In the Old Testament, there is an interesting account about prophet Jonah. He is such a relatable character to many of us. God commanded him to travel to his enemy country to preach that the city would be destroyed if the people would not repent of their evil deeds. However, prophet Jonah was reluctant to go and instead travelled in the opposite direction from where he was told to go!
Why was Jonah reluctant to go and obey God? Was it because he thought that the enemy state did not deserve the chance that God offered? Was it his way of taking revenge by withholding the warning message he was told to bring? Probably. The enemy state had been treating his people cruelly. What about us? Is there a command from God we are reluctant to obey? Is there a friend who is unkind to us whom we think is undeserving of hearing the Gospel of Christ? What is stopping us from obeying God’s command? We may miss entering heaven when we choose to disobey God.
Matthew 21:29~31 recorded a parable of a request from a father to his two sons to do something. Which son obeyed his father? The elder son who said no but later changed his heart or the younger son who promised but did not go? The context of this passage referred to the Pharisees and Sadducees who were like the second son who were supposed to be God’s people but did not accept Christ’s teaching and do them. Let’s resolve not to pay lip service in our obedience to God’s command.
Interestingly, God did not find a replacement despite Jonah’s reluctance to preach to the enemy. He did not give up on Jonah, though Jonah chose to head in the opposite direction and take a boat ride. The voyage did not go well when it came under a dangerous weather condition that frightened everyone on board. They superstitiously drew lots to find out who the cause was and Jonah was singled out. He admitted he was running away from God and that throwing him out of the boat would appease God and save everyone on board. The passengers were reluctant as they knew it would be a certain death in such turbulent weather in the waters. However, when they could no longer hold up anymore and in desperation, they did what Jonah suggested. Eerily, the sea regained its calm instantly when they threw Jonah into the waters.
Psalm 103:8-10 describes our God as being slow to anger and gracious towards His people. In Jonah’s case, God did not overwrite Jonah’s free will to run away. Do we need a great storm in our life to stop us in our rebellious track? Have we ever tried to persuade a stubborn or strong-willed child to do something he or she did not want? We must keep calm and help them calm down and overcome. God is indeed long suffering towards us and has pity on our many weaknesses. Thus, we must not take God’s love and patience for granted.
It would have been a very sad ending if Jonah died in the sea. However, God provided a big fish to swallow Jonah whole. Jonah stayed alive three days in the fish’s belly. I would not call it a staycation. On the contrary, imagine the adverse conditions of stench, rocky motion, and darkness. Jonah would have lost track of time, felt disoriented, and maybe regretted his decision.
Similarly the Covid19 situation has thrown many lives topsy-turvy, leaving many feeling disoriented. In 2022, many plans and works in hiatus resumed and many of us have lost track of time. As the year comes to an end, it is a good time to reflect on our lives in relation to God and His church during this festive season. Are there any personal regrets and unfulfilled plans and works for God that need to be done? It is good to write them down and commit to God.
As the story of Jonah continues, the big fish spew Jonah out alive and Jonah obeyed God this time and made his way to preach to the enemy city. Jonah must have been very convincing as the enemies repented and heeded God’s warning. They put on sackcloth and prayed that God would not destroy them. God was gracious and accepted their repentance. However, Jonah was displeased and sulked.
Will we receive fallen brethren back into our fold when they repent and return to God? Will we be like the elder brother in the story of the prodigal son, unmoved by the return of his lost brother to his family? Maybe we felt indignant due to our self-righteousness, our warped value of fairness or our jealous reaction for the kindness of God to seemingly “undeserving” brethren? Such a mindset could be deeper rooted and cancerous. If left undetected and unaddressed, a more dangerous spiritual problem is looming. May we reflect and correct ourselves before we become terminally ill and fit only for destruction in the place where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.
May next year in 2023 be a fresh start in our journey with God. May we resolve to work out our salvation with trembling and fear. Let us trust and obey God who holds tomorrow and loves us for who we are, as demonstrated in the life of Jonah.