Over the past several weeks we have looked at the story of Jonah. Here is a recap of the story:
Many centuries ago, there was a Hebrew prophet by the name of Jonah. God told Jonah to go the city of Nineveh to warn them that if they did not turn away from their evil ways and seek salvation from the Lord, their city would be destroyed.
Nineveh was one of the great cities of that time and was an enemy of Israel. Jonah was angry that God was willing to show compassion to this evil enemy of His chosen people. Instead of immediately obeying God, Jonah ran in the opposite direction. He boarded a ship that was bound for a faraway destination.
During the voyage, God sent a massive storm that threatened to destroy the ship and all on board. The men on board were afraid and asked Jonah to pray to God to save them. Jonah convinced them that the only way to stop the storm would be to throw him overboard, which they did.
God then sent a giant fish to swallow Jonah. While inside the fish Jonah prayed a prayer of recognition of God's greatness, mercy, and salvation. After three days, the fish expelled Jonah upon the dry land. God once again told Jonah to go to Nineveh. This time Jonah begrudgingly obeyed.
In Nineveh Jonah spread the message given to him by God. The people listened and heeded the warning they were given. Everybody, from the leadership on down, repented and asked God for mercy. When Jonah saw that they had turned to God, he angrily left the city to watch from a distance to see if Nineveh would be destroyed.
As Jonah waited for Nineveh's destruction, he told God that he wanted to die because he was so angry that God was willing to show compassion to evil people. While Jonah waited under the desert sun, God provided him comforting shade by making a large vine to grow over his head. Jonah was pleased with this.
However the following day God provided a worm to kill the vine so that Jonah would no longer have the shade. In his discomfort, Jonah told God he that he was so angry that he wanted to die. God pointed out that if Jonah was so concerned about the death of a vine, why shouldn't God be concerned about the destruction of a large city full of people.
The Book of Jonah is a very short book that covers a couple of pages in four short chapters. There is little in the way of background to the story for one reading the book by itself. Some study notes, such as those found in many Bibles, help provide illumination to the story. However, to begin to fully grasp the context one would have to study some of the other Old Testament books that were written at the same time. Histories and Biblical study books could also be very helpful in filling in some of the information that has been left out of Jonah.
One can read Jonah without the extensive study and still understand the gist of the story. There is not much in the way of detail or description provided. We don't know what Jonah looked like, or what the ship he boarded was like, or much about the city of Nineveh, and we really don't have to have those details. We do have the essentials of what happened. We have important dialogue that reveals the character of Jonah, and, more importantly, the character of God.
Another interesting technique is how Jonah's motivation is revealed to us. At first we don't really know why he is disobeying God. He is a man on the run and this draws the reader into the story. We have hints that foreshadow the character revelations that we get in the final chapter, but only in that last chapter do we learn that Jonah is running because he is angry about God's compassion for sinners. Jonah fails to see the irony of the fact that he too is a sinner and has been a beneficiary of God's compassion. In the end, the lesson is laid before Jonah which we assume results in his transformation. The story ends with a lesson for Jonah and the reader to ponder.
This is great story telling, perhaps not in the style of best-selling fiction that the modern day reader is accustomed to, but in a basic bare-bones approach that delves deep with an economy of words. We are told what is important for us to know with no extraneous material.
The Book of Jonah can easily be made into a longer story, and would make a great novel. There is much back story that could be imagined based on information that we can find elsewhere. The entire Bible is filled with similarly fascinating stories. Some are very standard stories, while others can be perplexing. If looked at with the right approach and right frame of mind, the Bible is the most interesting book that can be found.
If you have never read the Book of Jonah, I encourage you to read it. It only will take a few minutes. If you have read it before, then read it again and again. Reading the books of the Bible, contemplating upon them, and absorbing them into your mind and heart can do amazing things. I encourage you to open your mind and let the words stir your thoughts.
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 (New International Version)
Showing posts with label Book of Jonah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book of Jonah. Show all posts
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Knick Knack Paddy Wack--It's Saturday Again, Already?
This week Tossing It Out has gone to the dogs and I'll bet some of you are begging me to stop. But before I roll over and play dead on the subject I just want to thank all of you for all of your input on the topics this week. I hope I'm not in the doghouse with any of my readers, but I always like to think this blog is an open forum where everyone can speak their opinions.
One more doggie note before I stray from this topic: In one of my National Education Association newsletters that I received this week there was an article about how the Santa Fe, New Mexico school district uses dogs that have been specially trained to work with children to help students with their reading. The children will read aloud to the dogs for twenty minutes at a time. Since the dogs are nonjudgmental, the kids feel more comfortable reading to them. My wife, who is a kindergarten teacher, confirmed that she had learned about this technique in a workshop and had already been telling her students to practice reading at home by reading to their dogs.
Note to all authors: You might want to start considering topics to write about that might be of interest to dogs. This could open a whole new genre of writing. On the other hand, I could probably think of a few things that would only be worth reading to a dog. Or would that be cruelty to animals?
So anyhow, dog week is done and a new week lies ahead. On Monday's Blog Boggled I will have a few more comments about the topic of comments and I hope some of you will have some comments of your own. Tuesday will see the topic that I had intended for last Tuesday--recycling California style. See how your state compares.
Coming this Wednesday, taking a cue from Powdered Toast Man at Just the Cheese, I'm going to present my version of The Director Dirty Dozen in which I will offer my twelve favorite film directors. On Thursday I will put forth another Debate Day topic which might not be as heated as the last few weeks--the weather is hot enough without the conflagration of fiery debate. Friday is a mystery.
On my Bible post for tomorrow I will be concluding my look at the book of Jonah. I will be looking at this book from a literary point of view. Nearly everyone is familiar with the Book of Jonah, but whether you are or not and interested in storytelling you might want to take a look at this final installment of the Jonah series.
Today (Saturday) I'll be joining representatives of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority to get a tour of the Metro Rail system and a preview of a proposed line that may be running through our neighborhood. Do I sense a post for the future?
Enjoy your weekend and hope you will stop by every day to see what's happening at Tossing It Out.
Did you enjoy my focus on one topic (pets) this week? Would you like more themed weeks in the future? Are there any special topics you'd like to see me cover on a topical week? Do you use public transportation? If you'd like to tell us about your favorite directors, how about doing your own Director Dirty Dozen?
Sunday, August 15, 2010
God Cares About Us
We have seen Jonah, the Hebrew prophet of the Almighty God, run away from his call from God only to be turned around to do what God called him to do. Jonah reluctantly brings the great city of Nineveh to its knees in repentance and saves the people from destruction. Angry, he goes off into a desert place still thinking that the destruction may come. While he waits God causes a giant vine to protect Jonah from the burning sun. Then as quickly as the vine came into being, it is destroyed by a worm that God sends followed by a scorching wind. In his discomfort Jonah becomes angry again and wishes he were dead.
But God said to Jonah, "Do you have a right to be angry about the vine?"
"I do," he said. "I am angry enough to die."
But the LORD said, "You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. But 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?"
Jonah 4:9-11 (New International Version)
God asks a simple, straightforward question and Jonah gives his emotional response. Then comes God's very simple and basic lesson for Jonah. The vine that first miraculously appeared to shade Jonah and then was eaten by a worm was in essence something rather petty. Jonah did not plant the vine or cultivate it to grow as it did, the vine merely grew overnight and died as quickly as it had grown. The fact that the vine's shade had provided comfort to Jonah made him upset when this vine died since now he would be uncomfortable without the shade it had given him.
God points out the relative insignificance of this vine and this event from His perspective and how it all relates to the world. Jonah's caring about this lowly vine is from a very selfish point of view. Jonah only cares about the destruction of the vine because of the discomfort its loss brought to him. The vine is only a temporal soulless plant in the desert and its loss will not affect anyone in the broader scope of things.
On the other hand, the destruction of a large population of people and even their animals is something significant to God, as it should also be to Jonah. The prophet should have a greater understanding of God's character and an unwavering sense of duty to answer God's call without question. If Jonah should be so caring about a mere vine, does it not make sense that God would be caring about the children of His creation. The message that God wanted Jonah to impart to the people of Nineveh and to all who would hear the story of Nineveh is that God cares for all of us. He does not want to destroy us for being sinful, but he wants us to have a chance to recognize our sinfulness and repent for it. Jonah, as well as all of us, should be rejoicing and thanking God for his mercy upon all of us.
"But if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. None of the offenses he has committed will be remembered against him. Because of the righteous things he has done, he will live. Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?
Ezekiel 18:21-23 (New International Version)
But God said to Jonah, "Do you have a right to be angry about the vine?"
"I do," he said. "I am angry enough to die."
But the LORD said, "You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. But 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?"
Jonah 4:9-11 (New International Version)
God asks a simple, straightforward question and Jonah gives his emotional response. Then comes God's very simple and basic lesson for Jonah. The vine that first miraculously appeared to shade Jonah and then was eaten by a worm was in essence something rather petty. Jonah did not plant the vine or cultivate it to grow as it did, the vine merely grew overnight and died as quickly as it had grown. The fact that the vine's shade had provided comfort to Jonah made him upset when this vine died since now he would be uncomfortable without the shade it had given him.
God points out the relative insignificance of this vine and this event from His perspective and how it all relates to the world. Jonah's caring about this lowly vine is from a very selfish point of view. Jonah only cares about the destruction of the vine because of the discomfort its loss brought to him. The vine is only a temporal soulless plant in the desert and its loss will not affect anyone in the broader scope of things.
On the other hand, the destruction of a large population of people and even their animals is something significant to God, as it should also be to Jonah. The prophet should have a greater understanding of God's character and an unwavering sense of duty to answer God's call without question. If Jonah should be so caring about a mere vine, does it not make sense that God would be caring about the children of His creation. The message that God wanted Jonah to impart to the people of Nineveh and to all who would hear the story of Nineveh is that God cares for all of us. He does not want to destroy us for being sinful, but he wants us to have a chance to recognize our sinfulness and repent for it. Jonah, as well as all of us, should be rejoicing and thanking God for his mercy upon all of us.
"But if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. None of the offenses he has committed will be remembered against him. Because of the righteous things he has done, he will live. Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?
Ezekiel 18:21-23 (New International Version)
Sunday, August 1, 2010
When Everything's Hunky Dory
The Hebrew prophet Jonah tried to run away from God's call for him to preach to the citizens of the evil city of Nineveh in order to get them to repent and turn to God. However God stopped him by causing a giant fish to swallow him and return him to his appointed mission. Jonah's preaching was successful and the city of Nineveh was saved from God's destruction. Jonah was angry that God would show compassion toward this enemy of Israel. God asked Jonah if he had a right to be angry about this.
Jonah went out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. Then the LORD God provided a vine and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the vine.
Jonah 4:5-6 (New International Version)
Jonah displays a real lack of respect for God in his act of pouting. He also shows a doubt for what God has said He would do. Even though God said that He is going to spare Nineveh from destruction if they repent, Jonah, after bringing the city to its knees in repentance, goes to watch and wait for the destruction of Nineveh. Does he doubt his own persuasive abilities as a prophet? Or does he doubt that God will do what He says He will do?
As has been the case throughout the book of Jonah, details are sparse and we are given only a limited amount of information. Geographically Nineveh is situated in a desert environment that can be very hot. These verses tell us that Jonah is waiting to the east of the city, which would mean the sun is rising behind him as he waits in what is probably a rather crudely built shelter. As the day progresses Jonah is growing increasingly uncomfortable in the heat.
What does God do for his sullen servant? He shows Jonah compassion by miraculously providing a vine to grow over him to give him additional shade. What does Jonah do? These verses do not say he did anything except that he was happy. Jonah should have been praising God for this miracle, but instead, in his selfish anger, he is content in his own good fortune in having this vine grow over his head and he does not attribute this miracle to God's compassion for him.
When things aren't going our way we sometimes complain to God about why these terrible things are happening to us. How often are our prayers concerned with what we need God to do for us, or what we want Him to give us? Prayers can be comforting in bad times, but they can also be self-centered plaints about the predicament we are in. Perhaps these should be the times of turning to God for forgiveness, support, and praise. When Jonah was in the belly of the fish, his properly directed prayers were heard by God and acted upon. When Jonah was being selfish, God wanted Jonah to understand the wrongness of his thinking by giving him a lesson to dwell upon.
More important than presenting God with lists of our needs is that we approach him with praise and gladness on our lips for all that He has done for us and all of creation. God's blessings upon each of us is a cause for celebrating another victory of the greatness of God. What we want is not the most important thing. What God wants should be everything to us. When we can help bring others to the awareness of who God is and what God can do, then we are doing the work that God has called us to do.
God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him.
Psalm 67:7 (New International Version)
Jonah went out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. Then the LORD God provided a vine and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the vine.
Jonah 4:5-6 (New International Version)
Jonah displays a real lack of respect for God in his act of pouting. He also shows a doubt for what God has said He would do. Even though God said that He is going to spare Nineveh from destruction if they repent, Jonah, after bringing the city to its knees in repentance, goes to watch and wait for the destruction of Nineveh. Does he doubt his own persuasive abilities as a prophet? Or does he doubt that God will do what He says He will do?
As has been the case throughout the book of Jonah, details are sparse and we are given only a limited amount of information. Geographically Nineveh is situated in a desert environment that can be very hot. These verses tell us that Jonah is waiting to the east of the city, which would mean the sun is rising behind him as he waits in what is probably a rather crudely built shelter. As the day progresses Jonah is growing increasingly uncomfortable in the heat.
What does God do for his sullen servant? He shows Jonah compassion by miraculously providing a vine to grow over him to give him additional shade. What does Jonah do? These verses do not say he did anything except that he was happy. Jonah should have been praising God for this miracle, but instead, in his selfish anger, he is content in his own good fortune in having this vine grow over his head and he does not attribute this miracle to God's compassion for him.
When things aren't going our way we sometimes complain to God about why these terrible things are happening to us. How often are our prayers concerned with what we need God to do for us, or what we want Him to give us? Prayers can be comforting in bad times, but they can also be self-centered plaints about the predicament we are in. Perhaps these should be the times of turning to God for forgiveness, support, and praise. When Jonah was in the belly of the fish, his properly directed prayers were heard by God and acted upon. When Jonah was being selfish, God wanted Jonah to understand the wrongness of his thinking by giving him a lesson to dwell upon.
More important than presenting God with lists of our needs is that we approach him with praise and gladness on our lips for all that He has done for us and all of creation. God's blessings upon each of us is a cause for celebrating another victory of the greatness of God. What we want is not the most important thing. What God wants should be everything to us. When we can help bring others to the awareness of who God is and what God can do, then we are doing the work that God has called us to do.
God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him.
Psalm 67:7 (New International Version)
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Getting Angry With God
The prophet Jonah disobeyed God and was swallowed by a big fish when he tried to run away from the mission to which God appointed him. After his repentant prayers, Jonah was given a second chance by God to go to the city of Nineveh to preach a message of repentance so that the city might be spared God's wrath. Jonah's preaching was successful, the Ninevites repented, and God showed compassion and did not destroy them for their previous evil ways.
But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. He prayed to the LORD, "O LORD, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, O LORD, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live."
But the LORD replied, "Have you any right to be angry?"
Jonah 4:1-4 (New International Version)
Readers of the book of Jonah may find it rather curious that we initially do not know why Jonah is resistant about being obedient to God's call for him to go to Nineveh. The initial reaction is that he was afraid. Nineveh was an enemy of Israel and we might assume that Jonah was afraid of personal harm or even death if he were to go there and start preaching a message from the God of Israel. However, like most books of the Bible, Jonah needs to be read and reread in order to begin to understand what is going on. In the fourth chapter we finally learn that Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh because he was angry that God would show compassion to the Ninevites.
This Book of Jonah is one of paradoxes and parallels. On one hand we have this prophet of God, Jonah, who is in the service of God and should be obeying him and on the other we have the wicked city of Nineveh that is going to be destroyed unless they turn from their wicked ways. God is willing to give the Ninevites a second chance if they turn to Him and the prophet who is appointed by God to deliver this message to the Ninevites tries to turn away from God in rebellion. At this point it seems like God should just smite them all. However, we know, as Jonah knows, that God is patient and loving toward his children.
The Book of Jonah is all about second chances. The sailors of the ship on which Jonah tries to flee are saved from destruction when they turn to God; from inside the big fish God hears Jonah's prayer and gives him another chance to complete his mission; and God gives the people of Nineveh a second chance when they call on Him for forgiveness and mercy. Jonah should be rejoicing that his God is all the He said He is and is an everlasting loving God. And yet Jonah is sullen and angry.
We look at all the times in history that humankind deserved destruction and the times that God has actually exerted His wrath. They were deserved times indeed. We can look at ourselves and wonder why we have been so deserving of His mercy and blessings. The second chances keep on coming. If God has been able to so often show patience and understanding toward us, what right does Jonah have to be angry? God has not only protected Jonah from harm, He has given Jonah a talent to reach others to bring them to salvation. And after all he has been through, Jonah asks God to let him die because he is so upset.
One might ask what kind of small, selfish, ungrateful man was Jonah? Yet even Jesus refers to Jonah as having a reputation of greatness. There are times when we all must want to question why God allows certain things to happen. We may think we are living good lives, being generous and kind, giving ourselves to others, and trying to be as upstanding as we can be, and still face bad health, financial problems, and terrible life situations. Our natural inclination is to question God, but we should accept what comes our way. We can lament the bad, but we should rejoice and praise God for all of the good. Anger toward God should never be in our hearts when He has done so much for us that is good.
Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation."
Exodus 34:5-7 (NIV)
We might remember how the Israelites in flight from their captivity in Egypt were continually blessed by God even though they repeatedly complained, rebelled, and fell into sin. After each blessing, the Israelites would later blame God for their plights. They often lost faith and turned away from God. They were also continually given chances to come back into God's favor. God gives us second chances, but there are consequences to our sin that will not be exempted. The consequences of our sin may not be seen by us, but they may be passed to subsequent generations. Sin can be forgiven, but a price must be paid. Getting angry about this does not help. We must humble ourselves before God and trust in Him. When we give ourselves over to God we will reap his compassion.
The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
Psalm 103:8-10 (NIV)
But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. He prayed to the LORD, "O LORD, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, O LORD, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live."
But the LORD replied, "Have you any right to be angry?"
Jonah 4:1-4 (New International Version)
Readers of the book of Jonah may find it rather curious that we initially do not know why Jonah is resistant about being obedient to God's call for him to go to Nineveh. The initial reaction is that he was afraid. Nineveh was an enemy of Israel and we might assume that Jonah was afraid of personal harm or even death if he were to go there and start preaching a message from the God of Israel. However, like most books of the Bible, Jonah needs to be read and reread in order to begin to understand what is going on. In the fourth chapter we finally learn that Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh because he was angry that God would show compassion to the Ninevites.
This Book of Jonah is one of paradoxes and parallels. On one hand we have this prophet of God, Jonah, who is in the service of God and should be obeying him and on the other we have the wicked city of Nineveh that is going to be destroyed unless they turn from their wicked ways. God is willing to give the Ninevites a second chance if they turn to Him and the prophet who is appointed by God to deliver this message to the Ninevites tries to turn away from God in rebellion. At this point it seems like God should just smite them all. However, we know, as Jonah knows, that God is patient and loving toward his children.
The Book of Jonah is all about second chances. The sailors of the ship on which Jonah tries to flee are saved from destruction when they turn to God; from inside the big fish God hears Jonah's prayer and gives him another chance to complete his mission; and God gives the people of Nineveh a second chance when they call on Him for forgiveness and mercy. Jonah should be rejoicing that his God is all the He said He is and is an everlasting loving God. And yet Jonah is sullen and angry.
We look at all the times in history that humankind deserved destruction and the times that God has actually exerted His wrath. They were deserved times indeed. We can look at ourselves and wonder why we have been so deserving of His mercy and blessings. The second chances keep on coming. If God has been able to so often show patience and understanding toward us, what right does Jonah have to be angry? God has not only protected Jonah from harm, He has given Jonah a talent to reach others to bring them to salvation. And after all he has been through, Jonah asks God to let him die because he is so upset.
One might ask what kind of small, selfish, ungrateful man was Jonah? Yet even Jesus refers to Jonah as having a reputation of greatness. There are times when we all must want to question why God allows certain things to happen. We may think we are living good lives, being generous and kind, giving ourselves to others, and trying to be as upstanding as we can be, and still face bad health, financial problems, and terrible life situations. Our natural inclination is to question God, but we should accept what comes our way. We can lament the bad, but we should rejoice and praise God for all of the good. Anger toward God should never be in our hearts when He has done so much for us that is good.
Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation."
Exodus 34:5-7 (NIV)
We might remember how the Israelites in flight from their captivity in Egypt were continually blessed by God even though they repeatedly complained, rebelled, and fell into sin. After each blessing, the Israelites would later blame God for their plights. They often lost faith and turned away from God. They were also continually given chances to come back into God's favor. God gives us second chances, but there are consequences to our sin that will not be exempted. The consequences of our sin may not be seen by us, but they may be passed to subsequent generations. Sin can be forgiven, but a price must be paid. Getting angry about this does not help. We must humble ourselves before God and trust in Him. When we give ourselves over to God we will reap his compassion.
The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
Psalm 103:8-10 (NIV)
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Repentant Leadership
God called upon the prophet Jonah to preach repentance to the people of the great city of Nineveh. Instead, Jonah disobeyed God and tried to run away to another land. God showed a great sign when He sent a big fish to swallow Jonah and return him to land. Once again Jonah was called by God to go preach in Nineveh. This time Jonah obeyed God's call and went to the great city. He began preaching God's message and the Ninevites listened and heeded the warning Jonah was giving them. The people were ready for repentance and revival.
When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh:
"By the decree of the king and his nobles:
Do not let any man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish."
When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.
Jonah 3:6-10 (New International Version)
Jonah had a big job on his hands in preaching to Nineveh. We are told that a visit to this city required three days. One can surmise that the three day estimate is either due to the physical size of the city or the number of people who had to be reached. There was no mass communication and Jonah would have had to rely on direct contact with groups of people and his message being relayed by word of mouth. To reach every one of 120,000 people would have taken a considerable amount of effort on Jonah's part.
His message was effective enough to convince the people to change their ways. More importantly the message and the reaction of the people reached the seat of leadership. When the king and the government in power took this message to heart and not only changed their ways, but also made the acts of repentance and prayer official by decree then God listened and did not bring the destruction that he said would happen if they had not done this. The change in the people helped to bring about change in the heart of the government.
....if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
God hears our prayers when we are repentant and humbled before him. Our nation cannot continue on its path of shunning, rejecting, and blatantly defying God. Any nation that pursues such a course is destined toward destruction. World history has proven this to be true so far and indications are that this is an unwavering fact. Today's society has been rejecting the Godly, Bible-driven beginnings of the United States of America.
Secularists have distorted the truths the were the foundation upon which our country was built. The false concept of separation of church and state has inspired godless movements and foolish rulings by the nation's courts. The founding fathers wanted to avoid a nation that was ruled by any one church like had been seen in Europe, but they never intended to remove God and the moral principles of the Bible from the rule of government. Certain satanically inspired thinking has persuaded many to accept sin as acceptably normal behavior and not something to be rejected and despised.
Many new age thinking churches have been partly responsible for this trend. We as a people have become so afraid of offending others that we keep inching ever closer to an anything goes mentality. In order to become all things to all people, many churches are becoming closer to nothing for God. The church must strive to be pleasing to God and if in doing so it becomes offensive to many people, then so be it. The church is not going to get you into eternal fellowship with God--this is something that can only be gained directly through the personal relationship you have with Jesus Christ.
You and I must change. Our families, churches, communities, and cities all must change before the government can be expected to change. We live in a blessed nation, but can those blessings continue and even increase? Our nation will not remain blessed if we are not on God's side. National change to a synchronicity with the heart of God cannot occur unless Godly change in the heart of those in power comes about. Local and state governments, the courts, the national legislative bodies, and all the way to the presidency will have to humble themselves before God if we want Him to bring healing to the land.
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
Proverbs 14:34 (NIV)
A great nation sets an example for and exerts influence over other nations. The United States has been referred to as a shining beacon showing the way to the rest of the world. We may be losing that reputation in the eyes of many. On the other hand, our national sin may be what much of the rest of the world is looking for in order to pounce upon us and devour us. What will our nation opt for-- righteousness or downfall?
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
James 4:10 (NIV)
When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh:
"By the decree of the king and his nobles:
Do not let any man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish."
When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.
Jonah 3:6-10 (New International Version)
Jonah had a big job on his hands in preaching to Nineveh. We are told that a visit to this city required three days. One can surmise that the three day estimate is either due to the physical size of the city or the number of people who had to be reached. There was no mass communication and Jonah would have had to rely on direct contact with groups of people and his message being relayed by word of mouth. To reach every one of 120,000 people would have taken a considerable amount of effort on Jonah's part.
His message was effective enough to convince the people to change their ways. More importantly the message and the reaction of the people reached the seat of leadership. When the king and the government in power took this message to heart and not only changed their ways, but also made the acts of repentance and prayer official by decree then God listened and did not bring the destruction that he said would happen if they had not done this. The change in the people helped to bring about change in the heart of the government.
....if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
God hears our prayers when we are repentant and humbled before him. Our nation cannot continue on its path of shunning, rejecting, and blatantly defying God. Any nation that pursues such a course is destined toward destruction. World history has proven this to be true so far and indications are that this is an unwavering fact. Today's society has been rejecting the Godly, Bible-driven beginnings of the United States of America.
Secularists have distorted the truths the were the foundation upon which our country was built. The false concept of separation of church and state has inspired godless movements and foolish rulings by the nation's courts. The founding fathers wanted to avoid a nation that was ruled by any one church like had been seen in Europe, but they never intended to remove God and the moral principles of the Bible from the rule of government. Certain satanically inspired thinking has persuaded many to accept sin as acceptably normal behavior and not something to be rejected and despised.
Many new age thinking churches have been partly responsible for this trend. We as a people have become so afraid of offending others that we keep inching ever closer to an anything goes mentality. In order to become all things to all people, many churches are becoming closer to nothing for God. The church must strive to be pleasing to God and if in doing so it becomes offensive to many people, then so be it. The church is not going to get you into eternal fellowship with God--this is something that can only be gained directly through the personal relationship you have with Jesus Christ.
You and I must change. Our families, churches, communities, and cities all must change before the government can be expected to change. We live in a blessed nation, but can those blessings continue and even increase? Our nation will not remain blessed if we are not on God's side. National change to a synchronicity with the heart of God cannot occur unless Godly change in the heart of those in power comes about. Local and state governments, the courts, the national legislative bodies, and all the way to the presidency will have to humble themselves before God if we want Him to bring healing to the land.
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
Proverbs 14:34 (NIV)
A great nation sets an example for and exerts influence over other nations. The United States has been referred to as a shining beacon showing the way to the rest of the world. We may be losing that reputation in the eyes of many. On the other hand, our national sin may be what much of the rest of the world is looking for in order to pounce upon us and devour us. What will our nation opt for-- righteousness or downfall?
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
James 4:10 (NIV)
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Jonah's Prayer
Jonah was a reluctant prophet who ran away when God called him to duty. Although he tried to run away, Jonah could not hide from God. A terrible storm and impending death of a ship's crew awakened Jonah to the realization of the consequences of his ill-conceived actions. He convinced the crew to save themselves by throwing him into the sea where he was swallowed by a giant fish sent by God.
From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. He said:
"In my distress I called to the LORD,
and he answered me.
From the depths of the grave I called for help,
and you listened to my cry.
You hurled me into the deep,
into the very heart of the seas,
and the currents swirled about me;
all your waves and breakers
swept over me.
I said, 'I have been banished
from your sight;
yet I will look again
toward your holy temple.'
The engulfing waters threatened me,
the deep surrounded me;
seaweed was wrapped around my head.
To the roots of the mountains I sank down;
the earth beneath barred me in forever.
But you brought my life up from the pit,
O LORD my God.
"When my life was ebbing away,
I remembered you, LORD,
and my prayer rose to you,
to your holy temple.
"Those who cling to worthless idols
forfeit the grace that could be theirs.
But I, with a song of thanksgiving,
will sacrifice to you.
What I have vowed I will make good.
Salvation comes from the LORD."
And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
Jonah 2:1-10 (New International Version)
Jonah's prayer in chapter two is his psalm of rejoicing and praise to God who through grace saves us all from death when we have faith. Jonah has spent three days inside the fish and obviously this is not his first and only prayer. He has had a great deal of time to pray and to meditate on his situation and his life in general.
He begins this psalm by recounting how he called to the Lord for help when he was in trouble and needed to be saved from his predicament. How many times do we sail along without a thought of God when everything is going fine, but when trouble comes we start turning to God for help? This is Jonah. First he's trying to get away from doing what God has asked him to do, and then later he's calling God to help him. The irony is God wanted Jonah to save others and Jonah in his rebellion later wants God to save him. Thank goodness God always is keeping track of us and is ready to respond to a sincere prayer.
It's obvious that Jonah knows his Psalms--his prayer is formatted like a traditional psalm and quotes directly from some of them:
Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
have swept over me.
Psalm 42:7 (NIV)
The cords of the grave coiled around me;
the snares of death confronted me.
Psalm 18:5 (NIV)
O LORD, you brought me up from the grave ;
you spared me from going down into the pit.
Psalm 30:3 (NIV)
Just as we are not given every detail of Jonah's story up to the point when he was swallowed by the big fish, we don't not know everything that happened after he was swallowed. However from what we can guess from human behavior combined with what we are told in Jonah's psalm, we can discern there was probably a process that occurred over the three days inside the fish. This process most likely included an initial panic and terror, a recognition of the severity of his situation, a resignation to his impending death, a turning back to God coupled with repentance, and a rejoicing in God's eternal goodness and grace which is the source of all salvation for humankind.
God heard Jonah's prayer and knew that Jonah was ready to fulfill the mission that he had been given. Then Almighty God, who had sent the fish to swallow Jonah and keep him in its belly for three days and three nights, commanded the fish to vomit Jonah onto the dry land. Like one who had risen from the grave Jonah was back to continue on his way to save the people of Nineveh.
Do you sometimes forget about God when life is going just fine? Do you find yourself more apt to go to God for help when you are in trouble or need something? Do you ever thank God for bringing you difficult times, sadness, or hardship? Or do you become angry and complain when these things happen? How often do you praise God and worship Him because of who He is and not because of what He has or hasn't done for you?
Like the Lord's Prayer is used as a model for prayer, the psalms can be models for worshipful prayer like Jonah used. Here is an example:
How can I repay the LORD
for all his goodness to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the LORD.
I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the sight of the LORD
is the death of his saints.
O LORD, truly I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your maidservant;
you have freed me from my chains.
I will sacrifice a thank offering to you
and call on the name of the LORD.
I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people,
in the courts of the house of the LORD—
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD.
Psalm 116:12-19 (NIV)
From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. He said:
"In my distress I called to the LORD,
and he answered me.
From the depths of the grave I called for help,
and you listened to my cry.
You hurled me into the deep,
into the very heart of the seas,
and the currents swirled about me;
all your waves and breakers
swept over me.
I said, 'I have been banished
from your sight;
yet I will look again
toward your holy temple.'
The engulfing waters threatened me,
the deep surrounded me;
seaweed was wrapped around my head.
To the roots of the mountains I sank down;
the earth beneath barred me in forever.
But you brought my life up from the pit,
O LORD my God.
"When my life was ebbing away,
I remembered you, LORD,
and my prayer rose to you,
to your holy temple.
"Those who cling to worthless idols
forfeit the grace that could be theirs.
But I, with a song of thanksgiving,
will sacrifice to you.
What I have vowed I will make good.
Salvation comes from the LORD."
And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
Jonah 2:1-10 (New International Version)
Jonah's prayer in chapter two is his psalm of rejoicing and praise to God who through grace saves us all from death when we have faith. Jonah has spent three days inside the fish and obviously this is not his first and only prayer. He has had a great deal of time to pray and to meditate on his situation and his life in general.
He begins this psalm by recounting how he called to the Lord for help when he was in trouble and needed to be saved from his predicament. How many times do we sail along without a thought of God when everything is going fine, but when trouble comes we start turning to God for help? This is Jonah. First he's trying to get away from doing what God has asked him to do, and then later he's calling God to help him. The irony is God wanted Jonah to save others and Jonah in his rebellion later wants God to save him. Thank goodness God always is keeping track of us and is ready to respond to a sincere prayer.
It's obvious that Jonah knows his Psalms--his prayer is formatted like a traditional psalm and quotes directly from some of them:
Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
have swept over me.
Psalm 42:7 (NIV)
The cords of the grave coiled around me;
the snares of death confronted me.
Psalm 18:5 (NIV)
O LORD, you brought me up from the grave ;
you spared me from going down into the pit.
Psalm 30:3 (NIV)
Just as we are not given every detail of Jonah's story up to the point when he was swallowed by the big fish, we don't not know everything that happened after he was swallowed. However from what we can guess from human behavior combined with what we are told in Jonah's psalm, we can discern there was probably a process that occurred over the three days inside the fish. This process most likely included an initial panic and terror, a recognition of the severity of his situation, a resignation to his impending death, a turning back to God coupled with repentance, and a rejoicing in God's eternal goodness and grace which is the source of all salvation for humankind.
God heard Jonah's prayer and knew that Jonah was ready to fulfill the mission that he had been given. Then Almighty God, who had sent the fish to swallow Jonah and keep him in its belly for three days and three nights, commanded the fish to vomit Jonah onto the dry land. Like one who had risen from the grave Jonah was back to continue on his way to save the people of Nineveh.
Do you sometimes forget about God when life is going just fine? Do you find yourself more apt to go to God for help when you are in trouble or need something? Do you ever thank God for bringing you difficult times, sadness, or hardship? Or do you become angry and complain when these things happen? How often do you praise God and worship Him because of who He is and not because of what He has or hasn't done for you?
Like the Lord's Prayer is used as a model for prayer, the psalms can be models for worshipful prayer like Jonah used. Here is an example:
How can I repay the LORD
for all his goodness to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the LORD.
I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the sight of the LORD
is the death of his saints.
O LORD, truly I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your maidservant;
you have freed me from my chains.
I will sacrifice a thank offering to you
and call on the name of the LORD.
I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people,
in the courts of the house of the LORD—
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD.
Psalm 116:12-19 (NIV)
Sunday, June 27, 2010
A Living Sacrifice
Jonah, a Hebrew prophet, tried to avoid God's call by running away. A great storm threatened to destroy the ship he had boarded for his escape and take the lives of the innocent crew members on board. Everyone soon realizes that the cause of their impending doom is Jonah because he has shunned God.
The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, "What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?"
"Pick me up and throw me into the sea," he replied, "and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you."
Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. Then they cried to the LORD, "O LORD, please do not let us die for taking this man's life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, O LORD, have done as you pleased." Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. At this the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to him.
But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights.
Jonah 1:11-17 (New International Version)
Jonah confessed to the men that it was he who was going to cause the ship to be destroyed and all aboard to lose their lives. The men of the crew were now seeing the power of almighty God. But when Jonah told them that the only solution to saving them and the boat was to throw him into the sea these men were taken aback. Even though these men did not serve the one true God, they were not heartless, uncaring individuals. They did not want to kill a man with whom they had no quarrel.
They tried their best to save themselves, but the storm grew worse. They cried out to God because they were afraid that they would die for killing God's prophet and then they followed Jonah's instruction. They threw him overboard and the seas became calm. Witnessing God's power caused the men to turn to Him and they experienced a change in their lives. They were saved in more ways than one and likewise God provided a miracle to save Jonah. He was now going to be taken back to start his journey to Nineveh and this time he was going to be taken back to land via submarine! The Bible says it was a "big fish" that swallowed Jonah. We don't know what kind of fish it was, but it was probably not really a whale. Whatever it was, it was an amazing miracle from God.
But Jonah's three days inside the belly of a fish was a foreshadowing of things to come. Centuries later Jesus spoke the following words:
A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah." Jesus then left them and went away.
Matthew 16:4 (NIV)
Like the pagan sailors, the generation of Christ's time wanted signs and wonders to give them some answers. Many were not listening to God and did not understand what Jesus was telling them. Now we understand what Jesus meant when He talked about the "sign of Jonah". Just as Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and then returned to his mission, Jesus was in the grave for three days and then resurrected.
Like Jesus, Jonah was sent on a mission to deliver a message of salvation and to turn lost people to the Lord. Jonah was disobedient, but through his disobedience he and the others learned that they cannot save themselves, they can only be saved by God through their faith and obedience. Jonah finally achieved his mission, but imperfectly. Jesus compared His own circumstance to that of Jonah's but allowed that Jonah was imperfect.
We read what Jesus said about this in Matthew:
Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you."
He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here.
Matthew 12:38-41 (NIV)
Do you see people in the world today waiting for signs and wonders in order to believe? What signs and wonders do you recognize in your own life? What have you tried to do in your own life to save yourself? What was the result of your efforts? Is there anything you need to toss overboard to calm stormy seas in your life?
The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, "What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?"
"Pick me up and throw me into the sea," he replied, "and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you."
Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. Then they cried to the LORD, "O LORD, please do not let us die for taking this man's life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, O LORD, have done as you pleased." Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. At this the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to him.
But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights.
Jonah 1:11-17 (New International Version)
Jonah confessed to the men that it was he who was going to cause the ship to be destroyed and all aboard to lose their lives. The men of the crew were now seeing the power of almighty God. But when Jonah told them that the only solution to saving them and the boat was to throw him into the sea these men were taken aback. Even though these men did not serve the one true God, they were not heartless, uncaring individuals. They did not want to kill a man with whom they had no quarrel.
They tried their best to save themselves, but the storm grew worse. They cried out to God because they were afraid that they would die for killing God's prophet and then they followed Jonah's instruction. They threw him overboard and the seas became calm. Witnessing God's power caused the men to turn to Him and they experienced a change in their lives. They were saved in more ways than one and likewise God provided a miracle to save Jonah. He was now going to be taken back to start his journey to Nineveh and this time he was going to be taken back to land via submarine! The Bible says it was a "big fish" that swallowed Jonah. We don't know what kind of fish it was, but it was probably not really a whale. Whatever it was, it was an amazing miracle from God.
But Jonah's three days inside the belly of a fish was a foreshadowing of things to come. Centuries later Jesus spoke the following words:
A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah." Jesus then left them and went away.
Matthew 16:4 (NIV)
Like the pagan sailors, the generation of Christ's time wanted signs and wonders to give them some answers. Many were not listening to God and did not understand what Jesus was telling them. Now we understand what Jesus meant when He talked about the "sign of Jonah". Just as Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and then returned to his mission, Jesus was in the grave for three days and then resurrected.
Like Jesus, Jonah was sent on a mission to deliver a message of salvation and to turn lost people to the Lord. Jonah was disobedient, but through his disobedience he and the others learned that they cannot save themselves, they can only be saved by God through their faith and obedience. Jonah finally achieved his mission, but imperfectly. Jesus compared His own circumstance to that of Jonah's but allowed that Jonah was imperfect.
We read what Jesus said about this in Matthew:
Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you."
He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here.
Matthew 12:38-41 (NIV)
Do you see people in the world today waiting for signs and wonders in order to believe? What signs and wonders do you recognize in your own life? What have you tried to do in your own life to save yourself? What was the result of your efforts? Is there anything you need to toss overboard to calm stormy seas in your life?
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Running Away From God
Previously we met a prophet by the name of Jonah, who was called by God to go and preach the Word of the Lord to the people of the wicked city of Nineveh. Today we learn how Jonah responded to God's calling.
But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.
Jonah 1:3 (New International Version)
Verse 3 tells us that Jonah ran away from God's call and went to the port of Joppa, which is near what we now know as Tel Aviv, to board a ship bound for Tarshish. There is some uncertainty as to where Tarshish is, but a city in what is now Spain seems to make the most sense. If the origin of Jonah's journey was his home town of Gath Hepher then Nineveh would have been over 500 miles to the east. However, Jonah's destination for Tarshish would have been over 2000 miles. Some interpretations indicate that Tarshish is a generic term to represent any destination that is far away. This is the real point that is made in this verse--Jonah wanted to go far away to escape from God.
What was this prophet thinking? He of all people should have had an understanding of God's nature. Jonah should have known that there was no escaping God and yet he goes out of his way to make an effort to do exactly this. "Jonah ran away from God", and he goes to the closest major port--Joppa--and buys a ticket on a ship going to a place that was very far. The journey would have taken many days and would have been difficult. He would have been spending a great deal of money for his travel-- I have no idea where he got his money--and he would have been relocating to a strange land. If he had been trying to escape other men or shirk some kind of earthly responsibility his plan might have worked and even been worth the difficulty. However, Jonah was trying "to flee from the Lord". How can anyone flee from God?
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
Psalm 139:7-10 (New International Version)
Have you ever tried to flee from God at some time in your life? What made you realize that fleeing from God was impossible? Are you running from God now?
But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.
Jonah 1:3 (New International Version)
Verse 3 tells us that Jonah ran away from God's call and went to the port of Joppa, which is near what we now know as Tel Aviv, to board a ship bound for Tarshish. There is some uncertainty as to where Tarshish is, but a city in what is now Spain seems to make the most sense. If the origin of Jonah's journey was his home town of Gath Hepher then Nineveh would have been over 500 miles to the east. However, Jonah's destination for Tarshish would have been over 2000 miles. Some interpretations indicate that Tarshish is a generic term to represent any destination that is far away. This is the real point that is made in this verse--Jonah wanted to go far away to escape from God.
What was this prophet thinking? He of all people should have had an understanding of God's nature. Jonah should have known that there was no escaping God and yet he goes out of his way to make an effort to do exactly this. "Jonah ran away from God", and he goes to the closest major port--Joppa--and buys a ticket on a ship going to a place that was very far. The journey would have taken many days and would have been difficult. He would have been spending a great deal of money for his travel-- I have no idea where he got his money--and he would have been relocating to a strange land. If he had been trying to escape other men or shirk some kind of earthly responsibility his plan might have worked and even been worth the difficulty. However, Jonah was trying "to flee from the Lord". How can anyone flee from God?
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
Psalm 139:7-10 (New International Version)
Have you ever tried to flee from God at some time in your life? What made you realize that fleeing from God was impossible? Are you running from God now?
Saturday, June 5, 2010
All This and Heaven Too
Today's blog entry has nothing to do with the Bette Davis movie, but the title seemed topic appropriate. This coming week will be themed around the HEAVEN ELEVEN FAVORITE RELIGIOUS ALBUMS. Since Tossing It Out has temporarily become mostly music, we have been looking at lists of various favorites in different music genres and then looking into some details about those genres. This past week we talked about country music and in the week to come we are going to be dealing with religious music.
Originally I had planned on the eleven favorite Christian albums, but then I realized that I could be excluding some who may be listening to the music of other religions and decided to broaden the scope to include anyone who wants to make a contribution. Even if you've already done your albums on a previous list, feel free to contribute to this new list because maybe there are some who missed your list the first time. Or you can even list some favorites you didn't include on your first list. All music genres can be included. I will be primarily focusing my list on Contemporary Christian Music, but I plan to have at least one Southern Gospel, and one non-Christian religious album by a group that you may have not realized was promoting a religion-- and I'm not referring to Scientology.
On Wednesday and Friday I will have some detailed stories about some of the music. Of course, Thursday is Debate Day and I will be offering up a topic concerning religious music. The theme on Tuesday will be a little bit different as I verve away from music. I will be reviewing a book that is being released this Monday called Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh (pronounced "Shay"). Tony is an internet entrepreneur and currently the CEO of internet company Zappos.com. I "won" the book from the Optimal Optimist and since it is a new release I thought this would be an optimal time to review the book. After all, the book deals with a kind of corporate "heaven". Last Sunday I began a Bible study on the book of Jonah. I plan to continue this series for several weeks. If you are interested in the Bible I hope you will join me in this and add your thoughts. If you are not interested in the Bible I hope you will still join us and add your thoughts as well. I'd like to hear any ideas about the topics we'll be looking at in this study.
If you want to contribute your HEAVEN ELEVEN FAVORITE RELIGIOUS ALBUMS, then please sign up on the Linky list at the top of the page. On Monday June 14 I will be doing my TIMELESS TWELVE CLASSICAL FAVORITES and hope some of you are willing to contribute to this one -- this Linky list will appear in the middle of next week. Then on Wednesday June 16th a few of us are planning two top ten song lists of BEST DRINKING SONGS and BEST DRIVING SONGS. Anyone who wants to join us is welcome cause the more the merrier. I'll have more details on the song lists later.
And do not forget the DIRTY DOZEN MOVIE BLOGFEST on Monday June 21st hosted by Alex J Cavanaugh. A Linky list for this can be found below.
Lot's coming up--hope you'll join me in the days and weeks to come.
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