BY Raechel Myers
Text: Jonah 1:1-3
The book of Jonah begins typically enough. Another prophet, another message of repentance from God to be communicated to the world. It’s like the beginning of a favorite, familiar song opening softly on your stereo…
Then the record screeches to a halt.
In an unprecedented turn of events – the prophet Jonah hears the Lord’s message and… bluntly refuses! He doesn’t simply squirm like Moses and Elijah and Jeremiah when the Lord called them to something beyond their wheelhouse – Jonah straight up does not approve this message. And he is absolutely not going to perform his prophetly duties and convey God’s words to the wandering hearts of the Ninevites.
We know about Jonah, most of us. We know that God called Jonah to preach repentance to a crazy-wicked city and that Jonah disobeyed because he didn’t think these people deserved God’s mercy. But before we read further into this book, I think we ought to break out a map, outlining in black and white Jonah’s heart-and-body response to God’s calling.
(It’s possible that Jonah’s physical journey might look surprisingly similar to some our own heart-journeys.)
Used with permission [source]
Do you see what I see? It takes very little explanation, really. God spoke to Jonah in the general vicinity of Joppa (point A), Jonah barely glances east toward Nineveh (point B), before he boards the nearest boat headed as far west as he can imagine (point C).
Have you ever fled from the Lord? Ever sensed a strong tugging from the Holy Spirit, but chose to run in the opposite direction?
This is where we’ll leave Jonah today.
Where will we find you?
Sisters, I encourage you to sit in quiet for a while right now. Tune out distractions and pray.
Ask the Lord where He has called you and you have not obeyed. Repent of your disobedience and be forgiven.
Consider the places and people to which He has called you and you have responded with obedience. Praise Him for His direction.
Ask the Father where He would lead you now. Who needs to hear the important message of mercy today?
Now, go in obedience! Share the message of God’s mercy that is just as much for the world as it is for your own soul.
74 thoughts on "the prophet who ran"
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I don’t agree: http://www.oldsalem.org/files/2015/02/twincityflowershowschedule2-17-2015.pdf
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I ran for four years of my life. I thank God that I am back, and thank you sisters for this study. Jonah is so so relevant to my life. I experienced God's mercy firsthand a couple months ago, when his love and mercy saved my brother's life. I had been on my way back to Him at the time, but that event had me on my knees, humbled before Him, praising his love and devotion to us followers who have been like Jonah and ran. I'm starting to understand God's calling for me, but I am fully aware I have no idea where that may be. Even running, God was there. His love and power is overwhelming and I thank him for that.
I thank you SRT for this study. I know i'm joining in late, but I plan on catching up. Thank you, thank you! I'm praying for you all today.
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As usual, I am a bit behind on the plan, but want to respond anyway before I read all the wonderful comments above. Jonah was called to do a very hard thing, wasn't he? Go to a big, evil, lost city and proclaim God's love for the people. He didn't want to do it. Was he afraid for his very life? Or ridicule? Or rejection? Or hard work? I giggled when I saw to what extreme Jonah went to try to escape what God wanted him to do! Oh how I would love to know more about Jonah's backstory. I bet it is quite interesting! I love that God kept Jonah under his watchful care even when Jonah tried desparately to escape it. Thank goodness he pursues me and you in the same way. I also love that he brought him back to where he needed to be through the picture of Jesus in the grave for three days and nights. Redemption! Salvation! Our life's work! Jonah is me in so many ways, but I am praying that the end of my story is one of gratitude and thanksgiving, not grumbling. Guess that means I better live this moment in that way!
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