Lessons From Jonah #1

SF, Stagecoach, NV

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

     The Prophets in the Bible have much to teach us, so I thought I’d share the principals we can use today, from Jonah’s book.

     Jonah was God’s prophet, told to go to Nineveh and proclaim God’s judgment against them.  Nineveh was the capital of Assyria (today; Iran, Iraq and part of Saudi Arabia) a city of about 120,000.  But Jonah fled to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish, a remote Phoenician city, to hide from the Lord.

     Why would Jonah or any of God’s children for that matter, want to hide from the Lord?  History indicates the Assyrians were Israel’s worst enemy.  And I was once told that the troops from Nineveh killed Jonah’s family.  So the last thing he wanted to do was have God offer them salvation – in any form.  But being one of God’s prophets (or servants), how could he believe there’s any place he could hide from God?

     I’ve never seen anywhere in the Bible, “you must forgive 70 x 7 times” except...” (Matthew 18:21-22)  And since we don’t live under the old covenant, “an eye for an eye” Deuteronomy 19:21 doesn’t apply today.  Thankfully, we have a God of Loving-kindness and Mercy, I can understand Jonah’s rebellion to obey God, I’d be angry if someone killed my family too.  Yet God knows our very thoughts (Luke 11:17 & John 2:25), He new Jonah’s plans – and prepared accordingly.

     Yes, God sent Jonah to Sheol (hell), but to show him what would be IF he followed his emotions instead of God’s purpose.  So in reality, God was giving Jonah another chance to change (repent) and obey God.  How often have things gone so wrong, against our prayers and we don’t understand why God would allow it to happen?  Could it be that God has another plan for us too, as Jesus did for us (Isaiah 53: 4-6)?

              I can’t speak for everyone, but I believe God puts us on paths (trials) to:

1.      Strengthen us. (Luke 22:32)

2.     Change our direction, like Paul on the road to Damascus. (Acts 26:12-18)

3.     Reveal Himself to us. (John 4:48)

4.     Correct the path we’ve taken. (Philemon 1:4)

5.     Develop our fruit. (Matthew 12:33-37)

6.     Complete what we’ve been called to do. (Psalms 139:13)

     The 6 points above would be advantageous to any Christian to remember.  For many lose heart with God, or just get weary with life, while they go through the valleys – learning His purpose for them.  But always remember, He holds our hand, so we don’t fall to far (Psalms 37:23-24).  Best advice I can give anyone, is we have a God who is faithful and a God of fidelity – ask Him to bless you (Jeremiah 4:1-2 AMP) in the time of your trials and reveal what you need to see, then Praise Him in ALL things, because He has a way of working all things together for good (Romans 8:28-29).

Continued on Friday 8/21/15