The people in the city of Nineveh became really evil. The people of Nineveh plotted evil against God. They were also very cruel and were plundering in war, prostitution, witchcraft and commercial exploitation. This was recorded in the book of Nahum.
The God chose a prophet by the name Jonah. I assume you are all familiar with the story of Jonah and the “whale”. Well I want to get this straight; there is no account in the Bible that stated Jonah was swallowed by a whale. The Bible simply said a “big fish”. So God gave commands to Jonah the prophet to go and warn the people against their evil doings. Nineveh was probably a feared city and the news of their evil probably spread to neighboring places or even far away. Thus putting fear in everyone including Jonah. This could be easily concluded considering the fact that the Bible recorded that Jonah “fled” from God!
Jonah fled from God!
Jonah sailed for Tarshish. He boarded a boat at Joppa and fled. Then God sent a violent storm and the boat was about to break any moment. Jonah was then thrown into the sea when the sailors found out that he was the main cause for this storm. But God had mercy on Jonah and He caused a big fish to swallow Jonah. In the body of the fish Jonah prayed and praised God. After three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, Jonah was released unto dry land.
Then for the second time God commanded Jonah to go and proclaim God’s message to the city of Nineveh. This time Jonah obeyed God and he went and did as told. The people of Nineveh repented and God’s anger subsided and spared judgment on Nineveh.
Jonah was displeased and got angry at God. He did not understand why God didn’t destroy the city. Instead he complained to God saying that he shouldn’t have been to Nineveh if he knew in the first place that God would not destroy the city. Then Jonah went out and sat down at a place overlooking the city. He waited and waited in hope to see God suddenly pouring down hailstones on Nineveh. God provided Jonah with a vine that grew and gave shelter to Jonah under the scorching sun. Then the next day God provided a worm that ate the vine up. God then sent a scorching east wind and caused the sun to burn on Jonah. He felt faint and wanted to die.
The book of Jonah ended with God having the final say, “Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?”
Are you fleeing from God?
We could see clearly from the book of Jonah that God was angry at Nineveh but then He still had compassion on the city. Therefore God sent the prophet Jonah to warn the city and ask them to turn from their evil ways. God wanted the people of Nineveh to come back to Him. Jonah was the chosen mediator between God and His people.
Jesus was then sent to be God’s mediator and we are now like Jonah – God’s messenger. There is no doubt that somewhere in our life we have heard God’s call. It could be a specific one or a general one but I am sure we have somehow been convicted to heed God’s calling. The account of Jonah goes to show that when God calls you, you will never be able to run away. And even if you think you have succeeded in running away, you are wrong. God’s purpose for your life never changes. He calls each and every one of us for a special purpose.
Disaster strikes when we run away from God. Jonah could even fall into deep sleep amidst the raging sea storm. In the same way we could be in deep sleep (enjoying life) not knowing a storm is actually around us waiting to bring us down.
Let us not be afraid to do the work of God. We could see from Jonah’s experience that God was in control of everything. God was in control of the storm. God was in control of the big fish. God provided Jonah shelter. God provided the worm and also the scorching sun. Although some of God’s provision may not be “good” but we all know that in all things God works for the good of those who loves Him (Romans 8:28). Therefore we can be assured that God is sovereign in His divine calling for your life.
The problem is we couldn’t care less to seek the call.
Do you care?
What does it matter?
IT MATTERS.
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