GODS PREPARED PUNISHMENT Jonah 1 17 Jonah realized

GOD’S PREPARED PUNISHMENT Jonah 1: 17 Jonah realized his sin! He pronounced his own punishment (vs. 12) He thus admits HE DESERVES DEATH! Romans 6: 23

It was Jonah’s just reward God PREPARED a great fish/punishment Three days and three nights (Matthew 12: 40) For all Jonah knew … THIS WAS PERMANENT! How long was he there before he realized HE WAS NOT DEAD? It was a just reward for his iniquity! The environment was not made for mankind – it was prepared for Jonah’s punishment! He could reach no lower, be bound no tighter by GOD’S PUNISHMENT FOR SIN!

GOD PREPARED ETERNAL PUNISHMENT FOR SINNERS 1 John 1: 5 – 10 Sin DESERVES death Romans 6: 23 2 Thessalonians 1: 7 – 9 Sin separates us from God Isaiah 59: 1 – 2 Acts 17: 30 Matthew 25: 41 - 46

JONAH’S CRY OF REPENTANCE Jonah 2: 1 – 10 Such confinement allowed for NOTHING more than contemplation and sorrow for his sins. Did Jonah notice God’s MERCY for allowing him to live inside the whale? Jonah’s cry for repentance “I cried by REASON of mine affliction. ” God heard him. (vs. 2) He was suffering a JUST REWARD.

JONAH’S PROMISE TO SERVE GOD He waited until TROUBLE to ask God’s help! Jonah PROMISED a change (vs. 9) “I will pay that I have vowed. ” THIS IS A PATTERN FOR OUR LEARNING Repentance is COMMANDED (Acts 17: 30) 1 Peter 3: 10 – 17 Acts 2: 38

GOD SPEAKS TO THE FISH Imagine what a vile coming forth from a vile situation this was. WOULD IT HAVE BEEN BETTER TO REMAIN IN THE FISH? Coming forth from sin may be as vile: but is it better to stay in the sin? 1 Peter 2: 9 - 10