Taking a Ship Trip

O. T. #2156  "Taking a Ship Trip"

March 24, 2022

Jonah 1-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

How do we know if someone is a believer or a false prophet?            1 John 4:2 tells us: Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.

Just because someone says their message is from God doesn't mean it actually is. If they believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, live like a believer, and teach truths from His Word, then they are a follower.

What does our life say to the unbelievers?

 

LET IT GROW

There are several words mentioned multiple times in the 4 short chapters of Jonah:

• great fish-4 times;
• great city-9 times;
• disobedient prophet-18 times;
• God-38 times.

This book is about the will of God and how we respond to it. (Wiersbe)

In the first 2 chapters, Jonah has 3 experiences: rebellion, repentance, and redemption.

Jonah must have been a popular man in Israel, since his prediction (land lost to an enemy, Syrians, would be restored) was fulfilled in 2 Kings14:25. Jeroboam II was the last strong king of Israel. during that time.

With that said, we know the Lord spoke to Jonah, telling him to go Nineveh to preach repentance to the wicked people there.

How did Jonah react to his commission?

But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord,  and went down to Joppa: and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. (verse 3)

The word flee means run away; make haste; put to flight; down means to descend.

Jonah's reaction was:

• to run away from the presence of the Lord, which is impossible;
• to implement his plan, not God's plan, to go down to Joppa, catch a ship and sail to Tarshish;
• paying the fair to sail on the ship;
• to go down into the ship.

Not only did Jonah go down physically, but spiritually. His attitude was wrong toward the people of Nineveh and wrong toward doing the will and Word of God. The Lord wasn't asking Jonah to the impossible, but he thought so. The will of God isn't a "take it or leave it" option. Jonah's circumstances were not working for him, although he thought so, since he had the money to pay for his ship trip.

What a privilege it is to do God's will, to have a special calling, and to see God work in circumstances. God's plan is always better than our plan. It's in doing the will of God that we grow in grace, become more like Christ, and are blessed to see what extraordinary things God can do.

We have a choice-be like Jonah and flee from doing God's will, or obey it. Are you there right now, friend? Is there something God has told you to do and you have not done it yet? Are you missing out?

 LET IT GO

Help us let go of the worldly things, Jesus.

May we deny our self, take up our cross, and follow You, Lord.

Get each of us where you want us to be in Your Kingdom work.