“Men the men were exceedingly afraid› and said to him, “Why have you done this?’
For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them”
(Jonah 1:10).
Jonah’s confession terrified the sailors even more! What could they do with him? It is interesting that while the prophet dared to act contrary to the will of the God he says he fears, the mere mention of God brings fear to the hearts of the sailors. What’s more, while Jonah did not want for the
Ninevites to be saved, God wants to save Jonah at any cost.
The question, ‘Why have you done this?” (Jonah 1:10) was more an exclamation than a question. “What shall we do to you that the sea may be calm for us?” (verse 11). Another opportunity to speak of the love and mercy of God and invite them to call on Him to control the sea! But joining in with their pagan belief, Jonah proposed suicide: he preferred to die rather than to do God’s will. Nor did he help make sure the ship returned to land. The sailors rowed in vain, watching the ship’s sail being destroyed by the storm. They ‘called out to the Lord” (verse 14), while Jonah was unable to pray for his own life. The sailors saw a divine manifestation in the storm, but Jonah saw a chance to escape from his mission. The sailors showed more compassion for Jonah than he showed for the people of Nineveh.
Jonah reminds us of who we are: fearful, selfish, bitter, proud, and envious of the love that God has for others. When he finally decided to obey, he shortened the message and failed to show the option of repentance, giving only a sharp judgment: “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown! ” (Jonah 3:4), expressing his desire for punishment without mercy. God sent Jeremiah and Ezekiel, prophets who were faithful to their mission, to preach for forty years to people who never listened to them. He sent a reluctant prophet to proclaim that the Assyrian city of Nineveh would be destroyed in forty days, and they all repented—the old, the young, children, and animals. God is definitely the one who controls the world.
Are you making plans without consulting with God’s will?
Do you join in with popular beliefs?
Are you trying to avoid a responsibility God has given you?
Calmly consider the foolishness of trying to avoid the task that God has given to you.
Many bad decisions are made because our perspective is very narrow, compared to God’s.
Ask God to widen your perspective to see the situation from His point of view, and accept His plan, even though you can’t see the whole picture.
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Taken from: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2023
“DAUGHTER OF MINE” Do Not Be Afraid
From: Arsenia Fernandez-Uckele
Collaborators: Angelica Cuate & Esteban Cortes
