Jonah was one who believed strongly in God, however, he was immature, suicidal and often depressed. Even though God used him mightily, Jonah had an immature response to His call. God still used him. God will use you, despite your faults.
Interesting facts about Jonah are:
- God spoke to him.
- Jonah was told specifically where to go: Ninevah
- What to do: cry out against it
- The reason for the action: they were wicked before God
- Ninevah was founded by Nimrod who was a very evil man.
- Jonah responded to God's call by fleeing [an immature response] to Tarshish which means a smelting pot, refinery, and was place where there was a mix of many cultures. It was "by way of Joppa" which means beauty.
God gives us direction; we try to find beauty or satisfaction in going a different direction resulting in God "refining" us. We think we are fleeing, away from God, but we are fleeing right into his refinery. God's purpose is to make something beautiful out of our life.
God responded to Jonah by using the elements, wind, waves, and storm... we often think God does things 'supernaturally' but if you look at Scripture, he often does them naturally. It may be so the unbeliever will not see anything out of the norm and it will cause them and the believer to react by faith and not due to unnatural phenomenon or a 'religious experience'.
God caused the ship that Jonah was in to sink. A man's normal response to this type of disaster is to fear, fight or flee from the elements. Jonah responded by falling asleep. Sleeping during a crisis is often due to depression.
The response of the sailors was to call out to God.
Note that the ungodly men were able to discern God's will. Even the ungodly are given God's enlightenment if it will result in His glory. We need to remember this when a non-Christian boss, parents or the government tries to direct us.
Jonah became suicidal. This is sometimes what we sometimes feel when we do not following God's will.
v.16 The result was that God was known as the Lord.
Jonah was thrown into the sea. That meant death to him. That sea is very big. There was no hope for his survival. When he told the sailors to throw him into the sea, it was because he felt he should die. When he was swallowed up, he realized that he was really gone. Inside the fish, there was no hope that he could at the very least, tread water. He prayed and then repented rethink. He broke and had his first discourse with God.
God spoke back and Jonah moved. He had a tender heart.
When he finally went to Ninevah, he spoke and the people of Ninevah believed. He spoke with authority.
God's decision to spare Ninevah displeased Jonah and he became angry.
Jonah knew God's heart, that He was gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, abundant in loving kindness, relents of calamity.
Think about this list and ask yourself how you display those characteristics to your family members. We need first to practice them at home before we do it out in the world. The home is God's training ground for us before we are able to go into the world to share His love. If we aren't doing it at home, we best not fool ourselves into thinking we can do it in the world.
In 4:1, after God relented, Jonah was displeased and his displeasure turned to anger. Do you ever see this in you, when God does something you disagree with? Do you ever get angry when things don't go your way? I do.
In v.2, he has his second discourse with God. Remember the first was one of seeking God when he was in trouble and now that he is safe, he is angry with God. He says, "I fled to Tarshish in order to forestall this". That was not the reason but he has turned it around in his own mind to JUSTIFY his behavior.
In 1:3 it says that he "fled from the presence of the Lord", it had nothing to do with forestalling this.
Have you ever done that, changed things around to justify your behavior?
After he lied, v.3 indicates that he became suicidal. Have you ever done this, not be up front with God then feel like dying. I think this is a very important part of this text. The next time you feel like Jonah did, ask yourself, "did God give me some direction and I am bucking Him".
4.5-Jonah made a shelter for himself. We often try to cover ourselves with things, habits, and activities to redirect our focus and feelings.
God, in His benevolence, caused a plant to grow to shade him. Jonah was elated but God caused a worm to destroy the plant a dry hot wind to blow. Jonah again became angry and wanted to die. God related his emotion for the plant to that of His to the people of Ninevah.
God's wrath and compassion are illustrated here as are Jonah's 'roller coaster' emotions, anger, and suicidal ideation.
v.11, God brings logic, conclusion, and closure.
What do you think about:
Jesus' references to Jonah in Matthew 16:4.
Jonah being a 'sign' to the Ninevites as Christ is to this generation. Luke 11:30
