Biographical Study Worksheet-AY2223- PIeterse

Name: Etienne Pieterse Date: 22 October 2023 BIOGRAPHICAL STUDY WORKSHEET GATHER THE DATA: Character 1: Jonah Immediate Context Remote Context 2 Kings 14:25 A prophet of Israel 2 Kings 14:26 A prophet amidst a major affliction of Israel Jonah 1:1-2 Jonah sent to Nineveh by God 2 Kings 14:27 Israel saved through Jeroboam II the son of Joash Jonah 1:3-17 Jonah disobeys God and is punished by God by being swallowed by the big fish Jonah 2:1-10 Jonah repents and is delivered from his punishment Matthe w 12:40 Jonah serves as a symbol of Jesus resurrection (3 days and nights). Jonah 3:1-10 Jonah is brought to Nineveh and travels inland to bring the prophecy from God Matthe w 12:41 The people of Nineveh repented at Jonah’s preaching and Jesus is preaching to the Jews and they do not repent Jonah 4:1-11 Jonah is displeased by God’s mercy over Nineveh after their repentance and is angry unto death Matthe w 16:4 + Luke 11:29 Jesus scolds the Pharisees and Sadducees telling them there will be no sign except for the sign of Jonah (prophecy) Character 2: Ship Captain/Marines Immediate Context Remote Context Jonah 1:5 The marines were afraid when the storm arose and they called out to their gods Jonah 1:6 Wakes Jonah up from his slumber in the cargo hold when the storm started on the boat and tells him to call on his God to stop the storm Jonah 1:7 The marines cast their lots to see who was the cause of the storm and the lot fell on Jonah Jonah 1:8 They asked Jonah questions about his occupation and race and origin. Jonah 1:9 Jonah tells them he is a Hebrew and his god is YHWH Jonah The men were more afraid because

1:10 they knew who he was fleeing from Jonah 1:11 They asked Jonah what they should do Jonah 1:12 Jonah tells them to throw him overboard Jonah 1:13- 16 The men tried to resist then threw him overboard and then prayed and offered sacrifices to YHWH and made vows to Him. CONDUCT THE INTERVIEW: I. Reputation 1. God allowed Jonah to be mentioned because it demonstrates God’s character in His love and mercy and kindness and serves as a symbol for the later to come Jesus. II. Tests of Character 1. Jonah’s aims and motives were mainly focused on self preservation 2. Jonah responded to failure poorly and he was discouraged easily. 3. Jonah was not quick to praise God but was quick to be angry at God. 4. Jonah needed quick correction and was disobedient at first and even then was unhappy about doing so. III. Background 1. Jonah’s name can also be called Jonas. Which both mean “dove.” 2. Jonah’s occupation was as a prophet of God. 3. Jonah lived in Joppa. 4. Jonah is first seen under the service of God to King Jeroboam II and is later found in his name titled book to bring a prophecy to Nineveh. IV. Significant Events 1. Jonah was swallowed by a fish after disobeying God and he handled that well, but otherwise did not handle the situation well. 2. Jonah’s divine call were to prophecy to King Jeroboam II and to Nineveh and he responded well to King Jeroboam but poorly to Nineveh. V. Personality 1. Jonah was short tempered and possibly a smaller meek man. 2. Jonah was unfaithful and quick to anger and wished ill upon Nineveh. 3. Jonah’s particular sin was directly disobeying God’s orders to prophecy. 4. Jonah’s attitude towards life was to preserve himself and to do as he pleased. VI. Spiritual Life 1. Since he was a prophet he had personal encounters with God giving him direct orders. 2. God dealt with Jonah in a merciful and fatherly way to demonstrate his love and kindness. 3. He was not eager to do God’s will. ORGANIZE THE MATERIAL: Crisis: 1. Jonah sent to Nineveh by God (Jonah 1:1-2) 2

3. Jonah's personality is characterized by rage and fury. He grew enraged when God extended kindness to the people of Nineveh following their repentance, despite his desire for their destruction (Jonah 4:1-4). His impatience and dissatisfaction can be seen in his relationships with God. 4. Despite his early disobedience and resistance to God's commands, Jonah grows spiritually during his stay in the belly of the huge fish. He begs God for deliverance, repents, and recognizes God's sovereignty (Jonah 2:1-10). This shows a willingness to change and seek God's forgiveness. 5. Jonah's experiences, notably his three days and nights in the belly of the fish, are typically interpreted as a metaphor for Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection (Matthew 12:40). This gives his character more complexity by depicting him as a foreshadowing figure in biblical storytelling. 6. The character of Jonah serves as a reminder of human flaws and the complexities of faith. He had times of immense faith, as seen by his prayer inside the fish, but he also had moments of great doubt and outright disobedience. CHOOSE A PRIMARY PASSAGE: For Jonah: A primary passage that summarizes Jonah's character is found in Jonah 4:1-4 “ But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. So he prayed to the L ORD , and said, “Ah, L ORD , was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm. Therefore now, O L ORD , please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!” Jonah's inner struggle and moral dilemma are powerfully depicted in Jonah 4:1-4. His outpouring of rage in response to God's compassion for the people of Nineveh demonstrates a reluctance to accept God's all- encompassing love, as he originally desired their annihilation. His rage and desire to die rather than witness God's kindness in action represent the complexities of human emotions as well as the difficulties of aligning one's own will with God's divine plan. In this text, Jonah's character serves as a reminder of the delicate interaction between human imperfection and heavenly grace. For the Ship Captain/Marines: A primary passage that describes the character of the marines and the ship captain is found in Jonah 1:5 “ Then the mariners were afraid; and every man cried out to his god and threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea, to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down into the lowest parts of the ship, had lain down, and was fast asleep.” In Jonah 1:5, we see the marines gripped in terror as a furious storm rages around them. Each sailor's sincere prayer to their respective gods emphasizes the gravity of the situation. Their desperate decision to toss the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship indicates their desperation. In contrast, Jonah's apathy as he slips into a deep sleep sets the stage for the marines' rising concern and their eventual encounter with Jonah, which becomes a major component of the plot. OUTSTANDING LESSONS: Lessons from Jonah: 4

1. Jonah's initial hesitation to obey God's commands tells us about the implications of refusing our calling or responsibility. We all have our own plans and aspirations, but Jonah's story shows that surrendering to God's will can result in amazing results. 2. Jonah's rage and bitterness toward God's kindness on Nineveh serves as a warning about the devastating power of carrying grudges. It challenges us to examine our own hearts and let go of wrath and prejudice in favor of forgiveness and understanding. 3. Jonah's experience demonstrates the complexities of faith. He had profound moments of faith, such as his prayer within the fish, but he also experienced moments of doubt and disobedience. This reminds us that faith is not always easy and that God's grace may operate in our lives even when we are doubtful. 4. Jonah's experience in the belly of the giant fish demonstrates God's willingness to show mercy and give people a second opportunity. It demonstrates that even when we have strayed from God, we can turn to Him in repentance, and He is willing to forgive and guide us back on the right road. 5. The risks of preconceived beliefs and prejudices are reflected in Jonah's first prejudice toward the people of Nineveh. This serves as a lesson in our current world to approach others with an open heart and mind, regardless of our prior judgments or biases. Lessons from the Marines and Ship Captain: 1. The marines' reaction to the storm, screaming out to their gods, indicates the natural need to seek a higher force in times of danger. This inspires us to resort to our religion and seek heavenly direction throughout difficult times in today's world. 2. The marines' efforts to lighten the ship by tossing cargo into the water demonstrate the value of teamwork and cooperation in the face of hardship. This is an important lesson for modern society, emphasizing the power of togetherness and collective work amid difficult times. BIOGRAPHICAL SUMMARY: Jonah is a biblical prophet whose name is also spelled Jonas. He is well known for the events described in the Book of Jonah, a brief Old Testament book. 1. Name: Jonah (or Jonas), which means "dove." 2. Occupation: Jonah was a prophet of God, called to deliver divine messages and prophecies. 3. Hometown: He lived in or near the coastal city of Joppa, a port city in ancient Israel. 4. Service of God: Jonah is first referenced in the Bible as being in God's service during the time of King Jeroboam II, Joash's son. He was summoned by God to deliver a prophecy to Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire. 5. Reluctance: Jonah is infamous for his initial hesitation to obey God's instruction to go to Nineveh and warn against its evil. Instead, he attempted to evade God's call by boarding a ship bound for Tarshish and sailing in the opposite direction. 6. God’s Intervention: God sent a severe storm to endanger the ship Jonah was aboard during his effort to flee. The mariners on the ship learned that Jonah was the cause of the storm, therefore he was tossed overboard to preserve the ship and later swallowed by a large fish. 7. Repentance and Deliverance: While in the belly of the fish, Jonah repented and prayed to God. After three days and nights, he was miraculously delivered from the fish. 5