His Servants' Ministry

We do not copyright anything. All material on this web site is here to provide free Biblical information. Anyone may freely use any or all the information present, to honor and glorify our awesome Triune God. All material here must remain free to "whosoever."

<><><><><><>

Last Days Prophecy

HIS SERVANTS' MINISTRY

www.lastdaysprophecy.org

Welcome to our website

Gospel Briefs on Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah and Jonah

HOSEA
Hosea 1:1 identifies the author of the Book as the Prophet Hosea. It is Hosea’s personal account of his prophetic messages to the children of GOD and to the world. Hosea is the only prophet of Israel who left any written prophecies which were recorded during the later years of his life.
Date of Writing: Hosea, the son of Beeri, prophesied for quite some time, from 785 to 725 B.C. The Book of Hosea was likely written between 755 and 725 B.C.
Reason for writing: Hosea wrote this Book to remind the Israelites . . . and us . . . that ours is a loving GOD who is loyal to His covenant people. Even though Israel constant turning to false gods, GOD’S steadfast love is portrayed in the long-suffering husband of the unfaithful wife. Hosea’s message is also one of warning to those who would turn their backs on GOD’S love. Through the symbolic presentation of the marriage of Hosea and Gomer, GOD’S love for the idolatrous nation of Israel is displayed in a rich image in the themes of sin, judgment and forgiving love.
Brief Summary: The Book of Hosea can be divided into two parts: (1) Hosea 1:1-3:5 is a description of an adulterous wife and a faithful husband, symbolic of the unfaithfulness of Israel to GOD through idolatry, and (2) Hosea 4:1-14:9 contains the condemnation of Israel, especially Samaria, for the worship of idols and her eventual restoration.

The Book of Hosea, is "the Prophecy of Hosea the Prophet." It is one of the twelve 'lesser' or 'minor' prophets, so called, NOT because their words were of less value, credit or authority, than the other 'major' prophets; but are called 'minor' because of the lack of the many or 'much words' of the 'major' prophets. Sometimes a 'few' words can reach a person much quicker than a very lengthy record.
The Prophecy of Hosea, is one of the many great Books of the Bible; this man, Hosea, was a very remarkable Prophet. I am like some commentators who do not like the classification of the prophets as Major and Minor. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE PROPHETS, were called by GOD, to do as He told them to do, and each one DID the LORD'S bidding by obedience to Him. Whether they wrote a long prophecy or not, each individual was quite an outstanding man. Neither Elijah or John the Baptist, ever wrote anything; yet they were TRUE prophets of GOD.
Nearly all the messages of the writing prophets belong to the period of the "divided kingdom" (1 Ki.11:9-13; 12:16-20). When the kings failed, GOD then raised up prophets to speak to the nation for Him.
In the time line, the prophecy of Hosea belongs before Jeremiah. Hosea was contemporary with Isaiah, Micah and Amos, in the northern kingdom. Hosea and Amos were prophets in the northern kingdom, Isaiah and Micah in the southern kingdom.
Hosea compares in many ways to Jeremiah. Jeremiah was the last prophet before the southern kingdom went into captivity; but more than a hundred years before that, Hosea was a prophet in the northern kingdom. He, like Jeremiah, warned the nation of its impending captivity.

Both men spoke out of a heartbreaking personal experience, although Jeremiah's was more public. Hosea's experience was in the home while Jeremiah's was in the nation. Jeremiah loved his nation, and it broke his heart to give them such a harsh message, but GOD certainly chose a very compassionate and tenderhearted man for the job. Was Hosea as tenderhearted as Jeremiah? I think so. Hosea's wife was unfaithful to him and became a prostitute, but he loved her so much that he went back and took her again, but again she played the harlot. Only a kind, loving and tenderhearted man could have endured the misery Gomer put him through. Because this man's heart had been broken, he could speak GOD’S message to His nation.

The first section of the book contains three distinctive poems illustrating how GOD’S children returned time after time to idolatry. GOD commands Hosea to marry Gomer, but after bearing him three children, she walks away from Hosea to her lovers. The symbolic emphasis can be seen clearly in the first Chapter as Hosea compares Israel’s actions to turning from a marriage to life as a prostitute. The second section contains Hosea’s denunciation of the Israelites but followed by the promises and the mercies of GOD.

The Book of Hosea is a Prophetic accounting of GOD’S persistent love for His children. Since the beginning of time GOD’S ungrateful and undeserving creation has been accepting GOD’S love, grace, and mercy while still unable to refrain from its wickedness.

The last part of Hosea shows how GOD’S love once again restores His children as He forgets their misdeeds when they turn back to Him with a repentant heart. The Prophetic message of Hosea foretells the coming of Israel’s Messiah 700 years in the future. Hosea is often quoted in the New Testament.

Prophesy: Hosea 2:23 is the wonderful prophetic message from GOD to include the Gentiles [non-Jews, unbelievers] as His children as recorded also in Romans 9:25 and 1 Peter 2:10. Gentiles were not originally “GOD’S people,” but through His mercy and grace, He has provided Christ Jesus, and by faith in Him we are grafted into the tree of His people (Rom. 11:11-18). This is an amazing truth about the Church, one that is called a “mystery” because before Christ, GOD’S people were considered to be the Jews alone. When Christ came, the Jews were temporarily blinded until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in (Rom.11:25).

How do we apply the Book of Hosea to us today? We are assured of GOD’S unconditional love for His people. But it is also a picture of how GOD is dishonored and angered by the actions of His children. How can a child who is given an abundance of love, mercy and grace treat a Father with so much disrespect? But . . . is that not what many ‘professing’ Christians do? We cannot blame the Israelites for turning their backs on GOD, we need to judge ourselves!
We must remember how much GOD has done for us . . . so we will be able to avoid rejecting the One who can give us eternal life in glory instead of the burning pits of Hell we deserve. We must learn to love, honor, glorify and respect our Creator. Hosea shows us GOD’S gracious, loving heart of promise . . . so that when we do sin, IF we have a heart filled with sorrow and repentance, our GOD will bring us back to Himself and show His never-ending love to us. We learn from Hosea how great GOD’S love is for us, and how much He puts up with and how badly He wants us to be pure and make things right. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (KJV)

JOEL Date written – 800 BC Author – Joel
The potent prophecy of Joel contains just three brief chapters, but it holds an extremely important place in Scripture. Joel was the first writing prophet, and it is Joel who introduces and defines “the day of the LORD.”

The topics of this Book are:
(1.) A Prophecy of a great national hardship that would approach the land: great lack of water and a horrible plague of locusts.
(2.) The Prophet calls on his people to repent and to turn to GOD, assuring them GOD would forgive them.
(3.) He predicts the restoration of the land to its previous fruitfulness.
(4.) Joel gives a Messianic prophecy, quoted by Peter (Acts 2:39).
(5.) The Prophet foretells signs and judgments that would befall the enemies of GOD.
Joel 1:1 The word of the Lord that came to Joel the son of Pethuel. (KJV) The LORD gave these words to Joel, the son of Pethuel.

Joel was NOT a son of Samuel (1 Sam. 8:1–2), for Samuel’s sons were wicked and this Joel is not wicked, but instead he is a man of GOD, a Prophet of GOD. Joel’s father was Pethuel. Joel was a common name, and it means “Jehovah is GOD.”

What Joel writes about is:

A Prophecy of a great public calamity, containing a drought and a horrible locust plague (Joel 1:1-2:11).
An urgent cry to repent to his fellow countrymen, assuring them GOD was willing to forgive (Joel 2:12-17).
Prophecy of the land being restored to fruitfulness (Joel 2:18-26).
A Messianic prophecy, quoted by Peter. Acts 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. (KJV)
Prophecy foretelling judgments that would fall on GOD’S enemies (Joel 3).

Brief Outline of Joel
<><><>#1 Judgments on the people for their sins:

Plague of locusts (Joel 1:4-9).

B. Severe drought (Joel 1:10-20).
C. Enemy invasion (Joel 2:1-10).
<><><>#2 Calls to repentance and prayer (Joel 2:12-17).
<><><>#3 Deliverance promised (Joel 2:18-20)
<><><>#4 Prophecy of a great refreshing season:
A. In nature (Joel 2:23-24).
B. Outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28-30).
<><><>#5 A valley of decision:
A. Prophecy of Gentile nations judged (Joel3:1-16).
B. Prophecy of Zion to receive glorious blessing (Joel 3:17-21).
The prophecy of Joel is not not very big, but very forceful and extremely powerful.
We know very little about the Prophet Joel. All we are told about him is in Joel 1:1, “The word of the Lord that came to Joel the son of Pethuel. Some people think that the prophet Joel was a son of Samuel because 1 Samuel 8:1–2 says, “And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. Now the name of his firstborn was Joel ….” But if we read further, . . . the next verse tells us, “And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment” (1 Sam. 8:3). Samuel’s son could NOT have been the same man as GOD’S Prophet Joel.

Joel prophesied in Jerusalem and the surrounding area. All through his prophecy he refers to “the house of the LORD.” He makes specific reference to it five times: Joel 1:15; 2:1–2; 2:10–11; 2:30–31; and 3:14–16. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel all refer to the Day of the LORD. Sometimes the prophets call it “that day.” Zechariah particularly emphasizes “that day.” Just what is “that day”? It is the Day of the LORD, or the Day of Jehovah. Joel is the one who introduces the Day of the LORD in prophecy. Way back in Joel’s time, he saw further than any other prophet saw . . . he SAW the Day of the LORD.

The Day of the LORD includes the Millennial Kingdom (Rev.20), which will come at the Second Coming of Christ, but Joel makes it very clear that it begins with the Great Tribulation Period, the time of great trouble (Mat 24:15-21). If you want to set a boundary at the end of the Day of the LORD, it would be the end of the Millennium when the LORD Jesus puts down all unrighteousness and establishes His eternal Kingdom here on the Earth.

The Day of the LORD does NOT include the period when the church is in the world. None of the Prophets spoke about or wrote about the church. Joel was the first of the writing prophets, and as he looked down through the centuries, he saw the coming of the Day of the LORD. He did NOT see the church, none of the prophets did. When the LORD Jesus went to the top of the Mount of Olives, men who were schooled in the Old Testament came and asked Him, “What is the sign of the end of the age?” Our LORD did NOT mention His cross to them at that time, nor did He tell them then about the Coming of the Holy Spirit. He did not tell them about the church period or mention the Rapture to them. Instead, the LORD went way down to the beginning of the Day of the LORD. The events He predicted will identify it for the people who will be there when the Day of the LORD begins: Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) (KJV)
That is how we are to know the beginning of the Day of the LORD. Joel will make it clear to us that it begins with night, meaning it begins as a time of trouble. The Hebrew day begins at sunset. Genesis tells us, “And the evening and the morning were the first day” (Gen. 1:5). We today begin at sunup, but God begins at sundown. So. the Day of the LORD begins with night (trouble).

Unlike Hosea, Joel says hardly anything about himself. Hosea brings out the scandal in his home, and his unfaithful wife. We do not know whether Joel had a wife or not. Unlike many of the other prophets, Joel does not condemn Israel for idolatry. Earlier in their history, at the time Joel prophesied, idolatry was not the great sin in Israel. Joel mentions only one sin, that of drunkenness.

Joel opens his Prophecy with an exceptional description of a literal plague of locusts. Then he uses that plague of locusts to compare with the future judgments which will come upon this Earth. The first Chapter is very dramatic and literary gem. It is a remarkable Passage of Scripture, unlike anything you will find anywhere else in the Bible.

To conclude, Joel’s prophecy contains the very controversial Passage in which he mentions the outpouring of the Holy Spirit which was referred to by the apostle Peter on the Day of Pentecost (Joel 2:28–29). There are different interpretations concerning the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, see our Commentary on Joel.

Even though Joel is the first of the writing prophets, he is NOT the only one to mention the pouring out of the Spirit. Isaiah 32:15 Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest. (KJV) Isaiah speaks of the Kingdom which shall come to the Earth, and the pouring out of the Spirit is referring to the Millennium. Because none of the prophets spoke of the church age; all of them are speaking about Israel.
Eze. 36:27-28 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. [28] And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. (KJV) Ezekiel is speaking to a specific people and a specific land . . . ISRAEL! He also speaks about a specific time period when GOD will pour out His Spirit upon Israel.
Eze.37:14 And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the Lord have spoken it, and performed it, saith the Lord. (KJV)
Eze. 39:29 Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD. (KJV)
Zech. 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. (KJV) Again, the prophet Zechariah speaks here only about Israel!
Joel also makes it very clear in the Passage that we are discussing Israel, in mount Zion and in Jerusalem, whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered. Joel refers to a certain place on the map, the land of Israel!

Acts 15:16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: (KJV) “After this”. . . after what? After He calls out the church from this world, GOD will again turn to His program with Israel, which is the time that the Day of the LORD refers. Acts 15:17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. (KJV) Today GOD is calling out of the Gentiles a people (the church); in that day, all the Gentiles who enter the Kingdom will see GOD rightly, and will seek the LORD.

Summary: Joel wrote to warn the people of an upcoming disaster. The land was going to be invaded by a mighty army. He uses the analogy or image of an invasion of locusts that come in and ravage the land, devouring everything in their path. He urges the people to repent or perish. Joel tells the people the Day of the LORD is coming . . . this shall be a day of judgment and wrath. The Day of the LORD is a dreadful thing to be feared for those who refuse to repent. We learn from Joel that SIN does matter, that GOD is watching, and that there is always a price to pay for those who rebel against the LORD.

AMOS Author – Amos
Date of Writing: The Book of Amos was likely written between 760 and 753 B.C.
Reason for Writing: Amos was a shepherd and a fruit picker from the Judean village of Tekoa when GOD called him, even though Amos lacked an education or a priestly background. He is directed to his neighbor to the north, Israel. His messages of approaching doom and captivity for the nation because of her sins were very unpopular and unheeded, but, because not since the days of Solomon have times been so good in Israel. Amos' ministry takes place while Jeroboam II reigns over Israel, and Uzziah reigns over Judah.

Amos was fearless as he brought his message from GOD. Hosea’s message stressed the love of GOD, but a GOD of love who also shall judge. Amos spoke of the glorious justice and the inflexible righteousness of GOD that leads Him to judge. He spoke to the great world powers of that day, like the later prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel did.

When Amos first spoke in Beth-el, saying that GOD was going to judge Syria, Philistia, Phoenicia, Edom, Ammon, and Moab, they filled the king’s chapel. Amos really drew a crowd. It pleased them for him to preach on the sins of the Moabites, but NOT on their sins. What about today? Do you like to hear about YOUR sins?

Brief Summary: Amos can see that beneath Israel’s external prosperity and power, internally the nation is corrupt to the core. The sins for which Amos chastens the people are extensive: neglect of GOD’S Word, idolatry, pagan worship, greed, corrupted leadership, and oppression of the poor. Amos begins by pronouncing a judgment upon all the surrounding nations, then upon his own nation of Judah, and finally the harshest judgment is given to Israel. His visions from GOD reveal the same emphatic message: judgment is near. The Book ends with GOD’S Promise to Amos of future restoration of the remnant.

Prophesy: The Book of Amos ends with a glorious Promise for the future. “I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them,’ says the LORD your GOD” (9:15). The ultimate fulfillment of GOD’S land Promise to Abraham (Gen. 12:7; 15:7; 17:8) will occur during Christ’s millennial reign on earth (Joel 2:26,27). Revelation 20 describes the thousand-year reign of Christ on the Earth, a time of peace and joy under the perfect government of the Saviour Himself. At that time, believing Israel and the Gentile Christians will be combined in the Church and will live and reign with Christ.
How do we apply the Book of Amos to our life today? Amos was not a prophet or priest; he was just a shepherd. WHO would listen to him? But he did NOT make excuses, Amos obeyed and became GOD’S powerful voice for change. Maybe we sometimes think we are just little ‘nobodies’ . . . so why would anyone listen to GOD’S messages from us? BUT . . . we are clearly told to “Go ye therefore” (Mat.28:19; Luke 9:60; John 21:15,17). God has used ordinary people such as shepherds, carpenters, and fishermen all through the Bible. Whatever you are in this life, GOD can use you. Amos was not much in the eyes of the world . . . but he certainly was an obedient and willing servant of the LORD God! We must be also!

Amos preached judgment on the northern tribes of Israel due to their sin and rebellion. Amos is made up of a series of sermons and judgments preached against GOD’S people with the hope of their repentance. They did NOT listen. The last chapter of Amos prophesies Israel will be destroyed and later be restored. GOD is going to restore Israel to the land. It will all be Israel, an undivided kingdom, as it was in the beginning of its history. It will be all twelve tribes. They are scattered over the whole world today. They are spread out among all nations. The prophecy clearly states that they will be scattered among all nations. Look around. GOD has done that. But it will not be that way forever. GOD will return Israel to the land.

The words of Amos should inspire us to live faithfully according to GOD’S desires and will. BUT . . . if we, like Israel, continue on in sin, GOD’S judgments shall fall on us. We do NOT have Prophets, but we DO have GOD’S Holy Word! Let us in wisdom, OBEY it!

OBADIAH Date written – 850 BC Author – Obadiah
This prophesy is about Edom and Jerusalem. Edom was a nation made up of relatives to the Jews (through Esau – See Obadiah 1:6 and Genesis 25-27). When Jerusalem was attacked, Edom should have helped them. BUT . . . instead they mocked Israel and incurred on them, the wrath and judgment of GOD. Edom is the shortest book in the Old Testament, only one Chapter. In this Book we see how passionate GOD is for His people and will eventually bring judgment on those who stand opposed to GOD’S people.

Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament . . . just twenty-one verses. There are many people who feel that this Book is not worth reading. They are wrong! It is in the Bible for a reason! Just because the message is brief, does not mean that it is less important or should be passed over. Like the other Minor Prophets, the message has logical and precise importance to the matter at hand, it is practical, and it is piercing and deeply affecting. It is certainly a message that can be geared to this day in which we are living.
None of the so-called Minor Prophets are volcanoes, no longer active . . . instead, they ALL bring words that should make us sit up and pay attention! There is NO cold, dead ash in ANY of them; instead, they spew out hot lava. Obadiah's prophecy is of devastating judgment against the little kingdom of Edom.
Who was this prophet? Where was he born? Of what country? When did he prophesy? Who were his parents? When and where did he die? These questions have no answers worth recording. All that is known is, he prophesied about the destruction of Edom, he lived a little before or after the taking of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, which happened about 580 B.C., and the destruction of Idumea by the same king, which took place a short time later; probably between 588 B.C. and 575 B.C., in the interval of the thirteen years which Nebuchadnezzar employed in the siege of Tyre, which he undertook immediately after the capture of Jerusalem.
Obadiah foretells the destruction of the Idumeans by the Chaldeans, and finally by the Jews, whom the Edomites had used most cruelly when brought low by other enemies. These prophecies have been literally fulfilled, because the Idumeans, as a nation, are totally extinct.
This short Prophecy goes hand in hand with the 49th chapter of Jeremiah. There is a remarkable similarity, in the sentiments and words. In this Chapter Jeremiah predicts the destruction of the Idumeans. Whether he copied Obadiah, or Obadiah copied him, cannot be known for certain, but it would be very strange if two prophets, unacquainted with each other, should speak of the same event precisely in the same terms.
Compare: Obadiah 1:5 If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grapegatherers came to thee, would they not leave some grapes? . . . With: Jeremiah 49:9 If grapegatherers come to thee, would they not leave some gleaning grapes? if thieves by night, they will destroy till they have enough.
Compare: Obadiah 1:6 How are the things of Esau searched out! how are his hidden things sought up! With: Jeremiah 49:10 But I have made Esau bare, I have uncovered his secret places, and he shall not be able to hide himself: his seed is spoiled, and his brethren, and his neighbours, and he is not.
Compare: Obadiah 1:8 Shall I not in that day, saith the LORD, even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau? . . . With: Jeremiah 49:7 Concerning Edom, thus saith the LORD of hosts; Is wisdom no more in Teman? is counsel perished from the prudent? is their wisdom vanished? . . . It seems that Jeremiah embodied in his prophecies part of Obadiah's, as he had done in the case of other prophets also.
Compare: Isa. 15:1-16:14 with Jer. 48:1-47.

The reason for the present position of Obadiah before other of the minor prophets ahead in date is, Amos at the close of his prophecies foretells the conquering of Edom by the Jews (Am. 1:11). The date of Obadiah's prophecies was probably immediately after the taking of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, 588 B.C., five years afterwards (583 B.C.) Edom was conquered by Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah must have incorporated part of Obadiah's prophecies with his own immediately after they were spoken.

The Book of Obadiah could be divided into two parts:
#1. Ob.1:1-6 set forth Edom's violence toward his brother Israel in the day of the latter's distress, and his coming destruction with the rest of the foes of Judah;
#2. Ob.1:17-21, the coming re-establishment of the Jews in their own possessions, to which shall be added those of the neighboring peoples, and especially those of Edom.

The Edomites were descendants of Esau: Gen.36:9,43; Num.20:18; Deut.2:4; 23:7; Jud.11:17; 1 Sam.14:47; 21:7; 2 Sam.8:14; 1 Kings 11:1; 1 Chron.18:12; 2 Chron.21:8; 28:17; Ps.83:6; 137:7; Jer.49:7; Eze.25:12; 32:29; Dan.11:41; Amos 1:11; Ob.1:1; Mal.1:4.

Edom’s ruin came about because of their pride, confidence and security. Their allies would deceive them; the wisdom of their wise men would be destroyed; and the strength of their mighty men would be discouraged. This would come upon them, mainly because of the terrible way they treated the Jews at the time of Jerusalem's destruction. This would be when all the nations round about them would be destroyed, and then deliverance is promised to the Jews, who would not only then enjoy their own possessions, but also the land of the Edomites, wasted by them. The Book of Obadiah ends with a glorious Prophecy of the Kingdom of the Messiah.

JONAH Date written – 750 BC Author – Jonah
Jonah is really a book about GOD’S mercy. It is one of the few times in the Old Testament that GOD offers a nation, other than Israel, a chance to repent. It shows that GOD is interested in the hearts of ALL people, everywhere. Jonah failed to understand GOD’S goodness and mercy. First, he flees from GOD’S call and then he pouts and complains about GOD’S mercy. GOD is good regardless of our misunderstanding Him.

The Book of Jonah gives an account of what actually took place in the experience of the prophet. Some critics say the Book is a parable, allegory, fable or legend and is not history. In other words, it is simply fiction, and I say, NOT true.
Some reject it on the ground that the miraculous portion enters so largely into it, and that it is not prophetical but story in its form. Still others, deny the possibility of miracles altogether, and say it cannot be true history. Jonah and his story IS referred to by our LORD Jesus (Mat.12:39-40; Luke 11:29-30), a FACT that must be considered. As far as I am concerned, this one argument is enough to settle the whole question. No man-made viewpoints invented to try to get rid of difficulties in the Bible, can stand up against the proof that the Book is actual history, inspired by GOD.
2 Tim. 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (KJV)
2 Peter 1:20-21 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. [21] For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (KJV) . . . Peter affirms that the Old Testament prophets wrote GOD’S messages.

The Bible is NOT a collection of fables or human ideas about GOD. It is GOD’S very words given through GOD’S people to people. It is NOT a human book. Through the Holy Spirit, GOD revealed His person and plan to certain believers, who wrote down His message for His people. This process is known as inspiration. The writers wrote from their own personal, historical, and cultural contexts; using their own minds, talents, language, and style, but they wrote what GOD wanted them to write. Scripture is completely trustworthy because GOD was in control of every word that was written. The Bible is “GOD-breathed.” Read it, let it guide your conduct. The Book of Jonah is true. If you believe ANY part of the Bible, you must believe it all.

There is every reason to believe that this Book was written by Jonah himself. It gives an account of:

#1. His call from GOD to go to Nineveh, his disobedience, and the punishment following (Jonah 1:1-17);
#2. His prayer and miraculous deliverance (Jonah 1:17-2:10);
#3. The second commission given to him, and his prompt obedience in delivering the message from GOD, and its results in the repentance of the Ninevites, and GOD’S long-sparing mercy toward them (Jonah 3);
#4. Jonah’s great displeasure at GOD’S merciful decision, and the rebuke from GOD to the impatient prophet (Jonah 4). Nineveh was spared after Jonah’s mission for more than a century.

MIRACLES IN THE BOOK OF JONAH

#1. GOD sent a violent storm. Jonah 1:4.
#2. GOD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah. Jonah 1:17.
#3. GOD ordered the fish to vomit Jonah. Jonah 2:10.
#4. GOD made a vine to shade Jonah. Jonah 4:6.
#5. GOD provided a worm to eat the vine. Jonah 4:7.
#6. GOD provided a scorching wind to blow on Jonah. Jonah 4:8.
#7. The entire city of Nineveh repents. Jonah 3:5.

There are six facts in the Book of Jonah that fit for us today:

#1. This Book of the Old Testament sets forth the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Book of Jonah illustrates and teaches the resurrection of the LORD Jesus.
#2. The Book of Jonah teaches that salvation is NOT by works, but by faith which leads to repentance. The way to GOD is NOT by works of righteousness which we have done, but by the Blood of a substitutionary sacrifice provided by the Lord. The most significant statement in the Book of Jonah is in the second chapter: “Salvation is of the LORD” (Jonah 2:9). The LORD Jesus is the Author of Salvation.
#3. The third great fact of this Book is to show that GOD’S purpose of grace cannot be stopped. Jonah refused to go to Nineveh, but GOD would get His way. Jonah was going to be the witness for GOD in Nineveh . . . he did not know he was going there, but he DID go.
#4. The fourth great fact in this Book is that God will not cast us aside for lack of faith. He may not use you, but He will NOT cast you aside. Anytime we repent and desire to do His will, He will allow us to do it.
#5. The fifth great fact is that GOD is good and gracious. Jonah 4:2 gives us the most penetrating picture of God in the entire Bible. Jonah 4:2 And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil. (KJV)
#6. The sixth great fact is that the LORD God is the GOD of the Gentiles. Salvation is available for ALL mankind. The Book of Jonah reveals that even in the Old Testament GOD did NOT forget the Gentiles. He was willing to save a woman like Rahab the harlot, and a brutal, cruel nation like the Assyrians, including inhabitants of Nineveh, its capital. GOD is a merciful and patient GOD and wants to save sinners.

Is the Gospel in the Old Testament?

YES! It certainly is!

The GOSPEL is in the Old Testament

The Bible Helps us Better Understand GOD

Gospel Briefs in Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers

Gospel Briefs in Deuteronomy and Joshua

Gospel Briefs in Judges and Ruth

Gospel Briefs in 1&2 Samuel and 1&2 Kings

Gospel Briefs in 1&2 Chronicles and Ezra

Gospel Briefs in Nehemiah and Esther

Gospel Briefs in Job and Psalms

Gospel Briefs in Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song