JONAH EAGER TO FORGIVE
JONAH EAGER TO FORGIVE Sabbath School Lesson May 11, 2013 Larry R Evans SS Teacher Introduction Jonah’s message came at a time of great national distress. Jeroboam II “did what was evil in the sight of the Lord; he did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat.” (2 Kings 14:23-27). Through the prophecy of Jonah (v.25), however, the Lord extended his mercy to Israel and widened her borders. Nevertheless, Israel existed on probationary time despite this blessing. The message of Jonah is unique in that while he preaches to Nineveh the real import of the book is directed to the northern kingdom. The dominant theme is God’s right to extend mercy to any nation or individual he chooses – Jew or Gentile. The book reminds Israel in a satirical way of her missionary responsibility even to her enemies and that her God, Yahweh—her promise-keeping God, is Lord over all nations. It becomes clear that Isra...