In the first 14 verses, Paul celebrates his being made apostle to the Gentiles; he celebrates God's choosing us out before time began; he celebrates God's adoption of those he called out; he celebrates the redemption of all sinners who choose Jesus as Savior, and he celebrates the praise lifted to God.

This is an introduction to the life and city of the Ephesians, dominated by the temple of Artemis (or Diana). "Sacred prostitution, banking for the city, and being know as the protector of Ephesus, Artemis was a goddess whose temple was 4X the size of the Parthenon in Athens. Paul the Apostle came to proclaim the Risen Saviour to the Synagogues, and when rejected, he took over the School of Tyrranus to teach and disciple, reaching out too all of Asia Minor with the gospel message.

The LORD God had His prophet deliver the dire warning of "Yet 40 Days and Nineveh will be destoyed," but the people of the city repented of their wickedness and violence. The LORD God relented on His warning of destruction. Jonah was blazing angry, seeing God's hoice of mercy as evil. God asked Jonah if he had a right to be angry, and Jonah assured God that he was right in his hatred of the 120,000 souls in Nineveh. Jonah went out of the city and sat under a structure he built to watch for the fate of the City. The LORD appointed a plant, a worm, and a wind, all to get Jonah's attention.

Jonah obeys the LORD and goes to Nineveh to deliver God's message to the Assyrian city. One day's preaching results in the cities conviction for their wickedness and violence. They Assyrians set themself to fast and wear sackcloth, even the king.The cry from the city that had arisen before the LORD has changed, and He rescinds His judgment.

We begin this time with the LORD instructing the great fish to vomit up the prophet Jonah on dry land. Immediately following this, the LORD commissions Jonah to go the Ninevah, the second time. Then the Psalm of Jonah follows, cross referencing some 20 Psalms, but the prophet blames God for his circumstances. When he prays, he does not pray to the LORD in heaven, but to the Temple in Jerusalem, the only place he can conceive God's presence dwelling.

The prophet Jonah was commissioned to travel 550 miles to Ninevah, a mighty city in the Assyrian Empire, and proclaim to that city the coming judgment of Yahweh.Instead, Jonah fled to Joppa, chartered a ship, and went down into the hold as it departed for Tarshish, on the coast of Spain. A huge wind rose up and threatened to break the ship. The sailors cried out to their gods, threw the cargo overboard to lighten the ship, and finally desperately tried to row for the shore. Ultimately, they cried out to Jonah's God, Yahweh Elohim, before casting Jonah into the sea. The storm ceased immediately, and terrified the sailors.

Jonah was a prophet of Yahweh in the nation of Israel, after the 10 tribes split off of Judah, and worshipped the gold calf idols in Hebron and Dan. God's message was to Ninevah, in Assyria, one of Israel's enemies, that had made Israel a vassal nation. We all know the plot line for Jonah, but let's press in to Holy Spirit for what lies behind the plot.

Paul finishes his epistle to Timothy, and through him, to the Ephesian churches, with exhortations to Timothy to flee the false teachings and passion for quick wealth, while pursuing righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Then Paul turns to Timothy and imparts a title, "Man of God," on him while urging him to fight the good fight of faith. Then he addresses those in the churches that have wealth, and how to use it. He closes with "Grace be with you" to Timothy.

Paul addresses Timothy with the needs in the churches of Ephesus brought about by slaves and masters in the congregations. He then shifts over to pointing out a further set of errors by the false teaachers, this time in relationship to financial greed.

Paul is instructing Timothy, by Holy Spirit, regarding Church Discipline in the churches of Ephesus. Those Elders who lead well, teach the Word of God with passion and clarity, are due the double honor of financial support and honor for their position. Those elders charged with sin are to be accosted by two or three witnesses to clarify the events leading up to the accusation. If they repent, so be it. If they will not, they are to be rebuked in public. Paul urges Timothy to take great are of his own life, land to not lay hands quickly on repentant church folk.