Jonah

One of the interesting things about the book of Jonah is that it discloses a different perspective than we normally have concerning God’s character.

In a previous program we saw how the people of Nineveh repented of their wickedness and how God relented from destroying them. Jonah chapter four, verses one through four says: “But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. He prayed to Yahweh [that is, God], and said, “Please, Yahweh, wasn’t this what I said when I was still in my own country? Therefore I hurried to flee to Tarshish, for I knew that you are a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and you relent of doing harm. Therefore now, Yahweh, take, I beg you, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.” Yahweh said, “Is it right for you to be angry?””

The book of Jonah chapter three, verses three through five tells us that, “Jonah arose, and went to Nineveh, according to the word of Yahweh [that is, God]... Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried out, and said, “In forty days, Nineveh will be overthrown!” The people of Nineveh believed God; and they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from their greatest even to their least”

One of the amazing things in God’s character is that He does not force himself upon us. He calls, and then waits for our response. With every call we are faced with a decision. There are basically two choices before us. We can either harden our hearts so that we do not heed the call, or we can obey.

Jonah chapter 2:1-10 says, “Then Jonah prayed to Yahweh, his God, out of the fish’s belly. He said, “I called because of my affliction to Yahweh. He answered me. Out of the belly of Sheol I cried. You heard my voice.

Sometimes it is difficult for us to understand why God is allowing something to occur in our lives. One reason may be that in order for someone else to draw close to God, God has to change our circumstances. One of the messages of the book of Jonah is that we need to broaden our horizons. We need to see less of ourselves, and more of the whole picture from God’s point of view.

It is often difficult for us to know whether God is leading us in a particular direction or whether we are merely following our own inclinations. Even when we know that God is leading, we sometimes have difficulty understanding just exactly what He is trying to say to us. Many times we seem to recognize God's leading only in retrospect.

The book of Jonah opens with these words: “Now the word of Yahweh [that is, God] came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach against it, for their wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of Yahweh. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid its fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of Yahweh.” (Jonah 1:1-3)

Most people, when they hear the name Jonah, think of the prophet who was swallowed by a fish. Unfortunately, they do not understand the real significance of the story or how it reveals the quality or nature of their faith.