Topical Encyclopedia Murmuring, a term often associated with complaining or expressing discontent, is a recurring theme in the biblical narrative of Jonah. The Book of Jonah, a prophetic text in the Old Testament, provides a vivid account of Jonah's reluctance and dissatisfaction with God's command and actions, highlighting the human tendency to question divine will.Jonah's Initial Murmuring The account begins with God commanding Jonah to go to Nineveh and proclaim judgment against it due to its wickedness. Jonah 1:1-2 states, "The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: 'Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before Me.'" Instead of obeying, Jonah murmurs internally and flees in the opposite direction, boarding a ship to Tarshish. His actions reflect a silent protest against God's directive, rooted in his personal biases and fear of the Assyrian city. Murmuring in the Storm As Jonah attempts to escape, God sends a great storm upon the sea, endangering the ship and its crew. The sailors, recognizing the supernatural nature of the storm, cast lots to determine the cause, which falls on Jonah. Jonah 1:10 reveals the sailors' reaction: "The men were seized by a great fear and said to him, 'What have you done?' For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them." Jonah's murmuring and disobedience not only put his life at risk but also endangered others, illustrating the broader consequences of resisting God's will. Murmuring in the Belly of the Fish After being thrown overboard and swallowed by a great fish, Jonah spends three days and nights in its belly. During this time, Jonah reflects on his actions and prays to God. Jonah 2:1-2 records his prayer: "From inside the fish, Jonah prayed to the LORD his God, saying: 'In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me. From the belly of Sheol I called for help, and You heard my voice.'" While Jonah's prayer is one of repentance and thanksgiving, it also reveals his struggle with accepting God's plan, as he acknowledges his distress and need for divine intervention. Murmuring After Nineveh's Repentance Upon being released from the fish, Jonah finally obeys God's command and goes to Nineveh, proclaiming its impending destruction. To Jonah's dismay, the people of Nineveh repent, and God spares the city. Jonah 3:10 states, "When God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—He relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them." Jonah's reaction is one of anger and murmuring, as he expresses his displeasure with God's mercy. Jonah 4:1-2 captures his complaint: "But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. So he prayed to the LORD: 'Please, LORD, was this not what I said while I was still in my own country? That is why I was so quick to flee toward Tarshish. I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion—One who relents from sending disaster.'" Murmuring and the Lesson of the Plant In response to Jonah's anger, God provides a plant to give him shade, which Jonah appreciates. However, God then sends a worm to destroy the plant, causing Jonah to lament its loss. Jonah 4:9 records God's question to Jonah: "But God said to Jonah, 'Do you have a right to be angry about the plant?' 'I do,' he replied. 'I am angry enough to die!'" This exchange highlights Jonah's continued murmuring and inability to understand God's compassion and sovereignty. Through the lesson of the plant, God teaches Jonah about His concern for all creation, including the people of Nineveh. The narrative of Jonah serves as a profound exploration of murmuring against divine will, illustrating the challenges of aligning human desires with God's purposes. Torrey's Topical Textbook Jonah 4:8,9And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library But Though Prayer is Properly Confined to Vows and Supplications.. ... Who Can Tell? Thanksgiving Versus Complaining Christian Meekness Ep. Lxxvii. I Hear that You are Indignant at the Outrages which ... In the Temple at the Feast of Tabernacles. 2 Kings iv. 25, 26. The Second Season The Meek and Lowly One Songs in the Night Resources What is glossolalia? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the flesh? | GotQuestions.org Who was Korah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Murmuring: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Murmuring of Israelites Against Moses Murmuring: Against: Disciples of Christ Murmuring: Against: Ministers of God Murmuring: Against: The Service of God Murmuring: Against: The Sovereignty of God Murmuring: Characteristic of the Wicked Murmuring: Guilt of Encouraging Others In Murmuring: Jews, Against Jesus Murmuring: Unreasonableness of Related Terms |
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