Jonah Runs From the LORD
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. Jonah endangered everyone on the ship because of his disobedience.
Jonah 1: 4-16
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.
The LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken. Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.
So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, why Jonah was sleeping. Arise, call upon your God and tell Him to think about us so we do not perish. The mariners were going to cast lots to see who had cause this evil upon them. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah. They ask Jonah what his occupation was.
Jonah told them he was a Hebrew; and that he feared the LORD, the God of heaven, which has made the sea and the dry land. The men were exceedingly afraid the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.
The mariners ask Jonah what they shall do to him that would calm the seas. Jonah said they should take him up, and cast him forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto them. Jonah knew that it was his fault there was a great tempest is upon them.
Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea as to strong against them. They cried unto the LORD, and said, we beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech you, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for you, O LORD, has done as it pleased you.
So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging. Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows.
What Can This Story Teach Us?
The LORD God told Jonah to go preach to the people of Nineveh, but Jonah didn’t want to so he ran away from the LORD God running in the opposite direction.
Jonah was running from the presence of the LORD. Jonah didn’t talk to the LORD or even explain why he disagreed with the LORD Jonah just ran away.
When we are asked to do something for the LORD do we make excused like: I am afraid of being hurt, no one will listen to me anyway I am just a little kid, agree to do what is being asked but in wanting to do it your way?
Whenever we are asked to do anything for the LORD we need to trust in His plan, and understand the heart of the LORD. Know His love and mercy for others. Understand no one can run away from the LORD. Acknowledge always that LORD God is in control of our lives.
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “Jonah Runs From the LORD:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Mar 2015.<https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2518,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2015, March) “Jonah Runs From the LORD:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2518,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2015) “Jonah Runs From the LORD:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (March), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2518, (accessed).
