God Means Business

Not until Jonah obeyed God did he learn that his decision would affect 120,000 people.

When troops in Iraq receive orders to go to Mosul, some may not be too eager to go. But being honorable soldiers, all salute and say, "Yes, sir!" Not so for another man who once received orders to go to Mosul.

Jonah was told by God to go to that city, which in his day was known as Nineveh. He replied to God's orders by running away. When it came to being a missionary, he said in effect, "Don't depend on me, God!"

Boarding a ship in Joppa, about 35 miles northwest of Jerusalem, Jonah thought he could get free of God's orders. But no one is ever free of God's orders. When God calls, a man is going to be unhappy and unfulfilled until he finally comes around to doing what God has called him to do.

We see this in mid-career changes that take engineers and businessmen and teachers into theological seminaries to prepare for ministry. Often the call came to these men earlier. The surrender came after years of trying other things first.

Jonah didn't stay long on that ship. In a storm, when frightened crew discovered they had a man on board who had disobeyed God, they tossed him overboard.

Jonah should have drowned, but Scripture is very clear that God prepared a great fish to save him. We don't know what kind of fish; we only know that God prepared this special one that swallowed Jonah and kept him alive until he spit up the reluctant missionary on shore.

When he was in the belly of that fish, Jonah prayed long and hard, calling on God and concluding his prayer with the promise, "What I have vowed I will make good" (Jonah 2:9).

Jonah learned his lesson. No one can outrun God.

He walked for days under a hot desert sun until he got to Nineveh. He preached what God told him to preach, and though he personally didn't take any delight in the outcome, he saw a great turning to God among the people of that city.

Even the king repented and issued a decree that everyone in Nineveh should call on God. That great city of more than 120,000 inhabitants had a sweeping revival (see Jonah 3).

Jonah learned that when we obey God He is able to do far more than we can ever ask or think. Jonah also discovered that a man can get himself into some terrible messes when he thinks he can run off and do things his own way.

The report on Jonah ended while he still was behaving in a childish way. This time, instead of stamping his foot and telling God "No!" like a petulant 2-year-old, Jonah sulked.

Then God asked Jonah a question that could be answered only one way: "Should I not be concerned?" (Jonah 4:11). That concern is still the reason God calls men today.

Reading Bible Plan

Week One: What do you feel God has specifically spoken to you at this juncture of your life? Do you think God is pleased with your response?
Read: Jonah 1:1-9.

Week Two: Was Jonah's decision to disobey God a private decision?
Read: Jonah 1:7-16.

Week Three: Did a whale swallow Jonah? Go back to Jonah 1:9. Would the fish have to be something we are familiar with, like a whale?
Read: Genesis 1:20-21.

Week Four: Inside the fish, Jonah got serious with God. Look at what Jonah said as he talked with God. What does it mean to you?
Read: Jonah 2:1-9.

Week Five: Jonah was vomited up on land. Now he was ready to listen when God repeated His orders. As you are thinking about all this, what is God teaching you?
Read: Jonah 2:10, then 3:1-6.

Week Six: Do you think you have to look, dress or appear a certain way before God can use you? Jonah smelled of vomit. Yet his message reached even the king. Whom might God reach through you if you are faithful to His call?
Read: Jonah 3:3-10.

Week Seven: Did God do things Jonah's way or His own way? Did Jonah want these people to have a relationship with God? Are there people who in your view are so rotten that you don't really want to see them saved?
Read: Jonah 3-4 and 2 Peter 3:9.

Week Eight: Are you so honest with God that you can talk to Him like Jonah did? When was the last time you had a good, long, honest, straight-from-the-shoulder talk with God? Isn't it time?
Read: Jonah 4.

THREE WAYS TO USE THIS PLAN:

1. Meet another guy at a coffee shop once a week for Bible study.
2. Review the Scriptures every morning, committing at least one passage to memory every week.
3. Keep a spiritual log, reflecting on the questions and Scriptures.

This article appeared in the Mar/Apr 2006 issue.