Scripture References:
Psalm 139: 7-10 (NKJV)
Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are here. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10 Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.
Jonah 1;1-10 (NKJV)
1 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.” 3 But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. 4 But the Lord sent out a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was about to be broken up. 5 Then the mariners were afraid; and every man cried out to his god, and threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea, to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down into the lowest parts of the ship, had lain down, and was fast asleep. 6 So the captain came to him, and said to him, “What do you mean, sleeper? Arise, call on your God; perhaps your God will consider us, so that we may not perish.” 7 And they said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this trouble has come upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. 8 Then they said to him, “Please tell us! For whose cause is this trouble upon us? What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?” 9 So he said to them, “I am a Hebrew; and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.”10 Then the men were exceedingly afraid, and said to him, “Why have you done this?” For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them.
Often, we see toddlers scurrying away from grownups. Their limbs are not yet long enough, and neither is their insight deep enough for them to realize their limitations. They think they can and so they decide to engage in the challenge to escape.
Jonah, a prophet from Northern Israel, was accustomed to hearing God’s voice. That was commonplace for him, so he displayed a bit of familiarity. He did not stop to consider that he could not battle with God. He had a mind of his own. There was an urgent need for evangelization in Nineveh, North East of Jonah’s town. He decided that that was not his responsibility. Surely, God would send someone else.
As a prophet, it should have been commonplace for Jonah to hear and obey God’s voice. (2 Kings 14: 25, 21). When did God ever ask our permission to commission us? Did Jonah consider both the omnipresent and omniscient nature of God? Even our very thoughts are in neon lights to God before we speak. With that knowledge, it seems very important for us to think right thoughts.
In the same way we cannot separate wetness from water, we cannot grasp the essence of God. If the existence of air in all places, can be explained, then we can also explain the presence of God. A sense, a flow, an effect, an awareness are responses to a presence. It is both invisible and intangible, but we discern it. The psalmist David lists many impossible feats and then declares that even if they could be accomplished, God’s presence would be there. Even darkness is like a spotlight to God. (Psalm 139:7-10)
The prophet, Jonah seemingly forgot those facts and so he had some information for God who gave him a command. As we read the scripture references, we find that Jonah thought he knew what was best for him and what direction his life should take. From whatever position Jonah reclined, God told him to arise. Whether he was asleep or in his comfort zone, he was told to arise.
The given instructions were both specific and detailed. There was neither any mistake about the place nor what he should do once he got there. The reproach of Nineveh’s sin would not be ignored by the Almighty, (Proverbs 14: 34). After such detailed information, Jonah decided to partially obey. He got up just like he was told, but on second thought, he headed in a different direction. Instead of going to the North East, he headed West. He erroneously set out to prove that God’s presence was neither in Joppa (a Seaport in Israel), nor in Tarshish.
Conveniently, Jonah arrived at Joppa in time to board the next ship to Tarshish, his intended destination. Imagine his excitement when he could afford to pay the fare! Everything seemed to be perfect for Jonah to run away. He found a comfortable place down in the ship. When we look for signs to prove to ourselves that our actions are in God’s perfect will, it is advisable to listen for the voice that seems to ask, “Has God said …?” (Genesis 3:1)
What causes a man of God to disregard the fact that the nation was steeped in sin? When our heart is in the right place, our priority is to sound the alarm. What was it about Tarshish that Jonah was so convinced that God’s presence was absent? Something enticed him and became more intriguing than God’s way. When we find ourselves in a place where we become numb to God’s very existence, we shush the voice of the Holy Spirit. Then we should be prepared to pay the fare.
The Lord wins every battle, regardless of who the opponent may be, (2 Chron. 20:15; Eph. 6:12)). The reality was that Jonah could not separate himself from his conscience. Neither can we! The Lord commanded. Jonah reacted. The Lord responded. The sailors feared. There is a resulting trickledown effect, that is caused by disobedience.
The sailors were executing their legal business venture, unaware of Jonah’s plan. Yet, they could not escape his consequences. They lost their cargo and their time, embraced fear, and solicited their idols for assistance. Meanwhile, Jonah was in the side of the ship, deep in repose. His indifference to the state of the Ninevites, as well as the dangerous storm, would not go unnoticed. He could not call on God, who, as far as he was concerned, was not present. After all, wasn’t he running away from God’s presence? Does that seem familiar?
Time and again, we see nature obeying God’s command, (Jonah 1: 4; Mark 4:39). Have we been given dominion over nature? Therefore, are we not required to obey the One who gave us the dominion? How can we ignore God, and sleep while He is upsetting everything that we feel comfortable about? Isn’t it time to ask Him to remember us, so we will walk in His will? Jonah’s existence was on a slippery slope, but he was not ready to acknowledge that the uneasiness in his life and the sailors’, was caused by his trying to avoid God. Peace of mind was not to be found for Jonah, so he confessed that his actions did not represent Christ very well.
Then, the sailors, though unbelievers, did not want Jonah hanging around them anymore. He was trouble. Isn’t that disheartening that that’s the way we are seen when we are running away from God? So, the sailors chose to expel him from their company. Seemingly, he had nothing they wanted. Before we label Jonah, STOP! Do unbelievers recognize our allegiance to Christ? Do they crave a relationship with Him, because of our silent message?
It seems that Jonah truly thought that there was a place that he could escape God’s presence, so he chose his own punishment. He wanted to to be tossed overboard, although he was not planning to swim. He preferred to die rather than to go to that wicked place, Nineveh. Self-righteousness, selfishness, and pride reared their ugly head in Jonah. He just knew that he was better than the people of Nineveh.
The sailors tried desperately to save themselves and Jonah. Their self-talk may have reasoned that, they would return him to land. Maybe they would let him compensate them for their lost time, lost wages and merchandise. It was not to be so! Then they acknowledged the work of the true God, (v. 14). God, they thought, did what He pleased. Then Jonah was tossed overboard.
The newly found, three-day motel was the belly of a great fish. Circumstances waited to swallow Jonah because he insisted on navigating his own path. That insistence brought him, the prophet, the believer, to be prostrate before the Lord. Prior to that, he had his own plans, but now he was forced to pray. Jonah really felt as if he was unseen by God, although he was certain that God heard his cry of surrender.
The genuineness of the prophet’s prayer resulted in God’s mercifulness towards him. He ended up on land, although not by his previously intended mode of transportation. (Jonah 2:10). God commissioned Jonah again. This time, Jonah complied and even the king of Nineveh fasted and prayed, repented in sackcloth and ashes, and turned from wickedness. Here we see 2 Chronicles 7: 14, fulfilled. God was then merciful to the people, much to Jonah’s anger. (Jonah 4: 1-3).
Let us map Jonah’s journey to escape: God’s command to Jonah (1: 2); Jonah’s devised plan (1: 3); storm at sea (1: 4); Jonah’s confession and resolve (1: 9, 12); Jonah forced to pray (2: 1-9); Jonah back on land (2: 10) Jonah’s second chance (3: 1-5); Jonah’s anger (4: 1-3). What a journey when we run away!
Jonah felt justified about being angry. Pride reasoned that God should not prove him, Jonah, to be a liar. He was a prophet and had to protect his reputation. Was God aware of that? Jonah knew that the forgiving God that he worshipped, would have been merciful to the Ninevites. He projected that they would repent, God would spare them, and he would be embarrassed before them. Apparently, saving face was more valuable to Jonah, than saving souls. To minimize the value of souls, is a level of all time low, but it is rock bottom, when Jonah devalued himself so much, he was willing to die. Jonah’s prime concern was running away, NOT staying alive.
The purpose of the story is not a matter of Jonah’s dishonor. Instead, it is a display of God’s grace, mercy and kindness for repentant people. God met Jonah at the point of his despair. When things become more valuable than souls, we have a problem. If we obey God’s voice, without giving Him our input, most assuredly, He puts all the puzzle pieces together.
God will always have the last say so, therefore we should model obedience. Jonah could have self-talked: “Is that all you have God? Mercy? Well, I’ll give YOU a second opinion. Mine! I have a death wish. I would rather die than see Nineveh spared.” That, my friend, is the depth to which Jonah had sunken because he chose to run away.
Dr. O. A. James
REFLECTION
What fare are we willing to pay for running away from God’s will?
Dr. O.A. James