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July 7th

Our bible reading today is another one of my favorites. The 4 chapters of Jonah.

Shortly after I was saved at age 19, I fell in love with the Bible. “When my teammates in college would ask me what I found “so interesting” in my Bible reading, I would say, “Why, these are devine words just for me, from the One who saved me from my sins. Why wouldnt I want to hear what he has to say?

Invariably, someone would say, “You dont really believe that a guy was swallowed up by a whale and three days later was regurgitated upon the land alive, do you?” And I would say, “Since my Jesus believed it, so do I.”

“But Jesus answered the Pharisees, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12:39-40‬ ‭

In four short chapters we learn so much about God, His grace, His mercy, His miracles, and His powerful, sovereign, redemptive dealings with man and nature.

Now just a few tidbits to wet your appetite for the reading of God’s Word.

““Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.””

‭‭Jonah‬ ‭1:2‬ ‭

Jonah was commissioned by God. What an honor that was. God entrusted gospel preaching to Jonah. God chose Jonah to go beyond his borders, beyond his comfort zone to share the good news of salvation in Elohim.

Jonah was commissioned by God to call the Ninevites of Assyria to repentance and faith in the Lord. Wow... again...what an honor. It was always God’s will for His people of faith to go to “the nations” as His witnesses.

But somewhere along the way, the people of promise lost that vision. Even to the point of believing that they were the only ones for God’s favor and grace. That will become obvious in Jonah by the end of chapter four.

God commissioned Jonah to go to Nineveh. Remember, Jonah was God’s prophet in Israel during Jereboam’s reign...during the early days of the divided kingdom. He was well known and trusted too. This huge commissioning would not have been questioned by anyone.

“Except...Jonah questioned it.” So much so, that he tried to run from God’s presence halfway around the world to what would be Europe today.

Question...Was Jonah afraid? Is that why he dismissed God’s command after all these years?

I dont think so. Like Jesus, he slept in a boat while all others around him were panicking in fear of the great winds and waves that were threatening their safety in the ocean. Jonah slept while the crew was throwing the cargo, their financial security, overboard trying to steady the ship and keep it afloat.

No, he wasnt afraid. He knew the Lord of the storm...the Lord of the land and the sea.

Question...Why did he run?

Well, that’s the rest of the story. But we will ask another question. Did Jonah really believe that he could run from the presence of the Lord?

Let’s listen... Ps. 139...”Lord, You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? “Or where shall I flee from your presence”? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭139:5-10‬ ‭

Years before Jonah, the young shepherd David knew that he couldnt out run God’s presence. So surely the old prophet Jonah knew that too. But like all people of faith, there can be assignments from God that the best of us reluctantly and hesitatingly accept.

One more question...Do we find a shadow of the redeemer Jesus in Jonah?

I believe so. Jonah told the captain to throw him into the raging sea. And that when they did that, the sea would calm down and their lives would be saved.

Jonah gave his life to the raging sea to save others. A picture of Jesus giving himself to the raging demons at the cross to me and you who believe Him.

Enjoy the reading

Have a great day.