Expert: Thurman C. Petty, Jr. - 5/12/2009

Question
What is the purpose of the book of jOnah? what are the writing styles of the book of jonah.

Answer
Dear Diana,

Thank you for your questions about Jonah. I only answer questions that deal with Bible topics. The first question, the purpose of the book of Jonah lies within that boundary. But the writing styles of the book of Jonah do not. I've written many books, articles, and such, but I never studied Biblical styles of writing. So I'm going to have to pass on that one.

The book of Jonah had several purposes:

To teach that when God wants you to do something, He's serious: Do it. Jonah received a call from God to go and evangelize Nineveh, to win those people to God.
    It was a difficult assignment--He might lose his life; the   
      Assyrians hated God's people, the Israelites.
    There didn't seem to be a chance that the idol worshipers of
      Nineveh would have any interest in the worship of Israel's God.
    The sermon didn't seem to be geared to win souls--"40 days and
      Nineveh will be overthrown."

The second lesson the book teaches is that God can do anything with anybody--even if they are a Jewish prophet in a pagan culture wearing garments that smelled a lot like fish! But the entire city repented at the preaching of Jonah--the most successful evangelistic series in history: 100%

Now, Diana, the Bible says that God is calling you to accept Jesus as your Savior. It's a difficult assignment, because our culture doesn't seem to like dedicated Christians. But that's beside the point. God is calling you, and He's serious: your life depends on it.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.

See the order? Believe in God's only Son (Jesus). Result: you won't die the eternal death that the non-believers will die (perish). Instead you will have everlasting life--that's life that lasts as long as God will live, forever, without end, never die. That life to be lived in the most beautiful world you cannot imagine; with no aging, no sickness, no pain, no death--ever.(see Rev. 21, 22)

That's the most fantastic invitation I've ever had, and I've taken Him up on it. I believe. How about you?

Thurman C. Petty, Jr.
pettypress@gmail.com
Check out my web site PettyPress.com where I've posted 18 books, 40 Bible study guides, and much more.