Hello All,
(Just a general disclaimer that I must insert here at the beginning. I am but a lay person, like most of you. And these weekly “thoughts” are but my own. Not the definitive word on this or any topic. Just my own conclusions derived from my own study and faith in God. The greatest hope I have for these weekly “thoughts” is to have them be a springboard for further study on your part. Not to be a weekly treatise to be blindly accepted. So, please read them with this intent, this motive in mind).
This week’s lesson from the “Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide”, is titled “Excuses to Avoid Mission”. An interesting look at Jonah and his “excuses to avoid mission”. It is important for us to integrate the daily lessons and deeply examine ourselves in their light. We can avoid our high calling because of “fear” (Sunday’s lesson), because of “misunderstandings about God… (or) believing that success depends upon ourselves” (Monday’s lesson), because of “inconvenience” (Tuesday’s lesson), or because of “uncomfortable confrontations” (Wednesday’s lesson). All these can be ways we justify our actions… or lack of action. Let us look carefully into our own hearts.
But I am not so sure that any of these lessons tell us the whole story of Jonah. The reasons he “not only refused to go (to Nineveh, but why) he ran in the opposite direction” (Sabbath’s lesson). I believe Jonah had other reasons than those listed. Reasons that supported His own desires… not God’s desires. Let’s take a look…
Nineveh was an important city of the Assyrian empire, becoming its capital under Sennacherib. When Jonah was called to speak that very strong call to repentance, the Assyrian empire was already a serious threat to the sovereignty of Israel. The very last thing a faithful Jew would be inclined to do was to have their God lead the Assyrians to repent. A faithful Jew would want their God to vanquish these pagan invaders. I see Jonah’s response to God’s call as a natural reaction toward the enemy of Israel. A reaction that we can understand… and in our ignorance, even support.
The problem Jonah had, is that he really did know God. That God is “slow to anger and abounding in mercy” (Psalms 103:8). “I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm” (Jonah 4:2). Jonah did not want mercy for the Assyrians. He wanted retribution. He knew that God would work to keep the Ninevites from experiencing what they deserved. That God would be merciful.
So how does God get the Ninevites attention? Even though Jonah ran from God, God used that very running to help Jonah. He was delivered on the beach by a large fish. This act alone gave Jonah great credibility with the Ninevites. And lo and behold, the Ninevites repented. Jonah (3:6-10). The king repented (a lot like Nebuchadnezzar’s repentance. Not really the perfect understanding... but a start).
Jonah chapter 4 is the real message here. In Jonah 4:1-11 we see that Jonah wanted vengeance. “I know God will relent from doing this destruction”. Jonah was not concerned with God’s Assyrian children; he was concerned with “justice” so-called. He was not concerned with God’s will, but his own. So, what are you and I most concerned with? Are we concerned with God’s honor... of representing Him aright? Of speaking, acting, living… and of being God’s child and friend who supports our Father of love? Or are we intent on our own honor, on our own reputation. God is the One who looks good in the story of Jonah. Being God’s friend means we are intent on our “Friend’s” reputation.
Jonah was not afraid to run away (Lucifer was not afraid to entertain rebellious thoughts, even in the very presence of God). So, Jonah knew God very well… yet voted against God and voted for the glory of Israel and the reputation of himself as a true prophet. In the end of this story of Jonah, God reminds him of what is truly important. What is truly important to God is His children, our brothers and sisters “who cannot discern between their right hand and their left” (Jonah 4:11). May we see things as our Father and Friend sees them. And may we join Him in His great mission of love, is my prayer for us all.
With brotherly love,
Jim