Jonah 1
We will be going through the book of Jonah over the next three weeks. Chapter 1 will be the focus this week. Jonah is mentioned as a prophet in 2nd Kings 14:25 and Jesus talked about Jonah in Matthew 12:39-41, 16:4, and Luke 11:29-32. We all know that Jonah ran from God's calling, but we really need to give Jonah some grace and look at the circumstances here. The city of Nineveh was an Assyrian city in modern-day Iraq. They were enemies, an extremely cruel people that were experts in torture. They were Gentiles, he would be alone in a foreign land, and it was far away, about 25 days by camel through unsafe areas. This may be the first time the Lord called a prophet to go to a foreign land to proclaim His word. Quite a call! You would be frightened too! If the Lord gave you a word and said go to Iraq or Syria and witness to Isis, would you go? If you haven't been in their position, be careful how you judge the men and women of the Bible.
1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah. I love that beginning! Are you walking with the Lord so He may speak to you? Are you spending time being still before Him and listening? We all need a word from the Lord. The Holy Spirit has a word for every believer in these troubling times that we are in right now.
2 Cry against Nineveh! Their wickedness has come up to God. Again, a very wicked place. Just like He did for us, God is going to give them a chance to turn from their wicked ways and repent. How could this be? How could God extend mercy to these barbarians? Jonah did not think they deserved it. Now, do you think any wickedness is going up to the Lord today? Absolutely! Is He still sending His people into the world? Yes! What about you? What are you doing for the Kingdom?
3 But Jonah rose up to flee. He didn't pray about it or set out a fleece, he was outa there! Jonah ran to Joppa and paid good money to get away from the Lord and go to Tarshish. Tarshish is modern-day Spain, pretty far away from Israel. Did Jonah know you could not get away from the presence of the Lord? Of course. He was a prophet. I believe he was totally overwhelmed and angry with the call.
4 The Lord is over the creation. Again, we can't get away from God. He was also pursuing the sailors too as we will see.
5 The sailors knew this was not an ordinary storm so they called on their gods. Jonah was asleep in the hold!
6 A good question! Get up and do something! We are perishing!
7 On whose account did this happen? There was a reason behind this storm. The lot fell to Jonah. There are various commentaries about the use of lots and what they were. We will focus on the fact that God controlled the outcome here for His purpose. Other places where God used lots are Joshua 7:18, Acts 1:26, and Esther 3:5-8.
8,9 Let's get into this dramatic life and death scene. A very fierce storm is threatening to sink the ship. The sailors are frightened and interrogating Jonah quite thoroughly. They are yelling out all these questions and expecting an answer immediately. Jonah replied that he was a Hebrew and feared the God that made the sea and dry land.
10 We can be sure the men knew of the God of Moses and Joshua and what He did to the pharaoh and the tribes in Canaan. So they were very afraid. The sailors seemed to have more sense than Jonah in this situation. They called on their gods, resorted to lots, and asked questions. Jonah was asleep! In our disobedience, we cannot think and act the way we should concerning God's will for our lives.
11 Out of respect and fear of the Lord, they asked Jonah what they should do to him so the sea would become calm. The sea was becoming increasingly stormy as they asked.
12 Jonah came to his senses and realized he had put these men in grave danger. The Lord gave Jonah a revelation of what to do and what would happen if they threw him overboard.
13 Now we have more disobedience. The men were not ready to be guilty of taking Jonah's life. So the storm grew even worse!
14 THEN they called on the Lord! They prayed and acknowledged Him as doing as He pleased. The Lord got Jonah's attention and got the sailors to call on Him.
15 He answers their prayers and cries. Can you imagine this scene? Can you imagine experiencing this? The sea became calm! This should sound familiar, Mark 4:36-41. Isn't this the faith the Lord wants from us? Obedience and calling on Him during the storms of life and the storms in the world. We all need to be calling on the Holy Spirit for a word for us, our country, and the world in these terrible, stressful, times. He is near!
16 I would think there were some conversions in that boat that day! When we get to our extremity this is God's opportunity to prove Himself faithful. A heart cry always goes up to God. It is good to consider that our obedience is not just for us, but always affects others around us and in the world. It will increase our faith and others faith as well. It will always build the Kingdom.
17 So, did Jonah get away from the Lord's presence? No, and neither can we. We may as well join Him in what He is doing and what He wants to do through us. As we close the chapter, the Lord has him right where He wants him. Okay Jonah you can't run now. I'm going to give you some time to think about what you have done, who's in charge, My grace and compassion, and Nineveh. Sometimes the Lord will put us in a place where we can think about His ways and His plans for our life. It usually will not be a pleasant place when we are running from Him. Let's not go there! He never calls us to a comfort zone, but He will be there with us and He will equip us to do it!
Things To Consider
Are you thankful for God's mercy and grace? Are you thankful He pursued you like Jonah and the sailors? He is good!
Are you spending time with the Lord and listening for a word from Him? He is waiting.
Have you been obedient when He speaks and leads?
Has your extremity ever been an opportunity for Him to prove Himself in your life?
If you are seeking God's will and direction for your life, we would love to talk to you!
God Bless You, Pastor John
1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah. I love that beginning! Are you walking with the Lord so He may speak to you? Are you spending time being still before Him and listening? We all need a word from the Lord. The Holy Spirit has a word for every believer in these troubling times that we are in right now.
2 Cry against Nineveh! Their wickedness has come up to God. Again, a very wicked place. Just like He did for us, God is going to give them a chance to turn from their wicked ways and repent. How could this be? How could God extend mercy to these barbarians? Jonah did not think they deserved it. Now, do you think any wickedness is going up to the Lord today? Absolutely! Is He still sending His people into the world? Yes! What about you? What are you doing for the Kingdom?
3 But Jonah rose up to flee. He didn't pray about it or set out a fleece, he was outa there! Jonah ran to Joppa and paid good money to get away from the Lord and go to Tarshish. Tarshish is modern-day Spain, pretty far away from Israel. Did Jonah know you could not get away from the presence of the Lord? Of course. He was a prophet. I believe he was totally overwhelmed and angry with the call.
4 The Lord is over the creation. Again, we can't get away from God. He was also pursuing the sailors too as we will see.
5 The sailors knew this was not an ordinary storm so they called on their gods. Jonah was asleep in the hold!
6 A good question! Get up and do something! We are perishing!
7 On whose account did this happen? There was a reason behind this storm. The lot fell to Jonah. There are various commentaries about the use of lots and what they were. We will focus on the fact that God controlled the outcome here for His purpose. Other places where God used lots are Joshua 7:18, Acts 1:26, and Esther 3:5-8.
8,9 Let's get into this dramatic life and death scene. A very fierce storm is threatening to sink the ship. The sailors are frightened and interrogating Jonah quite thoroughly. They are yelling out all these questions and expecting an answer immediately. Jonah replied that he was a Hebrew and feared the God that made the sea and dry land.
10 We can be sure the men knew of the God of Moses and Joshua and what He did to the pharaoh and the tribes in Canaan. So they were very afraid. The sailors seemed to have more sense than Jonah in this situation. They called on their gods, resorted to lots, and asked questions. Jonah was asleep! In our disobedience, we cannot think and act the way we should concerning God's will for our lives.
11 Out of respect and fear of the Lord, they asked Jonah what they should do to him so the sea would become calm. The sea was becoming increasingly stormy as they asked.
12 Jonah came to his senses and realized he had put these men in grave danger. The Lord gave Jonah a revelation of what to do and what would happen if they threw him overboard.
13 Now we have more disobedience. The men were not ready to be guilty of taking Jonah's life. So the storm grew even worse!
14 THEN they called on the Lord! They prayed and acknowledged Him as doing as He pleased. The Lord got Jonah's attention and got the sailors to call on Him.
15 He answers their prayers and cries. Can you imagine this scene? Can you imagine experiencing this? The sea became calm! This should sound familiar, Mark 4:36-41. Isn't this the faith the Lord wants from us? Obedience and calling on Him during the storms of life and the storms in the world. We all need to be calling on the Holy Spirit for a word for us, our country, and the world in these terrible, stressful, times. He is near!
16 I would think there were some conversions in that boat that day! When we get to our extremity this is God's opportunity to prove Himself faithful. A heart cry always goes up to God. It is good to consider that our obedience is not just for us, but always affects others around us and in the world. It will increase our faith and others faith as well. It will always build the Kingdom.
17 So, did Jonah get away from the Lord's presence? No, and neither can we. We may as well join Him in what He is doing and what He wants to do through us. As we close the chapter, the Lord has him right where He wants him. Okay Jonah you can't run now. I'm going to give you some time to think about what you have done, who's in charge, My grace and compassion, and Nineveh. Sometimes the Lord will put us in a place where we can think about His ways and His plans for our life. It usually will not be a pleasant place when we are running from Him. Let's not go there! He never calls us to a comfort zone, but He will be there with us and He will equip us to do it!
Things To Consider
Are you thankful for God's mercy and grace? Are you thankful He pursued you like Jonah and the sailors? He is good!
Are you spending time with the Lord and listening for a word from Him? He is waiting.
Have you been obedient when He speaks and leads?
Has your extremity ever been an opportunity for Him to prove Himself in your life?
If you are seeking God's will and direction for your life, we would love to talk to you!
God Bless You, Pastor John
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