The Runaway Prophet

Jonah Chapter One

Jonah

Jonah: The Runaway Prophet

The Assignment:• Go to Nineveh – verse 2• It is known as a great city• Their wickedness has captured

God`s attention• Nineveh – the meaning of the

name Nineveh is “the house or place of fish.”

• Nineveh today, is Mosul in the country of Iraq.

Why God has to send Jonah to Nineveh?• Their city will be destroyed in

forty days (Jonah 3:4).• There are 120,000 people who

will die with the destruction unless they repent (Jonah 4:11).

• A prophet has to be sent to warn them and to bring them to repentance.

Jonah: The Runaway Prophet

The Response to the Assignment:• Jonah ran away to Tarshish

instead of going to Nineveh (verse 3).

• Tarshish is the present day, Spain. It is southwest of Europe.

• While Nineveh (Iraq) is in the Middle East.

• Jonah intentionally ran so far away from his assignment to show his objection to the task.

Is Running Away from God`s Assignment Evil?• It is rebellion – defined as

resistance or defiance of authority

• The biblical view of rebellion:• For rebellion is as the sin of

witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. (1 Samuel 15:23)

Jonah: The Runaway Prophet

The Result of Rebellion:• The Lord throw a great wind on the sea

(v.4)• A great storm was also sent (v.4)• The result of the storm was a possible ship

wreck. Other people`s security is affected because of someone`s rebellion.

• Passengers of the boat where Jonah was began to throw cargo. Rebellion causes material loss.

• There was a spirit of terror among the sailors (verse 5). It opens the door for an oppression of fear.

The Result of Rebellion:• Everyone started to cry to their

“gods.”• The prophet was confronted after the

sailors cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah (verse 7)

• The cause of rebellion was identified.

• He has to be thrown into the sea to calm the storm (verse 12). An attempt to kill becomes the reluctant choice. (verse 14)

Jonah: The Runaway Prophet

The Result of Rebellion• A great fish was appointed to

swallow Jonah (verse 17). • Rebellion feels like hell (Jonah

2:1). • Expulsion from God (Jonah

2:4)• Demotion – instead of a crown

of honor, he gets a crown of weeds (Jonah 2:5)

The Result of Rebellion• He was brought low (Jonah

2:6).• Rebellion will drain you of

strength (Jonah 2: 7).• Rebellion will make a person

suicidal (Jonah 1:12).• Rebellion is going to affect

those who are with you “in the boat.” (Jonah 1:5)

Jonah: The Runaway Prophet

Can A Person`s Repentance Be Accepted Despite of the Rebellion? • Yes. Read Jonah 2:7.• What did Jonah pray?• He spoke to God about his

distress (Jonah 2:1)• He cried for help in the depth

of his hell (V. 2)• He acknowledge that it is the

hand of God who cast him away. (v.3)

Continuation…• He recognized that he is dying

(v.5)• He acknowledged that he is

embarrassed of his rebellion (v. 5)

• He declared to God that he will do his vow (v.9).

• He declared that God can save him from his predicament (v.9)