Insights From Jonah

I recently read the Book Of Jonah in the Bible and found how much it shows the theme of wrestling with God. The book is a narrative of a man named Jonah who is called upon by God to preach to the people of Nineveh so they would repent of their sin or face His judgment. Jonah refused and instead boarded a ship headed Tarshish which was in the opposite direction. God sent a storm that hindered his trip and he was tossed in the sea to stop the storm. He then is swallowed by a big fish for three days and three nights before being spewed out unto the land. He preaches to the people of Nineveh and they repent and god withholds His judgment from the them. But this doesn't please Jonah as he had an apparent hatred for these people and wanted the city gone. God prepared a gourd for Jonah to rest under when he was in the heat and then got a worm to kill it to show He has the final say of who survives or incurs His wrath.

It is easy to come down on Jonah for running from God but we all have at some point in our lives. We fear we will ask us to go somewhere we don't want to or do something we may feel uncomfortable or overwheling. We may not board a ship and go in the opposite direction but we may tune out His voice or push our own agenda through instead. We often disobey His will for our lives and often miss out on the blessings that go with it.

It also touches on deep seated prejudences that we all have. Jonah didn't like the people of Nineveh and that's why he refused to go. We let our prejudences get in the way of obeying God's will. It may not be limited to skin color or ethnicty. It may be something like not sharing the Gospel with co-workers because we can't stand them or not ministering to others becuse of fear. We also might not what to go where God wants us because it is different.

There is also a picture of Christ as Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the fish just as Jesus sent three days and three nights in the tomb. Also, the belly of the fish can also be seen as a trial we may have to endure in order for God to get our attention. We have to sometimes be in the belly of the fish to grow in our walk with God.

Lastly, there is the gourd which God shows how he can give and take life. Also, how He can provide us shelter when we need us and that He is involved in all our affairs in this life. He gives all who are willing to repent and obey him and a second chance.