Day 4: Jonah’s Anger

If you’ve ever read through a good novel, you know that authors often use a cliffhanger at the end of a chapter so that you’ll want to turn the page and keep reading. There’s this thought of, “I’ve just got to find out what happens!” Oddly, the book of Jonah ends in a similar manner. It isn’t a cliffhanger per se, but it ends with God asking a question that is left unresolved.

Jonah is the only prophet in the Old Testament whom God commanded to provide a message to people who were not the people of Israel. In his displeasure with God’s request, Jonah runs, and runs, and runs some more. He eventually answers God’s call and goes to Nineveh, only for these ungodly, unholy people to agree to turn from their wicked ways. It’s strange to think about: Jonah speaks God’s message; the people of Nineveh hear this message; turn to God; and Jonah is angry with God about it! He’s angry that God offered mercy to the Ninevites. Even after everything he had experienced, he still wanted a God of his own making.

As you read today, consider this: Think back through all of the readings from this week:

How did Jonah respond to the challenges he experienced? Would you respond any differently today?

READING:

    JONAH 4

Think back through all of the readings from this week:

How did Jonah respond to the challenges he experienced?

Would you have responded any differently a year ago? 5 years ago? 10 years ago?

Would you respond any differently today?

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Judges 2 & 3

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today? HEAR Bible Study Method

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, having read through the story of Jonah, while I would like to say that I would never respond in the same way Jonah responded, I know the opposite to be true. There are times when I question Your grace or mercy for others. But the story of Jonah is an excellent reminder that the grace and mercy You showed the Ninevites is the same grace and mercy You have shown me. It’s also the same grace and mercy You invite me to show others. Today, I simply pray for wisdom in how I can better reveal Your love, grace, and mercy to others. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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     Day 3: Jonah Goes to Nineveh

Admittedly, the story of Jonah is one of the more bizarre stories in the Bible. Is it to be taken literally? Was there really a giant fish that swallowed Jonah? How did he stay alive for three days? What, exactly, is the book communicating to us? What are the main lessons in the story?

These are all good questions, and not all can be answered in full in this week’s readings. But it’s important to remember that if you believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus, the story of Jonah is far less of a miracle.
After crying out to God in Chapter 2, God commands the fish to vomit Jonah out onto dry land. Doesn’t that sound pleasant? The HCSB Study Bible notes that this event may symbolize God’s disgust at Jonah’s prior disobedience or even his continued bad attitude.

From here, Jonah’s trip to Nineveh probably took about a month. And the city was so large, it takes Jonah 3 days to travel through it. During this time, Jonah would have needed to communicate God’s message at every major gate and temple throughout the city.

As you read today, consider this: How do you think Jonah felt throughout these experiences?

READING:

    JONAH 3

What problems was Jonah facing?

How do you think Jonah felt throughout these experiences?

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Joshua 23 & 24

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today? HEAR Bible Study Method

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, the story of Jonah is an excellent reminder that I am not alone in feeling confused, depressed, and even frustrated by the challenges that come my way. It’s also an excellent reminder that the things You are inviting me to be part of are not simple, will take time, and may have results that aren’t what I hope or plan for. Nevertheless, I know that whatever circumstances may come my way, You are with me. If You invite me to share Your message with a family member, colleague, or friend, You will be with me. If, like Jonah, You invite me to share Your message with people who think and act completely different than everybody else I know, even then You will be with me. Today I simply want to rejoice in the reminder that no matter what, You are with me. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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     Day 2: Jonah Prays

Back in World World II, Louie Zamperini and a number of other soldiers lost their plane in the Pacific Ocean. Many of the crew were killed. Louie and his best friend, Phil, however, survived. Louie, an ex-Olympic Athlete, had struggled with belief in God. But while stranded somewhere in the Pacific Ocean aboard a life raft in a terrible storm, Louie prayed.

In her best-selling book, Unbroken, Laura Hillenbrand writes, “he prayed for himself and Phil, vowing that if God would save them, he would serve heaven forever.”

The timing of Louie’s prayer isn’t unusual. We all know it’s when we’re at our lowest low, when our fears are most heightened, when we feel completely and utterly incapable, these are the moments in which we cry out to God.
In Chapter 2 Jonah finds himself in the same situation. He has gone down, down, down, and now at his lowest low, he cries out to God.

As you read today, consider this: What parts of Jonah’s prayer stick out to you the most? Why do you think that is?

READING:

    JONAH 2

What aspects of Jonah’s story resonate with your own life experience? (Consider the decisions he made, those he interacted with, etc.)

What kinds of ambitions or hopes could Jonah have had through his life experiences? In what ways does this help you to identify with the story of Jonah?

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Joshua 7 & 8

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today? HEAR Bible Study Method

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, even if I’m not currently at my lowest low, I recognize that I’m more prone to reach out to You when I feel that I am in need of something. Today, I’m simply grateful for the reminder that You and You alone have fulfilled my greatest needs. Specifically, I want to thank You for fulfilling my needs of (______), (______), and (______). May my gratitude of who You are and all You have done for me and within me be ever-present in my thoughts throughout this day. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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     Day 1: Jonah Runs

The Book of Jonah is one of the shortest books in the Old Testament, but it reveals a lot about the nature of God, and how we sometimes choose to respond to Him. We see very early that Jonah mostly desires a God of his own making.
In his book titled The Prodigal Prophet, Timothy Keller writes, “Jonah…wants a God who simply smites the bad people, for instance, the wicked Ninevites, and blesses the good people, for instance, Jonah and his countrymen.” When God asks Jonah to go to Nineveh, he runs.

In fact, if you pay close attention to Jonah Chapter 1, you’ll see that Jonah does everything to run away from what God has asked him to do. Perhaps he wasn’t just running away from what God had asked him to do, but was running away from God Himself.

For example, Jonah went down to Joppa (v. 3). Jonah had gone (down) below deck (v. 5). Jonah said, “Throw me (down) into the sea” (v. 12). In his running, Jonah continued going down. But at his lowest low the true God was about to reveal more about His nature than Jonah had ever known.

As you read today, consider this: What does this passage about Jonah tell you about reality? About humanity?

READING:

    JONAH 1

What does this passage about Jonah tell you about reality? About humanity?

In what ways does this help you to identify with the story of Jonah?

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Joshua 5:10-15 & 6

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today? HEAR Bible Study Method

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I confess there are times in my life in which, like Jonah, I desire to have a God of my own making. Sometimes my prayers are more about me and my desires, and less about who You are, and how I can come to know You better.

This week, as I read through the book of Jonah, I pray that You will reveal to me the ways I may think, respond, or even run in the same ways Jonah reacted to You and Your desires for his life. I pray also that You will continue to reveal to me the purpose You have for my life and remind me that You have given me this purpose because You know that, with Your help and guidance, it can be fulfilled. I pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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     Day 5: God is WITH Us in the Silence

READING:

     ESTHER 9 & 10

Who is the hero of the story of Esther? What passages in this story lead you to this conclusion? 

In just one sentence, write out the one thing you learned from the story of Esther. 

Then write out how you will respond to God as a result. 

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Joshua 3 & 4

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today? HEAR Bible Study Method

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, today I simply want to thank You for the reminder that even in those moments in which You appear to be silent, still You are with me. You have been with me in my trials. You have been with me in my doubts. You have been with me in my humility. You have been with me in the silence.

This week, as the Christmas season is officially upon us, may I remember that Jesus – Emmanuel – is first and foremost a celebration of You being with us. I thank You in Jesus’ name.

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     Day 4: Esther’s Plea

Think about a time when God worked something out in your life in a way that was completely unexpected. Perhaps you had a specific need you hadn’t talked about with anybody else, and you suddenly discovered that somebody had fulfilled that need. Or maybe a really difficult situation was unfolding in your personal life, and somebody who didn’t know anything about it texted you to say, “I just wanted you to know I’ve been praying for you throughout the day.” 

As the story of Esther comes to a remarkable climax, we see God’s providence (that is, His care and concern for His people) through the acts of a king that didn’t worship Him. Even though the name of God isn’t specifically mentioned in the text, we discover in Esther 7 & 8 that God’s people are rescued, and many who were not Jewish decide to convert and become followers of God (8:17). So not only were God’s people not condemned to death by the Persian Empire, but their numbers grew. At this time in the history of God’s people, He showed that He was still with them.

As you read today, consider this: Think back through all of the readings from this week: How did Esther respond to the challenges she experienced?

READING:

     ESTHER 7 & 8

Think back through all of the readings from this week: How did Esther respond to the challenges she experienced?

Would you have responded any differently a year ago? 5 years ago? 10 years ago?

Would you respond any differently today? 

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Joshua 1 & 2

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today? HEAR Bible Study Method

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, today I simply want to thank You for the reminder that even in those moments in which You appear to be silent, still You are with me. You have been with me in my trials. You have been with me in my doubts. You have been with me in my humility. You have been with me in the silence.

This week, as the Christmas season is officially upon us, may I remember that Jesus – Emmanuel – is first and foremost a celebration of You being with us. I thank You in Jesus’ name.

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     Day 3: Esther’s Honor

Take a brief moment to recall yesterday’s reading. Were you able to think about a time when you knew you needed to have a hard conversation with somebody, but you dreaded the thought of actually having it? What happened when you finally sat down with that individual and openly talked about what was troubling you? 

If we’re all being honest, sometimes conversations like these play out worse than we initially imagined. But oftentimes the opposite is true and we are rewarded for having the courage to follow through. In these moments, the conversation goes much better than expected. In these moments, our concerns are validated. In these moments, the relational bond strengthens. In these moments, God is honored.

In the story of Esther, her courage to approach the king is rewarded and she is given honor by Xerxes and Haman. Similarly, Mordecai’s courage to reveal an assassination plot against the king is rewarded and he is given honor by Xerxes as well.

As you read today, consider this: What problems were Esther or Mordecai facing. How do you think they felt throughout these experiences? 

READING:

     ESTHER 5 & 6

What problems were Esther and Mordecai facing? 

How do you think they felt throughout these experiences? 

Who is somebody you personally know who has done something courageous? How may you honor them this week? 

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Deuteronomy 32:48-52 & 34

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today? HEAR Bible Study Method

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, while the thought of honoring others who have done something courageous may still be common today, I confess that I don’t regularly share appreciations or honor towards those who have done something courageous. May I begin to see people and situations differently, so that I may honor those who have been courageous, even if their small acts of courage have gone unnoticed by others. Similarly, I pray for opportunities to be more courageous, and I acknowledge that even in these situations, it will be You who is ultimately honored as a result. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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     Day 2: Esther’s Courage

Think about a time when you knew you needed to have a hard conversation with somebody. Whether it was a college roommate, someone you were dating, your spouse, your children, your boss, or another friend, you probably dreaded the thought of sitting down and sharing something important with them. 

This is the situation in which Esther finds herself, only her experience is even worse. Esther knows that the former queen has been harshly punished for not following through on the customs of their culture. And now she’s in a position in which, as the queen, she needs to go against the customs of the culture. She’s fully aware that by approaching the king, she may very well be put to death. How will she respond? 

Initially, Esther responds to the situation by deciding to fast (not eat or drink) for three days, and encourages her uncle to do the same. Until now, her uncle has made many of the decisions in Esther’s life. Now, she’s taking the initiative to be the spokesperson for her people, even at the cost of her own life. 

As you read today, consider this: What aspects of Esther’s story resonate with your own life experience? (Consider her family upbringing, those she interacted with, etc.)

READING:

     ESTHER 2:21-4:17

What aspects of Esther’s story resonate with your own life experience? (Consider her family upbringing, those she worked for or served, those she interacted with, etc.)

What kinds of ambitions or hopes could Esther have had through her life experiences? In what ways does this help you to identify with the story of Esther?

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Deuteronomy 30 & 31

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today? HEAR Bible Study Method

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, today I want to thank You for those who have regularly recognized the courage You have placed within me to fulfill the life You have called me to live. Specifically, I thank You for (_______), (_______), and (_______). These individuals have regularly encouraged me to live for You, and I’m so very grateful for them. Today, I simply pray for the wisdom to know Your will, and for the courage to follow through on Your will, even when it’s hard. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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     Day 1: Esther’s Rise

The book of Esther is a challenging book for many historians. In fact, it’s likely that the book of Esther has received more historical criticism than any other book in the Bible. For example, the name of Xerxes’ wife, Vashti, doesn’t align with other historical records. But the Hebrew word translated as “Vashti” is similar to the Old Persian term for “beautiful woman,” indicating it may not have been written as a name, but as a description. For some Christian scholars, another challenge with the book of Esther is that the name of God is never mentioned. 

Even though the name of God isn’t mentioned in the book, it is clear that God is at work in the lives of Esther, her uncle Mordecai, and the Jewish population in this time period. 

Four main characters are highlighted throughout the story. King Xerxes (mentioned 29 times), Haman (mentioned 48 times), Mordecai (mentioned 54 times), and Esther (mentioned 48 times).

As you begin reading through this wonderfully written story, pay careful attention to each character, their decisions, and the outcome of their decisions. In what ways may their decisions and the outcome mirror some of your own? 

READING:

     ESTHER 1:1-2:20

What does this passage about Esther tell you about reality? About humanity? 

In what ways does this help you to identify with the story of Esther?  

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Deuteronomy 8 & 9

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today? HEAR Bible Study Method

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, there have been times in my life when I have wondered about Your presence. There have been times in which I felt as if You were completely silent. As I begin reading through the book of Esther, may it be a wonderful reminder that even through the seasons in my life when Your name isn’t mentioned, still You are there. May it be a reminder that You have always been with me, are with me right now, and will continue to be with me. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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     Day 5: God is WITH Us in our Humility

READING:

     DANIEL 4:28-37

Who is the hero of the story of Nebuchadnezzar? What passages in this story lead you to this conclusion? 

In just one sentence, write out the one thing you learned from the story of Nebuchadnezzar. Then write out how You will respond to God as a result. 

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Deuteronomy 6 & 7

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today? HEAR Bible Study Method

Click here if you would like to provide feedback to help us make the daily devotional and scripture reading guide even better.