Bible study course
An incisive academic and pastoral study of the Book of Jonah exploring prophetic vocation, flight from divine presence, cosmic sovereignty over creation, pagan repentance, the scandal of divine mercy for national enemies, and God's relentless compassion against the geopolitical backdrop of eighth-century BC Israel and the Neo-Assyrian empire.
An orienting academic introduction to the Book of Jonah, exploring its eighth-century BC historical backdrop during the reign of Jeroboam II, its unique genre as prophetic satire, the theological scandal of divine mercy extended to Assyrian enemies, and the typological fulfillment in the sign of Jonah given by Jesus Christ.
An in-depth theological exposition of Jonah 1, examining Jonah's deliberate flight to Tarshish, the descending spiral of rebellion, the theological irony of the pagan sailors, the storm as divine severe mercy, and the sovereign appointment of the great fish.
An advanced literary and exegetical study of Jonah 2, analyzing the prophet's poetic prayer from the belly of Sheol, the water imagery of chaotic judgment, the psychological and theological ambiguity of his thanksgiving, and the climactic confession that salvation belongs to the Lord.
A comprehensive theological exposition of Jonah 3, examining God's commissioning of Jonah a second time, the five-word Hebrew proclamation of judgment, the unprecedented city-wide repentance of Nineveh from the king to the domestic animals, and the divine relenting from disaster.
The climactic academic exposition of Jonah 4, analyzing Jonah's furious prayer weaponizing the Exodus 34:6 creed, the object lesson of the castor oil plant, the cutworm, and the scorching east wind, the conflict between petty self-interest and cosmic compassion, and the profound unresolved question that closes the book.