Rediscover Jonah — far more than a fish story.
A 30-day KJV Bible study devotional that takes you deep into one of the most misunderstood books in the Old Testament — obedience, mercy, God’s sovereignty, and second chances, woven through all four chapters of Jonah.
What you’ll experience each day
- A Bible verse (or two) from the book of Jonah, for the daily Bible study.
- Jonah (or someone else) Speaks — a bit of Biblical fiction that helps you get inside the mind of the actual Biblical characters.
- A Bible study on the verse(s) of the day, to help you understand the reading.
- A present-day application to help you apply this ancient narrative to your life today.
- Five related Scripture verses reinforcing the reading and its practical application.
- A suggested closing prayer to deepen your own communication with God.
What readers are saying
“It delves deeper and more effectively into the messages embedded within the Scriptures than any other devotional I have read in a long time. The prayers are outstanding.”
— D’anah, Australia“I really looked forward to reading Mary Jane’s book each morning. The format was easy to read and understand.”
— C.F., PennsylvaniaAbout the author
Mary Jane Humes
Mary Jane Humes has been teaching the Bible in various capacities since 1988. She reads, studies, and teaches exclusively from the King James Version of the Bible. After graduating from a Christian academy, she went to college to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology, and graduated with honors in Anthropology.
Mary Jane is the author of The Faith Series Devotionals, a series of 30-day KJV Bible devotionals that combine in-depth Bible study with daily devotional reading. Currently she teaches children’s Sunday school, plays the piano in worship services, and is a frequent speaker at ladies’ church events.
Her passion is making God’s Word accessible, joyful, and practical for everyday Christian living — which is exactly what The Faith Series Devotionals and her website BibleStudyJoy.com was created to do.
Not sure yet? Read Day 1 first.
Here’s the complete first chapter — Bible reading, Biblical fiction, Bible study, application, supporting Scripture, and the closing prayer — exactly as it appears in the book.
Read Day One: Jonah’s Orders
Bible Reading: Jonah 1:1–2
“Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.”
Jonah Speaks
“I was sitting down one day, just thinking about things here in Israel, when the LORD spoke to me. I knew His voice, and I understood His message perfectly, but I could hardly believe what He said to me! God knows I hate those wicked Assyrians with a passion. I don’t care if God destroys them! In fact, I wish He would!
I was afraid to sneak into the city, much less tell them that God was angry with them. Not only will they not listen to me, but they will surely torture and kill me as soon as I open my mouth. I know God is a God of mercy. He probably will not destroy Nineveh anyway, so I don’t know why He would need me to tell them that. I am an Israelite, a prophet to the Jewish people, so why did God get the idea to send me to these heathens?”
Bible Study
The Hebrew meaning of the name Jonah means “dove.” A dove is commonly used as a symbol of peace. Jonah’s father’s name was Amittai, which means “truth.” Jonah, the “dove,” was the son of “truth.” Although the book of Jonah is classified as one of the “Minor Prophets,” this book does not identify Jonah as a prophet, or a spokesperson for God, anywhere in this book. Nevertheless, God made sure that Jonah got his proper honor.
In 2 Kings 14:25, God identified Jonah as “his servant Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet, which was of Gathhepher” (2 Kings 14:25). The city of Gathhepher was in the same area as Nazareth. Moses, in his blessing to the children of Israel, said of those were of inhabited Zebulun to “rejoice in thy going out” (Deuteronomy 33:18). Both Jonah and Jesus “went out” from this general area. Many centuries later, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself also referred to Jonah as a prophet.
God instructed Jonah to go to Nineveh, the chief city of the Assyrians, (a major world power at that time), located in modern-day northern Iraq. According to historians, the perimeter of Nineveh was about fifty-eight miles and had 1,500 towers. The Assyrians were a violent race of people who had taken their wealth by plundering other peoples. Although Nineveh was a great city, the focus of God’s interest was not their greatness as a city, but rather, their great wickedness.
Life-Changing Application
The opening of the book of Jonah conveys an ancient concept that has not changed throughout the centuries, that is, the sinfulness of man, the love of a concerned, holy, and personal God, and a bridge between the two. Every day, we sin against God. We may excuse and re-label our sins, calling them “faults,” “shortcomings,” “mistakes,” “oversights,” or any other socially acceptable name.
But when we face God, then we will see our sin like He does; we will realize just how much of a problem they truly are. Thankfully, God offers an even greater solution. Our sin, no matter how great or small, is repulsive to a holy God. But that same personal, loving God Who cannot excuse sin, still aches to bring us sin-dirtied humans close to Him, and so He still, today, offers His message of love to us through His Word.
Today, we have the privilege of the completed Bible, (with the whole revealed mind of God), for us to bridge the gap between us and God. The words of God that we have today are far more complete than the message God gave to Jonah.
Since God gave us His Word, not only does He expect us to use it, but He also will use it Himself when He deals with us, not only in this present life, but especially when we face Him. The same Bible that God gave to us, He uses both now and in the future. When we face God after this physical life is over, He will open His Word, His Bible, and judge our life, actions, thoughts, and intentions from what He told us in His Word.
Our lives are like an open-book test in school. With an open book text, we are told to use it to get the right answers. If we follow the instructions and search the textbook, we will score well on our test, and even get rewarded after we complete it. When God gave us the test of life, He also gave us the instruction manual, which is His word, the Holy Bible.
Now, it is our responsibility to study His textbook, and to use His answers for the life that He gave us, to help us pass the tests. The Bible will pave the way for us after this life is over. God was serious enough to provide us with His message, the information that He wants us to know in order to score well with Him, both in this life and in the next. Now it is up to us to take the message that is contained in His Word seriously.
The LORD Speaks
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me so much, not only to give me life, but to be so concerned about me. You also gave me an instruction manual. Thank You for desiring me to find favor with Thee. Now help me every day to look to Thee, to use Your Word as a guide for my daily life and activities. Help me desire Your Word that never grows old, which You use to teach me, to expose my sinfulness, to encourage me, and to help me grow closer in my relationship with Thee. Let me see Your Word in a fresh light, and appreciate it more, even while I love both You and Your message in a greater way. In Christ’s Name, I ask this. Amen.
Common questions
What Bible translation does Jonah’s Faith use?
Every study is written from the King James Version. Author Mary Jane Humes reads, studies, and teaches exclusively from the KJV.
How long does each day’s study take?
About 9 minutes a day, covering a Bible reading, Jonah’s own perspective, a Bible study, life application, supporting Scripture, and a closing prayer.
Is “Jonah Speaks” based on Scripture?
No, those sections are Biblical fiction. Mary Jane Humes uses a first-person narrative to help you get into the mind of Jonah, while every Bible study and cited verse in the devotional comes straight from Scripture.
Is Jonah’s Faith meant for individual or group study?
Both. It works well as a personal daily devotional or as a 30-day study for a small group.
Where does Jonah’s Faith fit in the Faith Series?
It’s the fifth book in the series, following Naaman’s Faith, David’s Faith, Esther’s Faith, Joseph’s Faith, and Abraham’s Faith.
Complete the Faith Series
Jonah’s Faith is the fifth devotional in the series. Every title is available in paperback and e-book.
Begin your 30 days with Jonah
Every chapter pairs Scripture with Bible study and a prayer to draw you closer to God — start today, in paperback or e-book.