God calls this prophet to deliver a message of judgment to a metropolis,
Ninevah. Jonah runs the other way. He pays for a boat trip and takes a
nap. In the middle of his trip the lives of everyone on board are
jeopardized by a deadly storm. Jonah is oblivious of the peril until the
captain wakes him. As they all pray to their gods they draw straws to
see who "is responsible." Jonah draws the short stick. They interrogate
him intensely to get to the source of the matter. The final question is,
"What should we do to you?" They do not like Jonah's idea - to kill him
in the sea. They feel they will be held responsible and punished for
taking this man's life. As the waves continue to threaten their lives,
they resolve to comply, praying to Jonah's God for redemption. As Jonah
fades away in the waves, the storm resolves, and the sailors are amazed.
A
large fish (probably a whale but maybe a really large mouth bass)
swallows Jonah and keeps him in his gut for three days, undigested.
Jonah, in a sea sick state of desperation, cries out to God, making
restitution. God delivers him onto dry land so that Jonah can deliver
his message.
Upon arriving Jonah begins to spread the word of
impending judgment in 40 days. The people move to repentance
immediately. As the king gets word he too makes contrition and calls the
people to fast and pray seeking God's mercy. God delivers just that,
mercy.
Jonah is upset and does not like the response. He goes
outside of the city to pout. God provides relief from the heat for Jonah
through a vine. Jonah is happy about the vine. The next day it dies.
Jonah is ticked off so bad he "could die." God responds by questioning
Jonah. "Are you seriously mad about the vine?" Then He goes on to say
that Jonah is so concerned about this vine (that he had nothing to do
with) and there are a 120,000 people in Ninevah that need a right
relationship with God; this is what God is concerned about.
Great story and even greater call to us.
What are you running from God for?
What has caused you to ignore His command? Matt 7:26-27 reminds us the
foolish man is the one who hears God's words and does not put them into
practice.
How do you respond to conviction? Both
Jonah and the Ninevites responded appropriately, with repentance,
commitment, and urgency. Jonah jumped ship and fulfilled what God had
asked. The Ninevites fasted and prayed in addition to their repentance.
Matt 18:8-9 tells us to deal with our sins thoroughly. It is better to
enter eternal life disfigured than go to hell all in one piece.
What is your attitude towards others?
How do you react to people who sin differently than you? I hope it is
with grace and mercy but I know we tend to judge and be upset. Romans
3:23 tells us we are ALL on the same level, sinners. Matt 7:3-5 reminds
us to deal with the issues in our own life, even the smallest "speck" or
sin, before we even think about taking care of someone else's grotesque
sins.
What are you concerned about? Do earthly
things and personal issues consume your thoughts and attitudes? Do you
get bent out of shape when things do not go your way? What right do we
have to get mad about these things that have no lasting effect on
eternity, that we had nothing to do with in the first place? Are you
concerned at all about people who do not know Jesus? Matt 6:19-21 gives
us a clear picture of where our focus should be, on heavenly things
where treasure is not destroyed, instead of earthly things that ALL GET
DESTROYED.
As we start this series:
Stop Running.
Respond Urgently.
Extend Grace.
Pursue Eternity.
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