The LORD gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.” But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the LORD. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the LORD by sailing to Tarshish. [Jonah 1.1-3]
Why did Jonah run away?
We don't see the reason in the first part of Jonah's story. However, in the latter part of the story Jonah's reasoning is revealed:
When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened. This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. So he complained to the LORD about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, LORD? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. [Jonah 3.10-4.2]
Jonah was not concerned with the welfare of the people. Jonah was more concerned with his ministry - his career. Jonah did not want to be made out to be inaccurate in his prediction about Nineveh's destruction! Jonah felt like his responsibility to preserve his well-being superseded his responsibility to obey God. I cannot say how Jonah earned his living, but I am guessing it was at least indirectly tied to his ministry of prophecy. While the lessons from this story are almost endless, this one lesson is likely the most important.
Father, You have spoken to me before from Jonah's story. It resulted in 6 years of missionary work outside my home country. Speak to me again...
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