Verse Study- Pieterse

Name: Etienne Pieterse Date: 12 November 2023 Verse Study Worksheet SELECT THE VERSE(S): Verse(s) for study: Jonah 1:1-3 NKJV, ESV, NIV (NKJV) Now the word of the L ORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.” But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the L ORD . He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so, he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the L ORD . EXAMINE TRANSLATIONS: Formal Translation NKJV Formal Translation ESV Functional Translation NIV 1 Now the word of the L ORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 1 Now the word of the L ORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 1 The word of the L ORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.” 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil [ a ] has come up before me.” 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” 3 But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the L ORD . He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the L ORD . 3 But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the L ORD . He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the L ORD . 3 But Jonah ran away from the L ORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the L ORD . Similarities: NKJV+NIV use “Wickedness”, All use- word of the LORD Differences: ESV uses “evil”, NKJV- “cry” ESV-“call” NIV-“preach”, NIV says “ran away” NKJV+ESV use “flee to Tarshish” EXPLORE KEYWORDS: List and explore 3-6 key words from this verse(s): great/large/mighty/exceeding (gā ôl) ( ḏ לֹודָּג ): H1419, remote: 529x immediate: 14x wickedness/evil/grief (rā’ā ām) ( ṯ םָתָע ָר ): H7451, remote: 663x immediate: 9x cry/preach/call/proclaimed (qārā') ( א ָרָק ): H7121, remote: 735x immediate: 8x

EXPLORE CROSS REFERENCES: Explore 1-3 cross references: 1. 2 Kings 14:25 “He restored the territory of Israel from the entrance of Hamath to the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the LORD God of Israel, which He had spoken through His servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet who was from Gath Hepher.” a. Because Jeroboam II, a real man, is mentioned in both 2 Kings 14:25 and Jonah 1:1, there is a connection between them. A connection between Jonah and Jeroboam II is established by this cross-reference “… Jonah the son of Amittai.” It provides insight into the particular time period and circumstances surrounding the prophetic word mentioned in Jonah 1:1, giving Jonah's status as a prophet additional historical context. “…Jonah the son of Amittai, saying," opens Jonah 1:1. This cross-reference in 2 Kings clarifies the larger political and historical context in which Jonah's prophetic mission takes place. 2. Genesis 10:11 “ From that land he went to Assyria and built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah, and Resen between Nineveh and Calah.” a. Because both Genesis 10:11 and Jonah 1:2 mention the city of Nineveh, they are related. Nineveh, an Assyrian city, is mentioned in Genesis 10:11–12 as its founding. The relationship now resumes in Jonah 1:2 when God gives Jonah instructions. The cross- reference links Nineveh's historical background in Genesis with the city's subsequent relevance in Jonah's story, emphasizing the city's historical setting. It emphasizes how Nineveh has remained a significant city throughout biblical history and how God cares about its people, as the prophet Jonah demonstrates. 3. Zephaniah 2:13 “And He will stretch out His hand against the north, Destroy Assyria, And make Nineveh a desolation, As dry as the wilderness.” a. The mention of Nineveh in both Zephaniah 2:13 and Jonah 1:2 is a cross-reference. This passage from Zephaniah foretells Nineveh's destruction and prophesies against it. There's an intertextual link with Jonah 1:2, as God tells Jonah to go to Nineveh. The cross-reference emphasizes that, as other prophets like Zephaniah predicted, God's dealings with Nineveh take place within the larger context of the events of Jonah. By situating Jonah's mission within the broader story of divine judgment and prophecy regarding Nineveh's fate, it gives the mission more significance. EXPLORE LITERARY CONTEXT: Genre type(s): Narrative: Jonah 1:1–3 is a narrative because it tells a story in a sequential fashion rather than imparting beliefs or a set of rules. Characters, setting, and a sequence of events make up the narrative elements in this section. The main character, Jonah, is given a heavenly order to travel to Nineveh, but he decides to escape by boarding a ship that is sailing in the other direction. The narrative presents the cause-and-effect relationship between Jonah's transgression and its repercussions in chronological order. Because Jonah 1:1–3 is a narrative, it draws readers in and builds suspense and tension as the events take place. It challenges them to imitate the protagonist's decisions and the ensuing fallout. A realistic depiction of the human experience is made possible by the narrative form, which highlights character interactions, decisions, and feelings within a particular setting. 2

our will to His. The book shows God's concern for all nations by challenging exclusive viewpoints. It challenges us to see the bigger picture of God's redemptive plan and our responsibility to spread His message of grace. Nineveh's reaction to Jonah's message highlights God's willingness to forgo judgment and the possibility of repentance. It inspires us to accept forgiveness and give others that same hope. Jonah emphasizes how God is all-powerful and can use circumstances to further His goals despite opposition from people. Despite our limited comprehension, it serves as a reminder to believe in God's purposes. Things to Do (Repent, Believe, Grow, Love): Realizing the reach of God's mercy, actively try to comprehend and feel empathy for others who are not in your close social group. Consider your life and any situations where you may have resisted or disobeyed God's instructions. Work toward adopting a more submissive and accommodating mindset. Acknowledging the intrinsic value of every person, consciously face any biases or preconceptions that can prevent you from showing people compassion and mercy. Establish an environment in your life where you embrace and reject behaviors or viewpoints that keep you apart from God and other people. Recognize the transformational power of the gospel of God's grace and salvation in people's lives and actively share it with them via your words and deeds. Recognize God's authority over your life and the world and have faith that His purposes—despite their difficulties—are ultimately for your benefit and the benefit of others. PRAYER: Dear God, Thank you for divinely keeping your word intact for us to read later to learn from. In studying the book of Jonah please help me to remember that your purpose is greater than what I can see in front of me. Keep me from being judgmental or harsh towards others and remind me to be merciful and have your purpose in mind and be kind to everyone. In Jesus name, Amen RESOURCES USED: Omitted for information in past worksheets. 4