JONAH FLED FROM GOD’S PERSONAL CALL

 

Jonah 1:1-16 / Keywords 1:1,2

JONAH FLED FROM GOD’S PERSONAL CALL

 

1. Jonah was called to preach (1-3)

God had a difficult mission for Jonah: to be a foreign missionary to Nineveh.

The city was a threat and wicked. An Israelite had every reason to hate and fear

the Ninevites. How could Jonah preach the message of salvation these Gentile

people? Jonah was not strong enough to obey and ran from the Lord. Jonah’s

attitude is representative of all who are reluctant to share God’s grace with others

who are their enemies, yet are called to love them.

 

2. Gentiles trusted in the Lord (4-17)

Jonah knew what God required and he gave up, volunteering to be a living

sacrifice. Jonah was also fully aware of his own guilt and made no excuses. He

confessed the facts. God was leading Jonah to the perfect place where he could

confess, repent, discover God’s grace and embrace God’s mission. God was also

helping the sailors to have faith. The LORD knows the best way to reveal himself.

 

Prayer Lord, so often I run from you and I disregard others. Help me to have big

heart, like yours and to embrace all people of all nations.

One Word You can’t run from God