Most people remember Jonah as a children's story about a man and a big fish.

But in our next series, Chuck Swindall reveals something shocking.

This prophet of God sparked the greatest revival in human history,

yet he still couldn't overcome his hidden sins.

Today on Insight for Living, Chuck Swindall begins his next study by exposing both sides of

Jonah's character. A committed man of God, Jonah's secret life was riddled with sin and resistance.

This dichotomy provides a colorful illustration of man's sin and God's

radical mercy. Chuck titled his first message, Jonah, the reluctant prophet.

The Book of Jonah, please turn in your Bibles to this Old Testament prophet.

It's probably been a long time since you have heard a message out of Jonah.

In fact, if Jonah is ever referred to, it is often with a skeptical kind of comment or even a joke.

I spoke with a young man who was taking a religion course along with his other

involvements in the university here in the Metroplex several years ago and he said,

I'll tell you, our religion prof has had quite a time going through the Bible and picking on places like Noah and the Ark

and the whole idea of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, but he said,

I'll tell you, when he got to Jonah, he had a field day.

When he came to the fish that swallowed Jonah, it was like half the classes in laughter. Regrettably, some books are

battered and bruised. If bruises could show Jonah would be black and blue because most folks

don't have a clue what the book is about behind the scenes

and don't realize how relevant and real the message is.

Even the miracles in it, notwithstanding, most don't realize the greatest revival in the history of the world is recorded in Jonah.

And there it is for us to see, and not even that was enough to convince Jonah to break free from his prejudice, which was severe.

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