Lessons Learned From a Rebel

“The word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai saying, ‘Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and cry against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me.’ But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship which was going to Tarshish, paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. The Lord hurled a great wind on the sea and there was a great storm on the sea so that the ship was about to break up.” Jonah 1:1-4

“And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights.” Jonah 1:17

“Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, ‘Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and proclaim to it the proclamation which I am going to tell you.’ So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three days’ walk.” Jonah 3:1-3

God instructed Jonah to go east to Nineveh. Instead, he headed west to Tarshish and into the pathway of rebellion. He knew if he preached God’s message, the Ninevites would turn from their wickedness and follow God. These were Israel’s dire enemies, and Jonah could not bear the thought of their repentance. So he refused and in his rebellion found he was the one separated from God.

Disobedience does not cancel God’s commands. Our lack of obedience does not alter His plan. There is no such thing as “getting off the hook” with God.

We can’t escape the presence of God. Even in the belly of a giant fish, God was there to convict Jonah of his sin.

Resistance to God’s will brings suffering to others. Rebellion has a ripple effect and erodes relationships with God and others. It steals our joy, divides our minds, and causes guilt.

Many times we are given a second chance. Jonah was, but that is not always the case. God wants us to respond to His will by faith and obedience. God always accomplishes His will. Nothing we do or say alters His plan. There is only one way to answer the call of God and that is with, “Yes, Lord.” Anything else results in disobedience.

“...where can I flee from Your presence?” Psalm 139:7