Jonah Flees From the Lord – Jonah 1-3
When God calls Jonah to go to Nineveh, Jonah runs away. He tries to sail to Tarshish in the opposite direction from Nineveh, as if by going there he would be able to escape from the Lord’s judgment against that city.
This is the first time in Scripture that a prophet disobeys God’s command and goes against His will. Jonah is a good example of the way that disobedience can lead to despair and failure in ministry.
It is important to note that God’s call does not come to those who want to disobey him, but to those who are called by him to serve him and his purposes. If we think we can run from God and evade his discipline, we are wrong!
He went down to Joppa, which was an ancient port. He then found a ship headed for Tarshish and paid the fare. He then boarded the ship and sailed off into the sea.
Jonah was in the wrong because he tried to escape from God’s presence.
This chapter is the first of what will be a series of chapters where Jonah disobeys God’s commands. This is a good example of how disobedience can lead to despair, and it is an important lesson for us to learn. If we will trust in the Lord and follow His ways, he will provide for our needs and protect our lives. He will also bring us back to Him when we have strayed from his path.
