Jonah’s deep resentment toward the brutal Assyrians caused him not only to say “no” to God’s command to go to Nineveh but it caused him to go the exact opposite direction. As a result, Jonah bought a ticket and boarded a ship going away from Nineveh. He then went down into the boat and fell fast asleep, feeling he had somehow outwitted a God who knows all things, sees all things and is present everywhere all at the same time. But is it possible for someone to flee the presence of the Lord as Jonah tried to do?
The Bible teaches that the Lord “hurled” a storm unto the sea. The experienced sailors knew this was no ordinary storm and that their lives were in grave danger. They cried out to their gods for help but to no avail. As a last resort they threw all the cargo overboard, forfeiting all profits in a futile attempt to keep the ship from sinking. But where was Jonah during this storm? He was asleep in the bottom of the boat. There is a principle I learn from this. It is possible, at first, for someone to be content even though they are out of the will of God. On multiple occasions as I talk with people who are choosing to disobey God, one of the reasons they give is that they are happier than they have ever been in their lives. But in the end, this temporary satisfaction will come to an abrupt end and the reality of sin’s consequences will become real and painful.
The captain of the ship goes below deck and wakes up the sleeping prophet and begs him to pray to his god for their survival. How amazing is that? A heathen sailor had to ask a prophet of God to please pray. But yet, we shouldn’t be too surprised. When you are trying to flee the presence of the Lord you quickly cut out all communication with God.
The sailors realize that this storm must be the result of an angry God. They cast lots to see which of them were at fault and the lot fell on Jonah. The sailors quickly question Jonah and discover that he is fleeing from the God of Israel. Their fear grows now that they know the reason for the storm. They can’t conceive why Jonah would disobey his God. The intensity of the storm is now increasing and they ask Jonah what could be done to appease his God. Jonah admits his guilt and advices them to throw him overboard.
The sailors first try rowing out of the storm. Now compare these heathen’s compassion for Jonah with Jonah’s compassion for the city of Nineveh. Their attempts to row out of the storm make no progress. It is obvious to them that death is imminent. As a last resort, Jonah is thrown overboard and the sea and storm immediately calms. When the mariners see the miracle of the immediate calming of the sea they are converted.
But what happened to Jonah? The Bible teaches that God prepared a great fish (sea monster, Matthew 12:40) to swallow Jonah (Luke 15:15-16). This doesn’t mean that this large fish was created for just that purpose. Rather, it means that God arranged for the fish to be in the right place at the right time. He spoke to the fish and it did exactly what its Creator instructed. Perhaps that is the most staggering principle of all. Though out of God’s will, Jonah was never out of His care.
The Bible teaches that the Lord “hurled” a storm unto the sea. The experienced sailors knew this was no ordinary storm and that their lives were in grave danger. They cried out to their gods for help but to no avail. As a last resort they threw all the cargo overboard, forfeiting all profits in a futile attempt to keep the ship from sinking. But where was Jonah during this storm? He was asleep in the bottom of the boat. There is a principle I learn from this. It is possible, at first, for someone to be content even though they are out of the will of God. On multiple occasions as I talk with people who are choosing to disobey God, one of the reasons they give is that they are happier than they have ever been in their lives. But in the end, this temporary satisfaction will come to an abrupt end and the reality of sin’s consequences will become real and painful.
The captain of the ship goes below deck and wakes up the sleeping prophet and begs him to pray to his god for their survival. How amazing is that? A heathen sailor had to ask a prophet of God to please pray. But yet, we shouldn’t be too surprised. When you are trying to flee the presence of the Lord you quickly cut out all communication with God.
The sailors realize that this storm must be the result of an angry God. They cast lots to see which of them were at fault and the lot fell on Jonah. The sailors quickly question Jonah and discover that he is fleeing from the God of Israel. Their fear grows now that they know the reason for the storm. They can’t conceive why Jonah would disobey his God. The intensity of the storm is now increasing and they ask Jonah what could be done to appease his God. Jonah admits his guilt and advices them to throw him overboard.
The sailors first try rowing out of the storm. Now compare these heathen’s compassion for Jonah with Jonah’s compassion for the city of Nineveh. Their attempts to row out of the storm make no progress. It is obvious to them that death is imminent. As a last resort, Jonah is thrown overboard and the sea and storm immediately calms. When the mariners see the miracle of the immediate calming of the sea they are converted.
But what happened to Jonah? The Bible teaches that God prepared a great fish (sea monster, Matthew 12:40) to swallow Jonah (Luke 15:15-16). This doesn’t mean that this large fish was created for just that purpose. Rather, it means that God arranged for the fish to be in the right place at the right time. He spoke to the fish and it did exactly what its Creator instructed. Perhaps that is the most staggering principle of all. Though out of God’s will, Jonah was never out of His care.
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