This will be first of three lessons I will preach from the book of Jonah. While Jonah is most known for being swallowed by a big fish prepared by God, there are so many other lessons that we can learn from his story.

The book of Jonah teaches us so many valuable lessons about God’s grace, love, and mercy.

Jonah 1:1-17

  • The book begins with God calling Jonah to go and preach to the people of Nineveh (Jonah 1:1-2). Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian Empire. In the time of Jonah, they had not yet formed into a world superpower. They had recently experienced an earthquake, famine, and solar eclipse.
  • Instead of obeying God’s commandment, Jonah fled in the opposite direction to Tarshish (Jonah 1:3). Tarshish is believed to have been in Spain. Jonah didn’t want the people of Nineveh to repent and be saved (Jonah 4:2).
  • God causes a bad storm to occur on the sea and the boat Jonah was traveling in was almost destroyed (Jonah 1:4).
  • The sailors then cast lots to try to figure out who is responsible for their terrible circumstance (Jonah 1:5-7). The lot fell on Jonah!
  • Jonah was revealed to the sailors that he was running from the one true and living God (Jonah 1:8-10). He suggested that if they tossed him in the sea, the storm would cease (Jonah 1:11-12).
  • The men did not want to kill Jonah. They attempted to make it to land, but the more they rowed, the worse the storm became (Jonah 1:13).
  • When they realized they couldn’t save Jonah, they prayed to God and tossed him overboard (Jonah 1:14-15). The sea became calm, and the sailors feared God and began worshipping Him (Jonah 1:16).
  • The Lord then appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah and he was in its belly for three days and nights (Jonah 1:17).

Key Lessons

  • Running from God is foolish! Often in the Bible we find people trying to run and hide from God and His will (Genesis 3:8; 4:8-9). People today often try to flee to Tarshish when they avoid submitting to God’s moral standard and plan of salvation (Mark 16:16).
  • Rebelling against God carries a huge price! Jonah rebelled against God and almost lost his life. When we rebel against God, we separate ourselves from Him and put ourselves in a situation to be on the receiving end of His wrath (Romans 2:4-6).
  • God is a God of second chances. Instead of allowing Jonah to drown in the sea, God decided to save him through a fish. He extended to this rebellious prophet kindness and grace. How many times in our rebellions has God provided us with things to give us another chance to serve Him?

Conclusion:

While Jonah was trying to run from God, God was running towards him. Do you need to run to God and submit to His will?