Title: The Conflict Between God and Man
Contents
※ Bible: Jonah 1:1-3, 4:9-13
On the 22nd, the Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) was the center of the fight against the conclusion of the anti-FTA agreement nationwide. We saw through newspapers and TV that the walls of the Chungnam Provincial Office in Daejeon collapsed, and the windows of the Jeonnam Provincial Office in Gwangju shattered as the struggle was so intense. These violent struggles and demonstrations no longer win public support. 83% of the public opposed the protests. Violent acts are no longer tolerated by the people, even for legitimate demonstrations. However, the problem is that these protests and struggles seep into our lives without realizing it, as the saying goes, “A daughter-in-law learns by cursing her mother-in-law.” In fact, there is always a “struggle” latent in our minds. The problem, however, is that these struggles do not just happen between man and man, but also between God and man.
Today's text clearly shows the conflict between God and God's chosen prophet Jonah. So, through the words of the book of Jonah, I hope that it will be a precious time for you to receive grace by examining the conflict between God and humans and also looking at our current state.
First, conflict with God.
The key to the book of Jonah is whether God's will or Jonah's will is fulfilled? is to do We are well aware of faith.
Abraham did not know where he was going, but he thoroughly obeyed God's command to leave. This is faith. Also, 1 Corinthians 4:2 says, “What we need of those in charge is loyalty.” In other words, faithfulness to the word of God is faith. But in verse 1:2, when God said to Jonah, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it…” Jonah said, “Lord! Isn't that the Assyrian capital that constantly harasses God's people Israel? There is absolutely no reconciliation with Israel, and it is the enemy of the Undead Heaven.” I am questioning. This is where the conflict between God and Jonah began. Jonah thinks that Nineveh must be destroyed. How can Nineveh hear the gospel of God and receive God's forgiveness? That's why I'm not going to preach the gospel to Nineveh.
But God is the One who saves even the enemies if they repent. In fact, it was God's grace that Jonah became a prophet. However, regarding “Nineveh”, he is not following God’s will, but is advocating his own will. In this way, the will of man is stubbornly conflicting with God and struggling. But in the end, God is victorious.
Second, run away from God.
The prophet Jonah, who always walked with God and lived according to God's will, was commanded by God to “Go to Nineveh and preach the gospel” and he fled to Tarshish, the opposite of Nineveh. Why did Jonah run away? that he is right. Nineveh, which is full of idolatry and sin, must be destroyed. Jonah is narcissistic about being right. A person who has fallen into narcissism in this way is contrary to God's command and will to be a witness of the gospel to the ends of the earth.
Jonah felt that he could achieve his will by running away. But God is not only in Palestine, but also in Tarshish, which was considered the end of the earth at the time, and He is also in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. As a result, Jonah's ship, who was running away, encountered a great storm. There, Jonah said that he was the cause of the storm and said, “Throw him into the sea.” In other words, this story means that when you die, you die, and you will not break your “will”. In this way, self-abuse, death and narcissism are the difference between a sheet of paper. The stronger the self-will, the easier it is to be self-deprecating and throw away one's life. Jonah is thrown into the water and goes into the belly of a big fish. Jonah is about to die in the belly of a big fish before he repents. (Jonah 2:4) We cannot run away from God. Obedience is the wisest path.
Third, conflict with the second God.
We are people who have been called by God and are determined to live obediently to God's will. Now, I hope that you will put your will to God's will, not conflict, but obey, and lead a life of peace, joy, and a happy life of faith.
2006-12-19 11:29:09