In the Old Testament
Outline: the book of Jonah
prepared by David Churchill

Background about person of Jonah (Jonah 1:1; 2 Kings 14:25; Joshua 19:13)
     A. son of Amittai, prophet from Gath Hepher (if from Gath Hepher, then probably from the tribe of Zebulun)
     B. God spoke through Jonah concerning the return of some land to Israel

Outline of book of Jonah (option: go to study outline of “Jonah Syndrome”)
Chapter 1
     1-2  “the word of the Lord” instructs Jonah to proclaim His message to city of Nineveh.
     3  Jonah disobeys & tries to flee from presence of the Lord.
     4-9  God sends a storm to slow down Jonah.
     10-16  Sailors reluctantly throw Jonah into the sea to stop storm.
     17  Lord prepares fish to swallow and to keep Jonah for three days and three nights.

Chapter 2
     1  Jonah prays to God.
     2-7  Jonah acknowledges his bad situation, that God has answered his prayers, and that God has rescued him.
     8-9  In contrast to idol worshipers who forsake God, Jonah promises to express thankfulness and to “pay what I have vowed.”
     10  God commands the fish to release Jonah onto dry land.

Chapter 3
     1-2  “the word of the Lord” again instructs Jonah to proclaim His message to the Ninevites.
     3-4  Jonah obeys by going to Nineveh and proclaiming God’s message.
     5-9  Nineveh’s people and king repent.
     10  God recognizes Nineveh’s repentance and turns back from destroying the city.

Chapter 4
     1  Jonah is displeased and angry about the change in the situation.
     2-3  Jonah complains to God.
     4  God questions Jonah’s attitude.
     5-8  God creates and destroys a plant to teach Jonah a lesson.
     9-11  God again questions Jonah’s attitude and tries to reason with him.

(option: go to study outline of “Jonah Syndrome”)