Running from God's WIll - Jonah - August 23, 2009

Sunday School Lesson – Running from God’s Will – August 23, 2009

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “Finding and Following God’s Will.”

Our scripture is Jonah 1:1-3, 17; 3:1-5, 10; 4:5-11.

Jonah wrote the Book of Jonah about 785-760 BC. Jonah’s candid revelation of his story has blessed many through the ages. The events regarding the great fish and Jonah were an important example JESUS used in reference to HIS death and resurrection. JESUS referred to Jonah in Matthew 12:39-41 - 39 But He answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation demands a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish three days and three nights,[14] Jnh 1:17 so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. 41 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at Jonah’s proclamation; and look—something greater than Jonah is here!

Just as GOD delivered Jonah from sure destruction from the belly of the great fish, GOD, through the passion of CHRIST delivers all who believe in HIM from the sure destruction of sin and death.

Jonah was a prophet who prophesied during the reign of King Jeroboam II from 793-753 BC. This was mentioned in 2 Kings 14:25: 25 It was he who restored Israel’s border from Lebo-hamath as far as the Sea of the • Arabah,[15] Nm 34:3–9 according to the word the Lord, the God of Israel, had spoken through His servant, the prophet Jonah son of Amittai from Gath-hepher.

Let’s read Jonah 1:1-3, 17:

Jonah’s Flight
1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai:[1] Jnh 3:1; 2 Kg 14:25 2 “Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because their wickedness has confronted Me.” 3 However, Jonah got up to flee to Tarshish from the Lord’s presence. He went down[2] Jnh 1:5; 2:6 to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish.
He paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish, from the Lord’s presence.

17 [6] Jnh 2:1 in Hb Then the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in[7] Lit in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.[8]
Mt 12:40

The city of Nineveh was about 500 miles northeast of Israel. It was located in what we know today as northern Iraq, near the current city of Mosul.

For Jonah to go there, he needed to go by land, not by sea. Jonah went in the opposite direction and booked passage on a ship bound for Tarshish. Jonah boarded the ship and they set sail.

GOD knew the wickedness of the people of Nineveh. In the events Jonah recorded we see the heart of GOD and HIS compassion toward those wicked people and a rebellious prophet. GOD called HIS Prophet Jonah. We know that Jonah heard the call of GOD because he responded and went in the opposite direction.

We have to keep in mind that Jonah wrote the book of Jonah. He admits that he was trying to flee from the presence of GOD. He likely had a false notion that GOD was confined to a geographical area and he could run away from HIM. He soon learned that GOD is omnipresent. GOD intervened and turned him around.

This is an important lesson for all believers. Believers often think they can run or hide from or ignore GOD. When GOD calls, it is wise for believers to obediently respond. GOD loves all people and HIS desire is for non-believers to be given the opportunity to repent of their sins and receive salvation. As believers they need to confess their sins and disobedience.

Jonah boarded the ship bound for Tarshish, went to the bottom of the ship and fell into a deep sleep. Was this a relief sleep? Like “wow, I escaped from GOD.” It wasn’t long until GOD caused a terrible storm to come up on the sea. The storm raged and all onboard the ship cried out to their god for the storm to cease but it didn’t. The captain woke Jonah up and gave him the news, the ship is about to sink. The crew believed someone onboard had angered their god/GOD. They cast lots and Jonah was identified as the culprit. The cat was out of the bag. Jonah confessed what he had done. Through his confession, he had an opportunity to witness to the crew about the true GOD of Israel. This had to make a profound impression on all aboard that ship because they had never seen or been in such a storm as they were experiencing.

Once Jonah confessed his sin, he instructed the ship’s crew to throw him overboard. The crew did not want to be responsible for killing an innocent person. They tried to row to shore but GOD was in control and they could not. The pagan crew had more compassion for Jonah than Jonah had for the Ninevites. The crew reluctantly threw him overboard to watch a great fish swallow him and the sea immediately calm down.

I think these events had to confirm in the hearts of those sailors that the GOD of Israel was the true GOD of all gods. Especially, if they later learned that Jonah was found preaching in Nineveh after being swallowed by the great fish.

What a story these sailors had to tell. GOD used them to spread the knowledge of the event and the power of the true GOD of Israel. Most likely the story of Jonah preaching in Nineveh, after being swallowed by the great fish, reached the ears of the sailors, as well as those who had heard their story. What a powerful witness about the GOD of the Israelites.

Even though GOD’S Prophet Jonah was headed in the wrong direction, GOD had a plan and purpose for him. HE knew Jonah would go in the opposite direction. In fact, GOD likely chose Jonah for that very reason because Jonah could witness to the sailors on the ship. In turn, the sailors would have a powerful story to tell others about the true GOD of Israel. It was also a powerful story that related to the future death and resurrection of JESUS.

Nineveh was a wicked and powerful city located in Assyria and it became the capital of the Assyrian Empire. Jonah did not like the Assyrians and hoped GOD would destroy them.

There is another important lesson to be learned. GOD does not give up on those HE calls or those who need HIS message of repentance and salvation. Even though believers may run from HIM and HIS calling, GOD’S love, care, grace and provision for them never changes. Jonah’s heart was calloused toward the Ninevites.

These events revealed the nature and character of GOD toward wicked people who are willing to repent and toward a rebellious prophet. GOD never gives up on HIS children and those called according to HIS plan and purpose. Therefore, never give up on GOD and know that HE forgives and restores to the uttermost. HE keeps on forgiving and restoring as often as we ask. That is what grace is all about. We, as humans, get tired of forgiving. However, GOD never tires because HE knows what is in store for those who love HIM and obediently serve HIM.

Jonah believed he was justified in disobeying GOD because he believed GOD would have compassion on the Ninevites and not destroy them. He stated this in Jonah Chapter 4:2 (This is a flash back because this prayer is after Jonah preached to the Ninevites.) - 2 He prayed to the Lord: “Please, Lord, isn’t this what I said while I was still in my own country? That’s why I fled toward Tarshish in the first place.[1] Jnh 1:3 I knew that You are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to become angry, rich in faithful love, and One who relents from [sending]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. disaster.[2] Ex 34:6; Nm 14:18; Neh 9:17
So Jonah took matters into his own hands. But it wasn’t long until GOD intervened and let him know WHO was BOSS. GOD extends HIS mercy and grace to all.

Jonah’s prayer, while he was inside the big fish, was recorded in Chapter 2. GOD heard Jonah’s prayer of repentance and his vow to do as GOD commanded. I get the impression that Jonah had the notion that a person could only communicate with GOD when he/she was at or near the temple. GOD taught Jonah a valuable lesson about prayer. GOD hears our cry regardless of where we are or the circumstances we are in. HE hears but how HE responds is up to HIM. In this case, once Jonah repented, GOD ordered the great fish to vomit him up onto the shore. We see the authority GOD has over all things - The weather and the great fish so far.

GOD allows us have a fit of anger or rebel against HIM. But HIS desire is that we learn from it and come closer to HIM as we realize that we have been disobedient.
The great fish deposited Jonah safely on the shore just in the right spot for him to head for Nineveh. Just because Jonah rebelled against GOD, GOD’S plan and purpose for Jonah did not change. HE had the message the Ninevites needed to hear and a prophet that needed to confront his attitude toward GOD and others. GOD is a GOD of second, third, fourth, etc. chances.

Let’s read Jonah 3:1-5, 10:

Jonah’s Preaching
1 Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time:[1] Jnh 1:1 2 “Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach the message that I tell you.” 3 So Jonah got up and went to Nineveh according to the Lord’s command. Now Nineveh was an extremely large city,[2] Or was a great city to God a three-day walk.[3] Probably = the time required to cover the city on foot 4 Jonah set out on the first day of his walk in the city and proclaimed, “In 40 days Nineveh will be overthrown!” 5 The men of Nineveh believed in God.[4] Or believed God [5] Mt 12:41 They proclaimed a fast and dressed in • sackcloth—from the greatest of them to the least.

10 Then God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways[9] 2 Kg 17:13; 2 Ch 7:14; Jr 18:11 —so God relented from the disaster He had threatened to do to them. And He did not do it.

The great fish deposited Jonah onto the shore. Reports of other people being swallowed by a big fish or a whale tell that their skin was bleached white. I don’t know whether or not Jonah’s skin was bleached but if it was, he had to be a sight for sore eyes. But if his skin had been bleached, it would have likely made his message more compelling to the Ninevites.

Nineveh was a large city. It took three (3) days to walk across it.

The message GOD had Jonah to deliver was simple, “In 40 days Nineveh will be overthrown!” But it was effective and Jonah seems to be delivering the message without fear for his own life. The Ninevites were cruel, wicked people. Did Jonah’s near death experience in the great fish result in him not fearing death and allowed him to deliver the message of GOD with power and authority? We do not know for sure, we can only speculate.

The Ninevites immediately repented along with their king. GOD saw their hearts and decided not to destroy them. GOD is a GOD of hope and second chances. GOD changed HIS mind because the Ninevites repented.

We know that JESUS used the event of Jonah to relate to HIS death and resurrection. The resurrection of JESUS is the ultimate sign of the love of GOD for all people. The message of JESUS is for all. Those seeking HIM are to ask HIM to forgive them of their sins, believe that HE died for their sins and ask HIM to come into their lives. This is the miracle of rebirth in the spirit, which results in eternal life for all who believe.

You would think that a prophet of GOD would rejoice that GOD had spared the people. But how did Jonah take the news? We have already seen how he reacted in
Jonah 4:2 – He was angry.

Let’s read Jonah 4:5-11:

5 Jonah left the city and sat down east of it. He made himself a shelter there and sat in its shade to see what would happen to the city. 6 Then the Lord God appointed a plant,[3] = either a castor-oil plant or a climbing gourd and it grew up to provide shade over Jonah’s head to ease his discomfort.[4] Lit to deliver him from his evil Jonah was greatly pleased with the plant. 7 When dawn came the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant, and it withered. 8 As the sun was rising, God appointed a scorching east wind. The sun beat down on Jonah’s head so that he almost fainted, and he wanted to die. He said, “It’s better for me to die than to live.” 9 Then God asked Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” “[Yes,]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. ” he replied. “It is right. I’m angry enough to die!” 10 So the Lord said, “You cared about the plant, which you did not labor over and did not grow. It appeared in a night and perished in a night. 11 Should I not care about the great city of Nineveh, which has more than 120,000 people[5] Or men who cannot distinguish between their right and their left, as well as many animals?”

Jonah was prejudiced against the Ninevites, even those who repented. When GOD decided to spare Nineveh, you would think that Jonah would have been pleased. But in Jonah 4:1-3 we find: 1 But Jonah was greatly displeased and became furious. 2 He prayed to the Lord: “Please, Lord, isn’t this what I said while I was still in my own country? That’s why I fled toward Tarshish in the first place.[1] Jnh 1:3 I knew that You are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to become angry, rich in faithful love, and One who relents from [sending]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. disaster.[2] Ex 34:6; Nm 14:18; Neh 9:17 3 And now, Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” 4 The Lord asked, “Is it right for you to be angry?”

Jonah’s response was, in essence, “If you are not going to destroy the Ninevites, then destroy me.” Now that is anger. The LORD asked Jonah in verse 4, “Is it right for you to be angry?” GOD wanted Jonah to examine his own heart and attitude toward the Ninevites. GOD had compassion on the repenting Ninevites, as well as Jonah.

We know from history that Nineveh was destroyed many years later in 612 BC.

Even though the people repented, Jonah believed GOD would still destroy Nineveh. He likely thought their repentance was either not sincere or that not enough people had repented. Whatever Jonah thought, he wanted a ringside seat to watch the destruction of Nineveh. So he found a safe spot and positioned himself where he could see all the action. He made himself a shelter, which did not provide enough shelter. But GOD gave him additional shelter form a plant. (GOD has authority over plants. Scholars believe the plant was a castor plant which grows quickly.) Jonah liked what GOD had done for him and thought that GOD provided the plant as a sign of approval. Jonah had compassion on the plant but no compassion for the Ninevites.
Jonah waited until the dawn of the next day. He was still waiting to watch the city be destroyed but instead, the plant that provided him shade was destroyed by a worm. (GOD has authority over the worm.) Then GOD sent a scorching hot east wind, likely a sirocco which can raise the temperature 15-20 degrees quickly. (GOD has authority over the weather.)

GOD has authority over the environment, plants and animals. The only area that HE has chosen not to have complete authority is over mankind. HE chose to give people the freedom of choice. HE often puts up roadblocks to head us in the right direction.
GOD was teaching Jonah a lesson. HE used the plant to help Jonah to see that he was more concerned with his comfort than he was for salvation of others. GOD wanted Jonah to see others as HE saw them. Jonah had more compassion for the plant than he did for the people of Nineveh. GOD was leading Jonah to think about the importance he placed on his desires and comfort versus people. GOD cares for every living thing.

The Book of Jonah is about the obedience of a great fish, a plant, a worm, the weather, repentant people and a reluctant prophet. In spite of the prophet’s rebellion, the job got done. We see the compassion of GOD toward sinners and HIS compassion and forgiveness for repentant sinners and a rebellious prophet.

GOD wanted Jonah to know that HE cared for the 120,000 people plus the animals of Nineveh. It seems that GOD was saying to Jonah, “If you don’t care about people, think about the animals.” This should have caused Jonah to pause and consider his attitude toward the Ninevites. The Ninevites did not have the spiritual discernment to be able to distinguish their right from their left or right from wrong. GOD knew they needed a messenger and GOD chose the reluctant Jonah.

It seems that Jonah finally learned what GOD was trying to teach him because he candidly recorded the events of his saga in the Book of Jonah. GOD wanted to teach Jonah about HIS grace toward all people and even toward a rebellious prophet.

Jonah records the final question GOD leaves with him in verse 11, “Should I not care?” GOD does care and so should HIS people care for others. Never forget it because HE cares for you regardless of what you may have done. HE cares for all people.