WHY DID JONAH FLEE?
First let’s look at a summary of his story in each chapter.
Chapter one, Jonah and the storm!
Chapter two, Jonah and the fish!
Chapter three, Jonah and the city!
Chapter four, Jonah and the Lord!
In these four chapters we have Jonah’s,
1.Disobedience.
2. Preservation.
3.Proclamation.
4.Correction.
Now why did he flee from God’s instructions? We need to understand his character.
This is one view”
He was a solidly good person and open to conviction. But habitually angry and hot-tempered and morose (sullen) and apt to view things in negative and most gloomy aspects.”
Isn’t it easy to sum people up to our idea of them, then spread our opinions to others.
This is “not” a true picture of Jonah. Because he did not display any fear on the boat. He was fearless of death urging the Sailors to throw him overboard.
Nor was it anti-Gentile prejudice. He actually shows compassion toward the idol worshipping Gentile sailors, willing to even die for their safety.
He was not only willing to sacrifice his reputation but his life for the distressed mariners.
What then was the real reason as to why he fled instead of delivering his message to Nineveh? The answer is found in his own words. He says to God.
“Therefore l fled to Nineveh, because I knew that You are a,
“GRACIOUS GOD, SLOW TO GET ANGRY AND SO VERY KIND THAT YOU CHANGED YOUR MIND CONCERNING NINEVAH”
Nothing could be more franker, Jonah did not want God to spare Ninevah at all! Why? He knew that Assyria would as a rising power that would destroy Israel.
The Assyrians were a brutal enemy and hideously cruel to those they destroyed. There was no pity and they used severe punishments and cruel torture to cause horror and death. These awful ways of killing people l will not describe as it is too dreadful a picture to leave in your mind.
Jonah was aware of the Assyrians and how brutal they were. Read, if you will, Nahum chapter three verses 1:4-19 to give you some idea of how Jonah felt about the Babylonians.
When he did try to escape God’s presence, he really should have thought, “l really cannot go where God is not!” He is Omnipresent. ( Everywhere at the same time.) Nahum felt as Jonah did about them.
Other Prophets such as Isaiah, Hosea and Amos tell of the Judgement of God upon Israel and the surrounding Nations.
Jonah knew if Nineveh cried out to God at the eleventh hour, they would be spared and he did not want this to happen.
He risked everything so that Nineveh would be destroyed. (and Israel saved.)
This being true we put Jonah up where he belongs.
He belongs with Moses who prayed,
“If You will forgive their sins, if not blot me out of your book.”
With Paul who said,
“l wish that l were accursed from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.”
Then our lovely Lord Jesus, who cried from the cross,
“FATHER FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY DON’T KNOW WHAT THE ARE DOING.”
With all this, it does not justify his disobedience! How could he have thought that one man’s actions could change the purposes of God for nations!
Remember the old song we used to sing…
“TRUST AND OBEY THERE IS “NO OTHER WAY!”
You must focus upon the Lord Jesus, fix your heart ❤️ upon Him.
DIVINE, COMPASSIONATE HEART OF GOD.
Remember our study on Psalm 139. God is all knowing and you can’t hide from HIm!
No-one can escape His presence.
This is a valuable reminder when praying for a lost loved one. We need to remember that we are true messengers of the Grace of the Gospel of Jesus.
We are all called to be ambassadors to the sinning, struggling, sorrowing men and women, who need need His Grace for Deliverence, Salvation and Healing.
Dear Christian, it is our ‘call and responsibilitiy’ to share the Gospel of Christ to those whom God sends across your path.
You can’t take anything to Heaven with you when you die only Souls, Souls … and more Souls.
They are your greatest treasure and they are eternal and will not corrupt as your richest treasure on Earth.
Jesus Christ, before He ascended to Heaven, commanded the disciples and us who follow Him to:
“GO ALL OF YOU INTO THE 🌍 World AND PREACH THE GOSPEL, LOOK ‘I AM’ WITH YOU ALWAYS EVEN TO THE END OF THIS AGE!”
HEY FRIENDS NO GO! NO LO!
AMEN.
There is so much we can learn from these great men of God. Like us, they had their doubts and fears, weaknesses and strengths.
With all their struggles, they obeyed God’s Commands. So should we!
Amen.
If you would care to support this ministry financially. You can contact me by Email…
heatherdalzell777@gmail.com
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Phone 6104 17 545 814.
Thank you and may blessings from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you always.
Amen.
“BECAUSE THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD… How can I, “LACK ANY GOOD THING.”
Psalm 23:1.
Light in the Darkness! 