The unfailing love of the Almighty God. VS. The flawed character of Jonah. Who will win?
I recently watched The Bible Project’s summary of the book of Jonah and this blog includes notes from that, as well as my own reflections.
Sometimes God calls us to situations or conversations that we would do anything to try and avoid. Jonah wasn’t alone in that. God told him to go to Nineveh, Jonah’s enemy. God called him to speak against Nineveh because of their wickedness. “But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish.” Jonah 1:3.
What we read next is an ironic realisation for Jonah. Here he was, stuck on a boat, in an enormous storm. The crew on-board cast lots (which is a bit like drawing straws) to see who was responsible for the storm. The blame fell to Jonah. The irony comes when he recognises that he is running from “the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land.” Jonah 1:9. He was trying to run from the very One who caused the storm he was caught up in. How ridiculous!
He told the crew to throw him overboard into the chaos. What appears to be a really noble, even heroic situation is actually cowardice. It looks like he would do anything, even face death, to avoid going to Ninevah and preaching to his enemies. Jonah 1:15 says “Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard and the raging sea grew calm.”
In God’s unfailing love he provided a large fish for Jonah to be protected in for three days. The essence of Jonah’s prayer in chapter 2 is this:
- You answered me (v2)
- You listened to my cry (v2b)
- You brought my life up from the pit (v6b)
- I will go to Ninevah (v9).
Then this verse comes along:
“Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.” Jonah 2:8
Perhaps Jonah’s pride was his idol? When we put anything above God, or focus on something more than God, we’re at risk of making it an idol. Even if it’s something that is good, like our health, or taking pride in our appearance, or our marriage, or the aussie dream of owning our own home. Whatever it is, if it’s taking up more time in our mind than honouring God, we are missing out on so much!
Jonah’s prayer refocused him and reminded him of who God is. So after being vomited up (quite a satirical story isn’t it), Jonah then goes to Nineveh. What follows isn’t how Jonah wanted it to play out. Perhaps he sabotaged his sermon in the hope that God would smite the Ninevites. He only said 8 words:
“Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned.” Jonah 3:4.
It shows that despite our human attempts, God will do whatever He wants to save all those He wants. It shows that although Jonah is the focus of the story, God’s unfailing love and plan for His people will always prevail, because immediately after Jonah’s words, “The Ninevites believed God.”
Jonah 4:1 shows how Jonah felt about their new found salvation. “Jonah was greatly displeased and he became angry.” How do we honestly feel about God being so “gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love?” (Jonah 4:2 and Exodus 34:6). Are we really ok with God loving our enemies? It doesn’t always sit right with us. But then again, who are we to tell God, the creator of the world who He can and can’t love, when He made all of us? And calls us all His children?
We, as humans can be so flaky. We can be unpredictable and ruled by irrational emotions. Yet our Heavenly Father’s love is unfailing. He pursues those He desires to pursue. He initiates relationships with all those whom He loves. Whether we are ready to accept it or not, God is always ready and willing to hear from us. It doesn’t matter what or who you’re running from. You just need to stop running and start talking to Him. He is listening.
“You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat…Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.” Psalm 25:4,9.
BB
