Chapter 1: Jonah called, fled only to be caught by a fish.
Chapter 2: Jonah repented, consequently was delivered.
Chapter 3: Called a second time. Willing and obedient.
Chapter 4: Nineveh repented. Jonah frustrated and rebuked.
JONAH CALLED, DISOBEYED, CONSEQUENCES.
Chapter. 1:1 NOW, THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME. The call of Jonah was by the book, the Word of the Lord. What better assurance could one have than that of a call based on the Word of the LORD or Jehovah. There is nothing more assuring, when faced by discouragement, than to know that we can turn to the Word, that with which He has called us, for reassurance. He was the spokesman of the Lord proclaiming to the people the will and Word of the LORD. His message to Nineveh was powerful, convincing and straight forward. Because of the call of the LORD, his message was convicting and had a profound effect. His preaching was successful because he was called of the LORD to the task. Ministry is not a profession, it is a calling conveyed by the Holy Spirit. Those standing behind pulpits who have not had a definite call to ministry should find employment somewhere other than in the church. The call of the Lord may be after a spectacular manner or can be a still small voice. It might even be by means of a word of knowledge which the Lord drops into our heart. Whatever method the Lord may use it is still very real to the person called into the service of the King of kings.
2.
The call and commission of Jonah was one of great responsibility. He was to take a message of judgment to a city of such extreme wickedness that their vileness had been noted by the Lord. So wicked had they become that it had entered into the presence of the Lord. Go to Nineveh. Jonah 1:2 This city was the capitol of Assyria. Asshur, a descendent of Ham was it’s founder and builder. Gen. 10:11 The same condition was stated concerning Sodom and Gomorrah. Gen. 18:20 The like situation will prevail in the harlot church in the end of the age. So much so, that her reward will be a double portion of judgment. Rev. 18:5-6 The record of the scriptures show us that when unrighteousness prevailed, the Lord would send a prophet with a powerful message to the people. In mercy, they would warn them of impending events of judgment, except they repent. The end of the age will see a strong ministry of the Word, leading to repentance.
Jonah rose up to flee. Not necessarily an unusual reaction. His purpose was to get as far away from the call and presence of the Lord as he could possibly go. Fleeing from the LORD is not an unusual thing. Many have fled from Him trying to avoid salvation as well as the call of the LORD. How foolish. Who can successfully flee from the presence of the living, Omnipresent God. There is no hiding place available to mankind. Ps. 139:7-12 Jonah is on the brink of learning the greatest and most important lesson of his life. Not a pleasant season for certain, but when he obeyed the LORD there were tremendous results. A life lived in disobedience can be very stormy and filled with turmoil.
Jonah is now headed in the wrong direction. His path is leading him downward, for he went down to Joppa. Joppa, means to shine or beauty. Being situated on the Mediterranean it had an appeal to him as a city where he could lose himself in it’s natural beauty. Then too, it was a port city and by boat, he could get yet farther away from the call of the Lord. He found himself a ship sailing for Tarshish, just the opposite direction from Nineveh. It is most unfortunate for him that this move places him in direct conflict with the Lord. Not a pleasant position for anyone. Solomon had a fleet of ships which were named after this city. They brought gold, silver, ivory, apes and peacocks to him, every three years. 1 Kings 10:22 In an age where so much emphasis is placed on the riches of the world, from the pulpit it is difficult not to take special note of ancient reputation of the ship and it’s destination. Paul associated those who have a great desire to be rich as people who are drowning. How interesting. “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 1 Tim. 6:9