Jonah 1:1 - 16

Running from God

© 2000, J.W. Carter
Scripture quotes from KJV

Jonah 1:11 - 16.

11The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, "What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?" 12"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." 13Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. 14Then 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." 15Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. 16At this the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to him.

What did Jonah tell the men to do to calm the storm? (Throw him into the sea.) The consequences of Jonah’s disobedience had now come to their greatest point.. that of costing Jonah his life. You would think that the pagan sailors would have not hesitated to toss him over the gunwale. As they fought to row back to land, the strength of the storm grew, showing their efforts to be futile. Sometimes people who do not know God act in ways more Christlike than those who are called to do so. They prayed that they would be forgiven for throwing Jonah overboard. As soon as Jonah hit the waves, the waves stopped beating the ship, producing an awe on board. Surely they had never seen anything like this. Jonah’s testimony of the power of his God was true, and they offered sacrifice to the Lord and made commitments to Him.

Jonah is not yet out of danger. He was continuing to pay a tremendous price for his disobedience and would be doing so for days. He had been foolish. He had jeopardized his life and the lives of others. He was now out so sea without a life-raft. We can find ourselves in similar situations when we run from God’s call.

What do we do?

  1. Don’t shut your eyes. Learn about those around you that are unreached with the Gospel of God’s love.
  2. Don’t close your mind. Be open in prayer, giving, and going.
  3. Don’t cover your ears. Listen to reports on the news about the plight of people in other parts of the world, as well as those around you who need help.
  4. Don’t Turn your back. Ask God to show you how to respond to the needs of others.
  5. Don’t Harden your Heart. Ask God to help you love the lost.
  6. Don’t Run Away. Ask God to help you respond to His call to participate in (1) regular ministry to the lost around you, (2) volunteer to participate in mission efforts, or (3) pursue career missions if that is God’s call.