of Nineveh (Jonah 4:10).

We need to see by faith that it does not matter how impossible things seem to be, what matters is that with God all things are possible and nothing is impossible. What matters is that God is sovereign. What matters is that Jonah was a servant of God. What matters is that we are servants of God and whatever He asks us to do, we are to do it in faith, even though we may not understand why, even though we may not want to. By faith we serve Him. By faith we see He enables us. Jonah was walking by sight, not by faith, he was walking according to his will and not God’s will. He is an example for us. He is an example of Israel’s failure in their calling. He is an example of God’s grace in action.

Warren Wiersbe says this is about Jonah’s attitude, that Jonah had a wrong attitude about the Will of God; the Word of God and the Love of God.

I believe the lesson that Jonah learned is the same lesson that we all need to learn. Whatever our calling or ministry, however the Lord leads us, however impossible the task may seem, we trust the Lord. We can learn to understand, to accept and to surrender to the Will of God, walk in obedience to the Word of God and as we do this, we find that we are able to show the Love of God.

Outlines for Jonah:
(Ryrie) Jonah Fleeing (Ch1)
Jonah Praying (Ch2)
Jonah Preaching (Ch3)
Jonah Learning (Ch4)

(Wiersbe) – 1st Outline
1. Resignation (resigns his office) (Ch1)—The Lesson in God’s Patience.
2. Repentance (Ch2)—The Lesson in God’s Pardon.
3. Revival (Ch3)—The Lesson in God’s Power.
4. Rebellion (Ch4)—The Lesson in God’s Pity.

(Wiersbe) – 2nd Outline
God’s Patience with Jonah (Ch1)
God’s Mercy toward Jonah (Ch2)
God’s Power through Jonah (Ch3)
God’s Ministry to Jonah (Ch4)

(Phillips)
The Word of God (1:1-16)
The Word with God (1:17-2:10)
The Word for God (3:1-10)
The Word about God (4:1-11)

Chapter 1:1: Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,


We see Jonah’s call as a prophet. he is called to speak “the word”, whatever the Lord tells him. He is called as a prophet to do this, only a prophet can do this. This is his office. This is his responsibility. This is the proof that he is a prophet. When “the word of the Lord came unto” Jonah, the word was clear and understandable and he knew Who it was from. The Hebrew for “word” means “speech, utterance,” a “communication” or “counsel;” a “decree or commandment.” In those meanings we see the different ways and different tones that the Lord uses when He speaks. For Jonah this was not only a “communication” from the Lord, it was a “commandment” from the Lord. When the Lord speaks, the servant listens. Eli told little Samuel how to answer God when He spoke: “Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth.” (1Sam.3:9)

It is the word “of the Lord”—The One who speaks is Jehovah, it is the word of the “Lord.” It is the word of the “self-existent one.” It is the word of the “eternal one” who reveals Himself and He is revealing himself to Jonah and to Nineveh through His Word. If Jonah obeys that revelation becomes vocal, it becomes visible, it becomes real to those he speaks to. The next thing we see is that this word “came unto” a specific person, to Jonah. It came to him Personally, it came to him Privately. We don’t know where Jonah was. We don’t know when this was. But the fact that the Lord spoke to Jonah, gave him a message tells us that he was a prophet. There is only one other place in the Old Testament where Jonah is mentioned, (2 Kings 14:25). There he is called a “servant” of God and a “prophet” of God.

“Jonah”—Jonah’s name means “a dove” (JB Jackson, Hitchcock, Easton) —What a wonderful name and description of him. In the “dove” we see the Spirit of God and the Peace of God. We see Jonah’s Anointing by the Spirit in his name, it is the name his father gave him. We see the potential and power of Jonah’s Message in that name, it was to restore peace between God and Israel/Man.

“the son of Amittai”—We see Jonah’s Father, he is “the son of Amittai” which speaks of the Truth. Amittai means: “truthful; faithful” (Jackson); “true” (Easton/Unger); “true, fearing” (Hitchcock). The foundation that everything Jonah says rests on is “truth.”

It is interesting that in 2 Kings 14:25 is an added description of the “word of the Lord.” It is the word of the Lord God of Israel, there we see God’s relationship to Israel. The call of Jonah to preach and the message he gave was specifically for Israel. In Jonah it is: “the word of the Lord” and Israel is not mentioned because the message is for the Gentiles, for the city of Nineveh. In both instances it is the Lord (Jehovah) that speaks and the meaning is still the same whether it is to Israel or the Gentiles. To Nineveh He is the Lord (the “self-existent One who reveals Himself”). He does this through His Prophet but He is the God of Israel not the Gentiles. The Gentiles must learn of God through Israel. This is what God wanted the nation to do, they were to be His light to the Gentiles.

In 2 Kings 14:25 Jonah is called God’s Servant: “his servant” and “the prophet. In “his servant” we see Jonah’s Subjection. In “the prophet” we see Jonah’s Power. Maybe he thought it was easier to be the Lord’s servant when he was speaking to Israel and harder when speaking to the Gentiles. But in each instance, he was still the Lord’s “servant.” Sometime those He calls forget that part of their calling. The Apostle Paul never did. He was always the “servant (bond-slave) of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jonah’s father’s name is given (Amittai) but also Jonah’s birthplace is given (Gath-hepher) which means “wine-press of the well.” There is a double meaning to that name that speaks of opposite experiences in Jonah’s life. A “wine-press” can speak of a Place of Suffering and “well” can speak of a Place of Refreshing. This is a true description of what every “servant” of God will experience when they are obedient. It is a picture of the Valley and the Mountain top experiences in our lives. The place Jonah was born was in Galilee (5 miles from Nazareth).

We see the similarity to Jesus, who was raised in Nazareth and who ministered in Galilee. Nathaniel asked, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (Jon.1:46). Jesus ministered in Galilee and the Pharisees stated that “out of Galilee arise there no prophet.” (John 7:52). They were wrong, they forgot Jonah was from Galilee in their attempt to belittle Jesus and deny His calling and ministry.
To be continued