The word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, the great city, and cry out against it, because their wickedness has come up before Me.”
-Jonah 1:1-2
Was it a fish, or was it a whale? Is that even possible? Did Jonah really get swallowed by a fish? That can’t be true, can it?
By way of introduction, I want to say that I think we get it wrong so often when it comes to some of the great stories in the Bible, and this one is at the top of the list. We miss the big idea for the details and God’s intended purpose for this fantastic story, and how He wants to use it in our lives.
Over the next couple of weeks, I want to share the story of Jonah and how I believe God wants us to approach it. I think it is life-changing for Jonah and us!
God’s Word is a Privilege
What a privilege for Jonah. God didn’t always give messages to people, but to prophets and others, He offered words of wisdom and counsel on occasion. This is the backdrop God gives us. Jonah had the privilege of God coming to him with instruction.
Do you ever think about the privilege we experience by having God’s word with us through Scripture? It is a tremendous privilege, and we should approach it with a feeling of gratitude that God would even care at all about us.
What is man that You think of him, And a son of man that You are concerned about him?
Psalm 8:4
God’s Word is Sometimes Uncomfortable
God spoke to Jonah and told him to “Arise and go” (Jonah 1:2). Don’t be fooled by the fish!
What does that mean?
It means don’t think about the fish until we get to the fish. Meditate on what is there. God commanded Jonah to “Arise and go.” These words were not simply a command but a command with a sense of doing something immediately.
He didn’t ask Jonah if he wanted to go. He didn’t ask Jonah if it fit within his timetable or google calendar. He told him to go.
If God asked you to go today, would you? Before we look at “the where,” we look at “the what.” The what is “to go.” Would you?
God’s Word is Sometimes Specific
God’s word is not always specific, but sometimes it is very specific. This is one of those times. God told Jonah to go to Ninevah, the “great city.” Nineveh was considered a great city because of its size, not its glamor.
God was specific with Jonah. I imagine when Jonah heard these words, he immediately thought NINEVAH? God punched Jonah’s ticket, booked his flight, called for an UBER. But why?
Jonah was told to “cry out against it.” This is simply shouting out God’s judgment against Nineveh. Before we even think about the fish, we need to consider God’s specific call to Jonah to be a firm spokesman for the Lord.
What would you do? It seems like an easy choice to me. God told me to do it, so I do it. But it isn’t always that easy.
God’s Word is God-Centered
In verse 2, we also see that God gives Jonah the reason for His instruction. God said that Nineveh also has a reputation for great wickedness. This was not just an instance of a couple of people gambling and cheating. Nineveh was wicked, and they got God’s attention.
Notice what all we are given in verse 2. God gives the prescription, the place, and the purpose. What a great verse of things to come.
But notice how it is God-centered. The wickedness came before God and it bothered Him. God is always bothered by wickedness.
This passage tells us some things about God.
- God leads us
- God is specific
- God is concerned about us
- God warns the wicked
Here are a couple of questions for you to ponder today.
- Are you Jonah? Has God called you to do something?
- Are you living in Ninevah? Have you chosen to live in the middle of wickedness? Are you trying to hold close to God’s word?
- Are you participating in wickedness? Have you chosen to live a life that fails to honor God?
- How do you think verse 2 can impact your life today?