JONAH-THE reluctant MESSENGER (PART I)

Often when we read Biblical stories, we are amazed at how God helps us understand his true nature through their character, heroism and failures.

But what I like, about the book Jonah, is God's eternal love and faithfulness. God’s perfect work through imperfect people. Let me just share my Lord's amazing nature with you, which I discovered while reading the first chapter from the book of Jonah.

1) God of Israel saving Israel's deadliest enemy.

BIBLE: -

Nineveh, The great city, was the deadliest enemy of Israel. Yet God of Israel wants them to repent and be saved. "He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. (Psalms 103-10)"

WE: -

What a welcome by God as you just start reading the passage! We have hope in Jesus. Seeds of Abraham are considered as Israel. Our God is an impartial God. Our lifestyle may be a threat to many God's Children. Maybe through our words or by our actions. But our Lord isn't a Lord of destruction but God of Blessings. He does not believe in eradication but edification.

2) Jonah disobeys God.

BIBLE: -

"But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa".

WE: -

What made Jonah disobey God's word? Jonah was a person whose facts were so clear and who had a firm faith in God's existence and true nature. How? Let's see.

* "I fear the Lord, the God of Heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land. (Jonah 1:9)"

* "For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them. (Jonah 1:10)"

* "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. (Jonah 1:12)"

That is how the evil spirit works in our life. We know we worship Lord, the creator. We know we flee from Lord's presence because we want to stick to our own terms. We also know that part of our afflictions and sorrows is a consequence of our sin and we need to repent over it.

But like Jonah, we would rather sink in the depths of ocean than to cry out to Lord!

3) God teaches Jonah obedience.

BIBLE: -

"The Lord detests all the proud of heart... (Proverbs 16:5)". "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. (Philippians 2:3)"

WE:-

Jonah might have a desire to be a great prophet. He might have thought,”what if I just cry out against Nineveh, they repent, God forgives...then???What about me? What if one out of the 1,20,000 people in Nineveh, think that he is not a good prophet? But such problem is common with every flesh. Keep aside the thoughts of Jonah. Let’s see what Lord is thinking...

Wow! My Lord you are great! Already you decided to forgive Nineveh-the ignorant! But your grace is so great master! You took a step forward to save Jonah-the arrogant.

You took this opportunity to teach him great lessons of his career as a Prophet. First, selfish ambition is not good. Second, detest all the proud of heart.

4) God saves Mariners.

BIBLE: -

"Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows. (Jonah 1:16)".

WE:-

Mariners, here, are portrayed as good people. They pray to their gods. They don't want to kill Jonah. They offered prayer before throwing him. And the most important part, the moment God revealed his glory to them; they received it and worshipped him."

Indeed, Bible brings good news for us. We have hope in our God. Keep on praying and repent over our sins. Because God knows how we're made, God remembers we're just dust and a fallen creature. Our God is an awesome God! All glory and praises to him and to him alone! AMEN!