God's Calling
Jonah 1:1 Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,
Jonah 1:2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.
The word of God came to Jonah. God spoke directly to him, it doesn't say how. Maybe, in prayer, or in a dream or vision. Sometimes it is an impression, we are to act on these impressions. If God calls we are to respond.
In 2Kings, it describes Jonah as a prophet at the time of King Jeroboam.
2 Ki 14:25 ... according to the word of the LORD God of Israel, which he spake by the hand of his servant Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet, which was of Gathhepher.
Jonah was a prophet from Gathhepher, from the region of Galilee. A prophet is called to hear and speak God's word. This is not something learned in a school, or taught. It is a gift of God.
What was the word given to Jonah? Arise, a command to immediately get up, and go to Nineveh, that great city. Nineveh the capital city of Assyria; it was the largest city in the world at that time. The Assyrian empire was strong and cruel to those they took captive. They were the enemy of Israel.
...cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.
Jonah was called of God, to go to the great and terrible city of a Pagan empire, and cry against it. This was not to be the thoughts and words of Jonah, but he was to speak prophetically as God gave him the words, the message was of a warning to repent, for their wickedness had caught the attention of God. He was about to judge them, but was giving them a chance to repent of their ways. Jonah was chosen to deliver God's message.
How many of us would be obedient enough to go to a large city in a land that hated our country and our God? The question is, would you obey God, no matter what he asks you to do, even if your heart was fearful and you did not like the people? God wants an obedient people. If he is our Lord we must obey him and not allow anything to get in the way. He will give you the ability to do what he calls you to do.
Disobedient prophet
Jonah 1:3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
Jonah did not rush to fulfill God's command, instead he fled in the opposite direction. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish, down and to the West towards Spain. Nineveh was to the East. This was not a vacation cruise that he spent his money on, he was trying to run from God and his calling. Do we move with God or away from him?
Sin and disobedience separates you from God's presence. The first example of this is Adam and Eve, who hid themselves from the voice of God. Sin separates you from God, you will want to hide from him.
Gen 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
Psa 139:7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
Jonah 1:4 But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.
God controls the wind and the sea, so he could use these to show his displeasure, and to get the attention of a sinning Jonah. The ship was about to be broken. Isn't it also possible that God could use the winds and the sea to punish a disobedient people and call them to repentance? The hearts of a sinful nation must be broken and call out to God.
2 Chr 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Jonah was called to bring repentance and to heal a foreign land. The only prophet not sent to Israel. Our Lord is a merciful God. Through Abraham, all nations are blessed. Through Jesus all are blessed. For Nineveh it was to be through Jonah, also a son of Abraham.
Jonah 1:5 Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.
Jonah 1:6 So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.
There are similarities in the story of Jonah, to the life of Jesus. This book focuses on a disobedient man called of God, Jonah. Whereas Jesus was called by his Father and he was obedient. Both lived in the region of Galilee, Both were asleep in a boat in a storm. Jesus criticized the fearful crew for not having faith in their God, and then he spoke and the sea and the wind were at peace.( Mat 8:23-27) Jonah slept in disobedience and the crew who were Gentiles had more faith than he did, calling upon their gods. They were upset with Jonah for not calling out to his God.
The pagans sometimes show more zeal in trying to please their gods, who they fear and are in bondage to, than do the believers in the one true God. Do Christians fear God and seek to obey him? Or do most take him for granted, using him as a covering for their sins and a means for getting things? We are called out of the world to witness to the lost. We are either as our Lord, or as Jonah, running from our responsibilities and callings. It is the Lord who has chosen us to do his work, it is through his grace that we serve him. Wake up sleeper! Jonah needed to be awakened to his responsibility.
I fear the LORD
Jonah 1:7 And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.
It seems that casting lots was used even by the Hebrew priests to know the truth. Somewhat like flipping a coin or the throw of dice. Often the truth was found in this way. They trusted God to give them the answer. Casting lots was mentioned 70 times in the old testament and 7 times in the new testament.
Prov 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
Today if we are trusting the Lord, we may ask of the Lord and he will give us wisdom. The world looks to luck, chance and the lottery.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
The Lot fell on Jonah.
Jonah 1:8 Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou?
Jonah 1:9 And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.
He was a Hebrew prophet, he feared God, but did not obey him. That is strange isn't it? Perhaps the storm had shown him fear. Many ignor God and go their own way until something bad happens in their life, then they call out to God in fear. They fear death and from fear, come to God with vows of service. Love must come into our hearts before we can fear God with loving respect for who he is. The fear of God is a good fear. For he loves you and from love we wish to please him.
...the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.
The God of the Hebrews is the God of all creation. He controls the elements. They were concerned about this angry "sea God."
Jonah 1:10 Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.
Even those who do not know our God, are disappointed when we do not serve him. Their hope in something out their is taken away. If you truly believe in your God? Why do you act in such an unresponsible way? God is grieved by our careless attitude towards him and so is the world, that expects us to behave as one who believes. I remember when I was young and not going to church, saying to myself; I will get right with God when I am older. Even the heathens secretly hold onto the hope that there is something out there. If our light is almost out, that makes them think that there is nothing to come to later on. When trouble comes instead of running to you for help, they will come to you as they came to Jonah. Why have you done this? We are in peril because you are running from God. Would our country not be in better condition if the Christians really feared God, and through love wanted to do his will? What a difference that would make.
Into the Sea
Jonah 1:11 Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous.
Jonah 1:12 And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.
The sea was tempestuous and Jonah knew it was because he ran from God. The men asked him what they should do to remove God's wrath. Jonah said "cast me forth unto the sea" and the sea shall be calm. As Jesus was sacrificed to stay the wrath of God, Jonah would be cast in the depths. Jesus in obedience Jonah in disobedience. Why did he want to be cast into the sea? Was it that in rebellion he would rather die then witness to the people of Nineveh, who he hated? Or perhaps he was tired of running, and cast himself on the mercy of God, to save the ship?
1 Pet 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1 Pet 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Jonah 1:13 Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them.
The men tried their best to save the ship, with Jonah in it, but the sea was very much opposing their efforts.
Jonah 1:14 Wherefore they cried unto the LORD, and said, We beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee.
The men feared the God of Jonah but had nothing more they could do but cast Jonah overboard. One man would be sacrificed for the many. Somewhat like the story of Jesus dying for the sins of the people, only Jonah was the sinning one. Note the concern of the Gentiles, lay not upon us innocent blood. When Jesus was to die, the Jews present spoke in defiance.
Mat 27:25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
Jonah 1:15 So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging.
Jonah was no longer running, he was at God's mercy. The sea stopped its raging and all was calm. The sea had been calmed by the God who was responding to Jonah's lack of obedience. Jesus calmed the sea by speaking, He is God the Son.
Mark 4:38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
Mark 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Jesus spoke and God spoke to the sea and it was calm. Only God has control over the sea and the storms of life.
Three days and three nights
Jonah 1:16 Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows.
The sea became calm, if God can do that to the mighty sea, what could he do to someone who never worshipped him? The men feared the true and living God, offered sacrifices and made vows to him. God has his first fruits of repentance through Jonah, in spite of himself. Following the death of the Lord Jesus Christ, there were some who believed, also.
Mat 27:54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
Jonah 1:17 Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
God sent a fish to swallow and keep Jonah in the depths of the sea. Many unbelievers point to this verse to prove the Bible is but a fable, especially the story of Jonah. Those of faith accept God's word. Why would we not believe this story, when Jesus referred to it regarding his own coming death and resurrection?
Mat 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
Mat 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Even in this, Jonah was used to illustrate the gospel message; Jesus died for our sins and was planted in the grave. On the third day he arose out of the mouth of the cave. His work was finished, now many will know that he is the way of salvation.
Jonah, in whatever state of mind he was in, was held in the belly of a fish. He would learn obedience from this experience. We learn that God can use the most uncooperative servant to fulfill his plan. How much better for us if we cooperate and obey God? It is the work of God, not of man. Let each of us vow to serve God, and obey him with a willing heart.
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Jonah Chapters
Jonah 1
Jonah 2
Jonah 3
Jonah 4
Eaglewings Ministries