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“From an experience of rebellion
and discipline, Jonah turns to an experience of repentance and dedication, and God graciously gives him a new
beginning … As with the Prodigal Son, whom Jonah in his rebellion greatly
resembles, it was the goodness of God that brought
him to repentance,” my commentary said.
He prayed for God’s
help, he accepted God’s discipline,
he trusted God’s promises, and he yielded to God’s will.
“His prayer was born out of affliction, not affection. He cried out to God because he was in danger,
not because he delighted in the Lord
… He wants God’s will simply because it’s the only way out … Jonah saw the will
of God as something to turn to in an emergency,
not something to live by every day of one’s life … He felt he was
perishing. It’s good for God’s people,
and especially preachers, to remember
what it’s like to be lost and
without hope. How easy it is for us to
grow hardened toward sinners and lose our compassion for the lost … God was
reminding him of what the people of Nineveh were going through in their sinful
condition: They were helpless and hopeless.”
“Jonah admits that there were idols in his life that robbed
him of the blessings of God … One such idol was Jonah’s intense patriotism … Jonah was also protecting his own reputation
as a prophet … When Jonah ceased to be
an obedient prophet, he cheapened himself,
so he’s the one to blame.”
Father God, I fought You and Your will for my for so
long! I’m glad You finally showed me the
depths I was sinking to and lifted me back into Your arms. Do the same for others You love!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
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