Title: The Runaway Prophet / Jonah 1:1-12
The word of God came to Jonah the son of Amittai (verse 1). “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it” (verse 2). Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit… and teach them to keep them” (Matthew 28:18-20). But Jonah did not obey the word and tried to flee to Tarshish.
I. Why did Jonah disobey God's command?
First, because they thought it was difficult to fulfill their mission. Nineveh was a large city and a political, economic, and military capital. He did not think that such a large city would be able to be converted by the Jews, a nation of oppression. Second, because it was a dangerous area. Naneveh was a city of blood. It was a dangerous and cruel place where weapons, troops and corpses were wallowed. Thirdly, it was because of utter selfishness. They were afraid that the people of Nineveh would repent after hearing their preaching, so they fled to another place.
II. What Happened When Jonah Disobeyed God's Command?
Jonah went down to Joppa, down the boat, down to the root of the mountain. They did not even go to Tarshish. I paid for the boat, but it was useless. In this way, if you run away from God, you will not be able to reach your destination, and you will not be able to receive the price paid. When the lot was cast, Jonah was also cast. And Jonah did not ask to turn the boat to Nineveh, but to lift me up and throw me into the sea. Rebelling Jonah, he is finally thrown into the water.
Ⅲ. An amazing revival took place
The prophet was thrown into the water while running away, but God still fulfilled God's will. When Jonah was thrown into the water, the sea became calm, and the people feared the Lord and offered sacrifices to God. Jonah, who was in the belly of the fish, was saved in God's sovereignty by offering honest prayers, repentance prayers, and thanksgiving prayers. At this time, the word of God comes to Jonah for the second time (3:1). And finally, a great revival movement takes place in the city of Nineveh. When Jonah proclaimed the word of God, 'In 40 days Nineveh will be destroyed', people heard this and began to believe in God, and even their behavior changed.
IV. Great is the mercy of God
Nineveh repented, but Jonah still did not. He complains again, saying that he knew that you would save this wicked people, and that he would rather die because I was the only fool. At this time, God covered Jonah with gourd vines, and then the worms ate it up. Jonah wants to die again. Then God said, "Is it right for you to be angry that I gathered gourd vines that you did not work and cultivate? If you spared gourds, how much more will I not spare this city?"
I will conclude
Through Jonah, we saw the type of Christ who was resurrected after three days and the type of Israel who betrayed God and fled. We also learned through Nineveh that we can be saved if we repent. I have learned a lesson about the sovereignty that salvation belongs to Jehovah, as well as true repentance, which looks to sovereignty rather than pleading. Lastly, today's Word taught us how great God's mercy is.