The Well Community Church

Jonah is often seen as a children's story. But the reality is that it is a true story by a real person, the Israeli prophet Jonah. The history and culture of ancient Israel and Assyria give us clues why Jonah struggled with going to Nineveh to proclaim God's message: "Repent or face God's judgment."

Jonah was called of God to be the voice to a dying world. He had a purpose, a calling, a divine assignment. Instead of obedience, Jonah chose the road of preference, comfort, and disobedience. Because of that, he rejected his calling... We too have a divine calling. God has created us in His image to proclaim His glory. We are called to demonstrate love for God and others. We are called to Be and Make Disciples. We are called to be salt and light in our world. We are called to always be ready to make a defense to anyone who asks us to give an account of the hope that is within us. Yet we do not... Why? Because "I am Jonah."

We have all come to the crossroads of major decisions in life. You may entertain the idea of running away from your calling or choose to fulfill it. Jonah could not fathom an evil pagan nation receiving the grace of God, so he fled to Tarshish. He ran from God and tried to hide. But he soon found out that you can run, but you can't hide from God. Sin will cost you greatly, affect the world around you, and lead you into chaos. Aren't you grateful for a God who still passionately pursues us even in our flights from Him?

Our disobedience always hurts other people and always comes at great personal cost. Yet even in our disobedience, God will accomplish his will. God’s calling transcends our personal preference. You can’t hide from God.

God demands all our attention and all our focus. He is a loving, gracious, gentle and jealous God. There are consequences when you turn your back on God and reject Him, and those consequences are eternal. Judgment is real. Hell is real. But there is also hope. God has made Himself known to all people and we have been given the opportunity to place our faith in Christ and follow Him.

Jonah gets a second chance, preaches a message, and the people repent. From the greatest to the least, true revival breaks out in Nineveh. God shows that He cares for the crown jewel of His creation: people. God never changes in His character, but He can change His actions toward people based on their actions.

God is gracious, compassionate and slow to anger. He gave the people of Nineveh a second chance and Jonah was angry that God used him to do it. God grew a tree for Jonah that made Jonah happy. When a worm destroyed the tree, Jonah was very upset. God described His extreme love for the people He created and told Jonah he had no right to be angry that his little tree died. The book ends there. Did Jonah get it? Do you get it? What are you doing to live out your calling? What will you change in your life to follow Him?